Assistant Director, Media Relations

Description

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill the senior-level position of Assistant Director in our Office of Media Relations. The ideal candidate is a team player with excellent oral and written communication skills, sound judgment and can multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment, with an interest in regional transportation policy.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Media Relations, the Assistant Director will play a key role in driving the agency’s narrative externally and help position the agency as a responsive, customer-focused regional infrastructure and transportation leader. The Assistant Director will manage a team of communications professionals and provide tactical support in carrying out their responsibilities. The ideal candidate is an expert in corporate communications and media relations who has experience in integrated storytelling and driving media strategies in complex organizations. This role requires a creative approach, with a strong focus on proactive pitching in addition to responding to general, time sensitive inquiries. This is a key position within the Office of Media Relations, working closely with leaders across the agency and its executive leadership team to support its $37 billion 10-year capital plan and all issues that affect the organization.

As part of the Office of Media Relations, you will work in a fast-paced environment, where breaking news events often dictate a day’s priorities. Flexibility is necessary, with the need of some on-call, evening, and weekend work as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a team of communication professionals and help support their daily responsibilities, which include but are not limited to responding to media inquiries, proactively pitching stories, managing reporter relationships, and drafting written materials.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level talent, including identifying skills gaps and appropriate mitigation strategies and repositioning roles as necessary to ensure a best-in-class Media Relations team.
• Support the development and lead the implementation of short-term and long-term communications strategies, plans, tactics and metrics, including a multi-faceted media strategy.
• Lead and enhance the agency’s rapid response function both during breaking news and emergency scenarios to get clear and accurate information to key stakeholders.
• Serve as senior spokesperson on a wide variety of topics.
• Prepare summaries of media activity for senior management and develop new metrics for assessing the overall impact of positive and negative coverage.
• Draft and edit a variety of written materials including media releases/advisories, public statements, social media and website content.
• Liaise with partners and affiliates both internally and externally on media relations strategy and messaging to support the agency’s infrastructure portfolio.

Qualifications:

Candidates must present the following qualifications to be considered eligible for this position:

• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public relations, corporate communications, or related field, including a minimum of five years of management experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public policy, government, marketing or related field. 

 Desired:

Ideal candidates will present the following profile:

• Superior leadership abilities acquired through demonstrated record of increasingly responsible jobs.
• Proven experience working with multiple media outlets of various sizes and platforms and securing media coverage across all mediums.
• Demonstrated experience in managing, leading, and developing a diverse professional staff, with a proven record of effective team building.
• Successful experience interacting in a complex agency, whether in the public or private sector.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict, build consensus, and facilitate problem solving and collaboration among various stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with executive level staff, while still maintaining independence and objectivity.
• Strong relationships with multiple NY & NJ media outlets, particularly reporters covering regional transportation and infrastructure.
• Ability to manage the tactical execution of the communications strategy and problem-solving of day-to-day emergencies.
• A news hound for regional and national current affairs and issues, and familiarity with Port Authority’s missions and goals.
• Solid social media presence.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with a consistent track record of meeting deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented with the ability to work well under pressure with the ability to simultaneously handle multiple deadlines and effectively manage changing priorities.
• Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to interact with staff at all levels.
• Superior written and oral communication skills with demonstrated experience in preparing and delivering presentation materials to senior staff.
• Able to manage issues during off-hours, given the 24/7 nature of the agency’s operations.
• Knowledge of Associated Press style.
• Fluency or speaking ability in a second language, particularly Spanish.
• Enthusiasm for discovering the inner workings of the Port Authority and telling the stories of its mission and employees.
• A Master’s degree in a related field is desirable.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should apply to this job by clicking on the "Apply Now" button and submitting a combined cover letter and resume. The Port Authority of NY & NJ welcomes veteran and military spouse applications.

Only applicants under consideration will be contacted.

About The Port Authority:

Founded in 1921, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. The agency's network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities is among the busiest in the country, supports more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generates more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center site, where the 1,776-foot-tall One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.