COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Assistant Communications Director for Public Information works with ADOT
leadership to develop messaging and promote key initiatives to the public. This
position leads a team of public information officers/spokespeople, including
communications support for the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), in a fast-paced
working environment. They will build critical partnerships with news media and
develop proactive positive communication to strategically meet ADOT's goals.
This position also oversees Constituent Services.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon
the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance
measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees
flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and
commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program
and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling
spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona
unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: • Principles and practices of journalism, publications, advertising and public information. • Preparation and production of written and visual materials and materials to be presented orally. • Associated Press Style. • Public records laws. • Social media standards, trends and methods of measurement. • Leadership and management practices generally and with ADOT. • Google and Microsoft software suites.
• Skill in/with: • News management skills. • Personnel management skills. • Solid news judgment, written and oral communication skills. • Computer skills. • Writing and editing for the web and diverse audience skills. • Posting text, video and audio on the web, social media and mobile platforms skills. • Research skills. • Customer service skills. • Google platform and products.
• Ability to: • Maintain community and agency sources and contacts, maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders-including media and public and colleagues. • Handle multiple duties in a team/newsroom environment. • Problem solving, critical thinking and working independently and as part of a team. • Write and produce a story meeting news deadlines. • Interpret technical information to create and edit news content • Do on-camera interviews and public speaking engagements. • Adapt to diverse needs, schedule changes and breaking news. • Make quick and independent decisions and to work under pressure.
• This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Ten years of experience in journalism, media relations, public information and/or public relations. Ideal candidate will have experience working in government communications, managing a team and possess a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Establish strategic direction for public information, manage public information officers serving as spokespeople, provide official agency responses to media inquiries, media requests for information & interviewees on a timely basis. Is a primary agency resource for crisis communications.
• Lead the development of news releases, other written and digital communications, provide senior-level editing of news releases/documents. Pitch proactive/positive stories to reporters/producers through news releases & other channels; including outreach to Spanish-speaking & other diverse media.
• Coordinate with ADOT executive leadership on messaging; with other agencies on joint messaging; with the Governor's Office and other elected officials’ staff on high-visibility topics. Respond to media-related public records requests.

Benefits

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees