Senior Director of Corporate Communications

Georgia Ports Authority•Savannah, GA

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Chief Communications Officer, the Senior Director develops, plans, supervises, and coordinates communications activities across the Georgia Ports Authority’s communications channels. The role supports requests from GPA leadership, media, customers, business partners, the general public, and industry stakeholders. It upholds GPA’s values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Community, Creativity, and Opportunity, and promotes a safe work environment by participating in safety initiatives and reporting unsafe conditions and behaviors. The Senior Director leads content, media, issues, crisis, and employee communications; supports commercial communications and website development; oversees targeted media advertising; and contributes to departmental budgeting and employee management. The position also performs other assigned duties and complies with all policies and standards. The job description notes that duties and working conditions may be revised and that the employee must be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation, without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

Requirements

15 or more years of proven experience in business, news/media, marketing, public relations, and communications in a large public and/or corporate environment.
10 or more years of experience managing and leading a team.
Bachelor’s degree in Business/Communications with public relations experience, high-impact writing skills, journalism, or a related field.
Thorough knowledge and a demonstrated record of achievement in shipping/port industry communications, public relations, employee communications, special events management, and crisis communications.
Strategic thinker with a marketing/communications mindset for reaching target audiences and a global perspective.
Dynamic writing and presentation skills.
Collaborative leadership skills and the ability to interact effectively and professionally with GPA staff at all levels, media, customers, business partners, industry stakeholders, and the general public.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), required upon hire.
Valid state driver’s license, required upon hire.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, without directly threatening the health or safety of others.

Responsibilities

Write high-impact content for all GPA communications channels.
Develop and implement an annual media strategy to guide GPA communications staff.
Monitor media coverage of GPA and respond appropriately to support accurate and fair reporting of GPA issues and activities.
Develop and implement communications strategies for issues of concern to internal and external GPA stakeholders.
Develop and maintain crisis communications plans and strategies as needed to advance GPA goals and protect the organization’s reputation.
Oversee internal communications channels to support effective employee communications.
Ensure commercial communications and website and web development continue to be best in class.
Ensure GPA media advertising is incorporated into targeted business plans and executed as necessary.
Assist with departmental budget preparation, justify requested allocations, and monitor operating costs for compliance with the approved budget.
Direct work, monitor performance, and supervise departmental employees.
Support requests from GPA leadership, media, customers, business partners, the general public, and industry stakeholders.
Participate in safety initiatives and report unsafe conditions and behaviors.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.