Manager, Public and Media Relations

City of Charlotte•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Manager of Public and Media Relations leads CATS’ public information and media relations programs, ensuring accurate, timely, and coordinated communication between the agency, news media, and the public. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Communications, this position is accountable for managing day-to-day media engagement, public information dissemination, and press operations that support safe transit operations and protect organizational credibility. This role serves as the operational lead for structured media relations systems, translating operational and strategic agency activities into clear public messaging. The Manager ensures that media communications are consistent with agency priorities, aligned with operational realities, and responsive to public information needs while supporting executive leadership during high-visibility events. The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community. This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs. The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public information, or public communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Demonstrated experience serving as a media relations lead or public information lead in a public-facing organization
Experience supervising professional staff or leading work teams, including workflow management and performance accountability

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in communications, public administration, or a related field
Experience in a public-sector, transportation, or regulated environment
Experience leading crisis communications and incident-related public messaging
Experience supporting executive spokespersons, media briefings, and high-profile public communications
Experience using digital content platforms and engagement analytics to inform communications planning

Responsibilities

Develop and manage CATS’ media relations program, including press outreach, media inquiries, and relationship management
Establish standards and workflows governing media engagement and public information release
Maintain active working relationships with local, regional, and industry media organizations
Monitor media coverage and identify emerging public narratives affecting the agency
Oversee preparation and distribution of press releases, advisories, and official statements
Coordinate timely dissemination of operational updates and service information to media outlets
Ensure accuracy, consistency, and clarity of public messaging
Maintain systems for tracking media requests and responses
Lead media communications during service disruptions, emergencies, and high-visibility incidents
Coordinate messaging with Operations, Safety, and executive leadership
Support spokesperson preparation and briefing
Ensure rapid, coordinated response to urgent media inquiries
Prepare executive leadership for media interviews and public briefings
Develop talking points, background materials, and briefing documents
Provide strategic guidance on media engagement approaches
Support leadership participation in public forums
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing teams to align messaging across platforms
Translate technical and operational information into accessible public language
Support development of multimedia content for press and public distribution
Ensure message consistency across channels
Track media engagement metrics and response performance
Analyze trends in media coverage and public perception
Recommend improvements to media engagement strategies
Maintain documentation and reporting systems
Supervise public information and media relations staff
Establish performance expectations and operational standards
Support professional development and training
Ensure continuity of media operations
Coordinate with Customer Service, Operations, Marketing, and Legal teams
Align media communications with operational priorities
Support cross-departmental initiatives requiring public messaging
Participate in integrated communications planning