2P22

PAY RANGE: N26

 

AIRPORT PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER

 

GENERAL DEFINITION

 

This is media relations and communications work managing the public information, public relations, community relations, and marketing development activities for the City's Airports. The employee in this class may work on an on call basis and is responsible for directing, through subordinate managers, supervisors, consultants, and other public relations professionals, a large public relations and marketing operation involving the dissemination of information regarding airport functions and services to the news media, airlines, and the general public, and the advertising of airport services, facilities, events, and programs.  Work involves the development and coordination of public relations and marketing programs and activities to enhance the airport's image and provide customer service to the public. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City officials, departmental managers, media representatives, airline officials, community groups and organizations, and the general public are of major significance to the work. Work is performed under the direction of the Airport’s Chief of Staff or designated superior.

 

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

 

·         The position must be responsible for managing the Airport's public information, public relations, community relations, marketing and air service development through subordinate managers, supervisors, public relations professionals, consultants.

·         The position must report to the Airport Chief of Staff or designated superior.

 

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

 

Plans, directs, and implements public information, public relations, community relations and marketing; manages multiple and varied special event programs through subordinate supervisors, public relations professionals, and contractors; develops and implement strategic public relations programs to achieve significant increases in brand awareness; Identifies key media outlets; assimilates information quickly and translates complex and technical materials that can be clearly and concisely understood by news media and the general public; and manages public affairs program budget and contracts.

Serves as the airport's primary liaison with the media on an on-call basis;  receives queries from the press concerning various airport activities, including emergencies; responds to press inquiries within a specific time frame; contacts other airport managers to obtain information necessary to appropriately respond to media inquiries; contacts media representatives to promote upcoming airport activities and events and to arrange for media coverage of such events; directs the development, reviews the content and insures the accuracy of all communication to the media through website, radio, billboard, social networking and print media; prepares and submits press releases as needed; makes announcements on television and radio regarding airport operations; analyzes and measures results of public relations programs.

Directs, through subordinate managers, and supervisors the operations of the Airport Communication Center; manages the call center providing services and airport emergencies to the public, employees and airport tenants; directs and coordinates the marketing of the airport  facilities, manages contracted vendors in the development and implementation of marketing and advertising activities; designs and develops marketing ideas and concepts; evaluates competitors marketing campaigns and makes marketing recommendations designed to compete with them; ensures appropriate marketing and advertising through website, radio, billboard, social networking media, and print media; makes recommendations regarding overall airport marketing and advertising strategy.

Directs a comprehensive passenger assistance program intended to increase satisfaction and improve perception of the airport; directs, through subordinate managers, supervisors, the activities of employees and volunteers providing information to airport travelers; directs contracted staff in the provision of hospitality services to travelers delayed or stranded at the airport; and directs planning and implementation of new passenger assistance and hospitality programs.

Directs the production of new promotional and informative materials to inform airport employees and tenants business associates and the general public of upcoming activities and programs; works with public relations, executive and managerial staff to conceptualize and develop formats for promotional and informative materials; manages printing, graphic design, and audio-visual contracts to produce promotional and informative material; produces the airport's annual report, newsletters, brochures, and training and informative videos.

Directs the coordination of events and promotions at the airport, such as fund raising events, VIP ceremonies, and conferences; works in liaison with groups planning to hold functions at the airport; meets with group representatives to ensure all their needs are met; ensures that appropriate operations, maintenance, and security personnel are informed of upcoming events to be held; directs the arts and cultural exhibition program through a subordinate manager; coordinates planning and organization of events with appropriate airport managerial staff.

Performs related work a required.

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

KNOWLEDGE OF:

 

·         The principles and practices of journalism and public relations.

·         Marketing principles and practices

·         The methods and techniques of disseminating information and promotional material to the public and to all types of media

·         The facilities and media available for disseminating information and promotional material to the public and to all types of media.

·         English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation, and spelling.

·         Public relations principles and practices.

·         Print and electronic media available for the dissemination of information.

·         Supervisory methods and techniques.

·         Airport passenger assistance, communication and hospitality services.

·         Knowledge of marketing through social media

 

SKILLS

 

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

·         Proficiency in technical, oral, written, interpersonal communication

·         Prioritization and organization of differing projects with competing deadlines

·         Acute sense of judgment, tact and diplomacy

 

ABILITY TO:

 

·         Manage shifting priorities

·         Review community advisory notices for distribution

·         Plan, organize, and direct various public information, public relations, community relations, marketing and air service development programs designed to promote the use and understanding of airport facilities.

·         Speak and write effectively.

·         Prepare comprehensive written reports detailing plans for the promotion of airport facilities and services.

·         Develop public interest and participation in programs affecting the municipal aviation facilities.

·         Establish and maintain good working relationships with representatives of the department, press, radio, and television, city officials, community groups, and airline executives that promote good corporate citizenship and enhance goodwill toward the airport.

·         Represent the city before mass media during a variety of emergency situations occurring at the airport.

o   Assimilate information quickly and translate somewhat complex and technical language into materials that can be clearly and concisely understood by general public and news media

·         Manage the budget for a public affairs program

·         Manage a variety of public affairs contracts.

o   Develop a strong-sense of teamwork and ability to both manage and execute programs

o   Provide strategic counsel to both internal teams and clients on PR strategies, activities and tactics.

o   Drive community success through building and maintaining strategic relationships

o   Work on call as needed

 

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE  (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/12).

 

EDUCATION

 

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations or a related area.

 

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

 

Three years of experience writing in a public relations or news media position that involved assessing the key messages of a project or issue and effectively relating them in news releases, articles, or conversations with a reporter, or preparing informational or promotional material for popular release.

 

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

 

            Two years of supervisory or senior consultant experience in an airport or large public or private sector’s Marketing, or Communications or closely related department engaged in communications, marketing, promotional or public affairs work.

 

NOTE:  Preferred candidates have a strong accessible network of B2B, national, business, and trade media contacts.

 

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum and the specific experience as indicated.

 

PHYSICAL, MEDICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

 

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Position must be able to work on call as needed.

 

Classes which typically meet the experience requirements for this class include:

 

Licenses, Registrations And/Or Certificates

 

  1. Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as an Airport Public Affairs Manager.
  2. Must be able to pass and maintain SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) and AOA (Airfield Operations Area) clearance.

 

Class Established:

6/72

Spec. Revision:

CSC - 5/00

Ad Board - 6/00

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 8/12

Ad Board – 9/12

Change in Pay Rate: CSC – 11/15; Ad. Board – 12/15

BC