Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist (Director), IS-1035-15

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

7d•$169,279 - $197,200•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs (OCEA) at the Smithsonian Institution (SI). OPA is responsible for managing public affairs and communications for the Institution. OPA is the main point of contact for the Smithsonian with the news media. The department ensures that the public is informed about the Smithsonian’s activities through its various platforms.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university and/or 10-15 years of related experience.
At least five years of leadership or supervisory experience managing a public affairs office.
Mastery knowledge of the principles, methods, practices, and techniques of communications combined with the highest analytical skills to plan optimal ways to convey information on controversial and often hotly contested issues to target audiences that are diverse and represent a wide variety of viewpoints, concerns, and interests.
Mastery developing new methods and approaches in planning, integrating, and evaluating the overall public affairs program.
Expert representational skills necessary to create meaningful communication interchanges with individuals and groups with antagonistic and opposing positions.
Exceptional skills to tactfully offer constructive advice and criticism to senior executive staff.
Skill in oral and written communication in order to manage the creation of diverse communication materials, including social media content, articles, briefings, news releases, and videos, to effectively convey both technical and non-technical information.
Skill in preparing speeches and briefing papers for senior officials.
Must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Director of OPA with responsibility for the development, management, and execution of all aspects of public affairs, digital media, web, social media, internal communications, crisis communications and media relations for the Smithsonian Institution (SI).
Plans, organizes, directs, and supervises the personnel and activities of OPA through subordinate supervisors.
Plans and carries out the full range of supervisory and managerial authorities related to assignment of work, coordination with other programs, management advisory services, technical work direction, evaluation of subordinates, approving selections for nonsupervisory positions, recommending selections for supervisory positions, resolving serious complaints, approving or proposing disciplinary actions, determining or approving training needs, budget management to include approving expenditures of funds, recommending or approving awards and bonuses, determining means to improve productivity, and other delegated authorities.
Exercises delegated managerial authority to set annual and multi-year plans and schedules for projects accomplished in-house and by contract.
Determines goals and objectives for OPA, where emphasis is on the efficiencies on utilizing resources including realignments to address shortfalls or to satisfy priority needs.
Ensures the development and implementation of performance metrics.
Formulates, develops and recommends strategic communications plans and programs for SI, including proactive crisis communications approaches.
Serves as principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary and other top SI executives using the best communications techniques to ensure that SI goals and objectives are presented in a positive manner.
Screens and approves significant news releases, speeches, papers, digital, video, and other communications products prior to release.
Analyzes public affairs needs in consideration of both SI national and international programs and activities.
Oversees the development and execution of publicity and digital campaigns that provide easy to understand information on the full range of SI activities and programs.
Critically analyzes communications programs to identify any shortfalls and initiate innovative improvements.
Establishes and maintains wide-ranging relationships with media representatives (broadcast, print, and on-line) including both national and international sources.
Creates and manages SI-wide communications campaigns and initiatives.
Coordinates and supports communications needs for multiple Smithsonian central offices.
Provides advice, guidance and consultation to public affairs offices in all SI units regarding the senior leadership’s positions on issues, Institution goals, strategies and objectives.
Acts pro-actively to ensure that public affairs campaigns in the units coordinate with and support OPA efforts and do not conflict with broader activities.
Establishes internal public affairs guidelines for application throughout SI.
Coordinates with and supports offices of government relations, visitor services, special events and marketing.
Supports and attends special events, galas, ceremonies, VIP tours, etc. to ensure appropriate and positive public coverage.
Coordinates and supports offices of global affairs, general counsel, Smithsonian Enterprises, digital transformation, facilities, and other central divisions.
Leads, coordinates and supports public and media relations for the Secretary of the Institution.
Performs related duties as assigned