Manager, Public and Media Relations
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.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field and 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
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
