Airport Director II - Communications (Senior Communications Director)

City of Atlanta•College Park, GA

About The Position

The Airport Director II – Communications, also referred to as Senior Communications Director, provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Communications Division at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Reporting to the Assistant General Manager, Communications & Marketing, the Director serves as a principal voice and senior communications authority for the Airport. The role develops and executes integrated communications strategies to advance ATL’s mission, strengthen its reputation, promote its operational and economic significance, and maintain public confidence. It oversees media relations, public information, strategic storytelling, executive communications, and crisis communications, and advises Airport leadership on communications strategy, media positioning, emerging issues, public perception, and reputational considerations. The Director leads proactive media outreach by identifying newsworthy developments, developing story pitches, cultivating relationships with journalists and editors, and pursuing earned media coverage. The role also exercises strong news judgment and editorial leadership, rapidly verifies information, prepares accurate written materials under demanding deadlines, and responds to breaking news, operational disruptions, sensitive issues, and reputational risks. It coordinates communications across Airport divisions and with relevant City and external partners, and manages communications priorities, resources, assigned personnel, procedures, and performance measures. The role operates in a fast-paced office and airport environment, with frequent interaction with executive leadership, media representatives, operational personnel, and external stakeholders. It requires responsiveness to time-sensitive matters and flexibility as news and operational conditions change. Evening, weekend, holiday, and on-call availability is required during emergencies, major incidents, significant operational disruptions, and other high-priority situations. Work may involve travel throughout the Airport campus, attendance at press events and operational sites, indoor or outdoor conditions, varying weather, and physical activity including sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and frequent use of stairs or ladders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, or a closely related field.
At least six years of progressively responsible professional experience in journalism, public relations, media relations, strategic communications, or a related field.
Experience managing media relationships, developing communications materials, and responding to media inquiries under deadline pressure.
Valid state-issued driver’s license.
Extensive knowledge of strategic communications, journalism, media relations, public relations, editorial practices, crisis communications, and reputation management.
Expertise in proactive media relations, including pitching stories, developing news angles, securing earned media coverage, and cultivating media relationships.
Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills, including the ability to create accurate, compelling, publication-ready content under tight deadlines.
Strong news judgment and ability to identify emerging stories, anticipate media interest, recognize reputational risks, and determine appropriate responses.
Ability to respond quickly and professionally to breaking news, evolving incidents, urgent media inquiries, and sensitive issues while maintaining accuracy and sound judgment.
Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources and translate it into clear, concise, fact-based messages for diverse audiences.
Understanding of media deadlines, newsroom operations, broadcast and digital news cycles, interview preparation, and high-profile public communications.
Ability to develop strategic media plans, execute outreach campaigns, and measure earned-media effectiveness and quality.
Ability to serve as a credible spokesperson, conduct media interviews, prepare executive spokespeople, and communicate effectively under pressure.
Knowledge of crisis communications, emergency public information, issue management, reputational risk assessment, and applicable public records, confidentiality, legal, and regulatory considerations.
Knowledge of airport operations, aviation industry practices, and communications considerations for a large, complex, continuously operating transportation hub.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion and make timely recommendations on sensitive matters involving public safety, operational impacts, leadership, and public perception.
Ability to build effective working relationships with executive leadership, Airport departments, City officials, media representatives, and external stakeholders.
Leadership, coaching, personnel management, and performance evaluation skills.
Proficiency with media monitoring platforms, digital communications tools, content management systems, and analytics used to evaluate coverage and communications effectiveness.

Nice To Haves

Success pitching and securing proactive earned media coverage across print, television, radio, digital, and other relevant platforms.
Established relationships with journalists, editors, producers, and media organizations, with a record of generating story opportunities and meaningful coverage.
Experience preparing executives and subject-matter experts for interviews, serving as a spokesperson, and translating complex issues into concise, credible messages.
Experience in aviation, transportation, emergency public information, municipal government, or another highly visible, complex operating environment.
Experience supervising communications staff, managing media relations programs, and establishing performance standards and rapid-response procedures.
Ability to develop proactive strategies that generate positive, substantive coverage while maintaining credibility, accuracy, and appropriate balance.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day direction for the Communications Division and its assigned functions.
Develop and implement proactive communications strategies that advance Airport priorities and strengthen ATL’s reputation and public understanding.
Identify newsworthy developments, prepare story pitches and media proposals, conduct proactive outreach, and pursue earned media coverage.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with local, regional, national, and international journalists, editors, producers, assignment desks, and other media representatives.
Position Airport executives and subject-matter experts as credible sources on aviation, transportation, airport operations, customer experience, infrastructure, technology, sustainability, and related topics.
Monitor news coverage, public discussion, and emerging issues; assess opportunities and reputational concerns and recommend communications strategies.
Write, edit, and approve press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, executive messages, interview briefs, speeches, FAQs, and other communications materials.
Set editorial standards and review communications from staff, subject-matter experts, and Airport departments for accuracy, clarity, consistency, context, and alignment with organizational priorities.
Lead communications responses to breaking news, emerging incidents, operational disruptions, significant delays, public concerns, and other urgent developments.
Gather, verify, and synthesize information from Airport and external sources; prepare holding statements, media responses, public updates, and follow-up communications.
Determine what information can be confirmed and released, coordinate communications across channels and departments, and escalate significant matters when appropriate.
Maintain readiness for urgent communications outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; establish rapid-response procedures and escalation protocols.
Develop and maintain crisis communications plans and lead communications strategy during emergencies, significant incidents, sensitive investigations, and public controversies.
Advise executive leadership on communications risks, public messaging, media positioning, reputational implications, and response strategies.
Serve as a senior spokesperson when designated and prepare executives and subject-matter experts for interviews, press conferences, and public briefings.
Coach spokespersons on interview preparation, message delivery, challenging questions, on-camera communication, and message discipline.
Prepare speeches, briefing documents, executive correspondence, presentations, and public remarks; represent the Communications Division in executive and interdepartmental engagements.
Coordinate with Airport leadership and departments to identify story opportunities, communicate organizational priorities, and disseminate information in a timely manner.
Develop communications plans for major Airport initiatives, capital projects, service improvements, policy changes, and other developments affecting employees, passengers, stakeholders, or the public.
Oversee internal communications, employee updates, leadership messages, and organizational announcements as assigned.
Establish division-wide communications priorities, media response protocols, performance expectations, editorial standards, and operating procedures.
Direct, coach, and evaluate assigned communications personnel and promote accuracy, initiative, responsiveness, professionalism, and accountability.
Establish and monitor performance measures for outreach, earned media coverage, message accuracy, response times, audience engagement, and communications effectiveness.
Oversee budgets, procurement, consultant relationships, and resource allocation in accordance with City policies and procedures.
Ensure communications activities comply with public records requirements, City policies, approval protocols, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Perform other related duties as assigned.