Senior Manager of Public Affairs

Description

Summary  

Southwest Strategies Group is seeking a full-time Senior Manager of Public Affairs to join our Central Valley team. The Senior Manager of Public Affairs leads strategic client support and project delivery in the transportation space, coordinating across agencies, stakeholders, and internal teams to drive growth, ensure high-quality outreach, and advance impactful infrastructure initiatives. We are seeking an individual who is ready to support unique communications needs by developing tailored strategies and tactics that get results. We want strong writers and researchers – those who enjoy jumping in and learning everything they can about a client or project.    

Southwest Strategies Group is focused on building leaders in our industry and community. Our group of companies is comprised of award-winning institutions across the state: BergDavis Public Affairs, ColLAborate, Katz & Associates, and Southwest Strategies. With nearly 100 professionals with diverse backgrounds and experience and offices across the state, our team is uniquely positioned to meet stakeholders where they are. We approach every project as a trusted partner, leveraging our decades of expertise to provide custom strategies that help our clients get results.    

Position:  

Location and Travel: This person must be located within the Central Valley. This role is primarily remote with varying expectations of visits to satellite offices and clients. Travel is required up to 15-20% of the time. This role will include early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required.  

Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000 (dependent on experience) 

Responsibilities: 

• Support executive member(s) across transportation-related public outreach and infrastructure projects 
• Act as primary point of contact for clients; maintain communication, address any concerns that they may have, present communication strategies, and ultimately build trust  
• Plan, organize and oversee work efforts, assign resources, manage personnel, ensure quality management, and monitor overall project and contract performance 
• Serve as a positive role model and support and respect colleagues, clients and partners 
• Embody core values every day and encourage participation in SWS culture initiatives and events  
• Collaborate with staff and executive team members to develop strategy, messaging and strategic communication plans that includes community outreach as well as government and media relations for clients 
• Manage team project strategy and deadlines for each client, assign tasks to support staff and monitor progress throughout the project, and communicate status updates to clients in client meeting agendas, recaps and reports 
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences  
• Collaborate with graphic designers on branding strategies to create impactful campaigns that meet deadlines, objectives and budget parameters 
• Handle crisis and emergency communications in order to counter negative publicity 
• Ensure team members are informed on project details, understand the overall vision and purpose of the project, and provide them with the context of client goals 
• Conduct media interview preparation and coordination, prepare and review all responses to media-related inquiries, and serve as media spokesperson, as needed  
• Review collateral such as fact sheets, maps, e-blasts, press releases, etc. and ensure the best product is being put forth  
• Participate in the research, writing, and presentation of new business proposals Actively search for business opportunities by attending networking and community events, participating in professional associations, and meeting informally with government contacts 
• Maintain an understanding of current public affairs and communications best practices, tactics and tools to provide strategic direction to clients 
• Actively follow and maintain understanding of local currents events as well as political and media landscapes 
• Additional duties as assigned  

What we offer:  

• Competitive salary with opportunities for growth  
• Benefits including comprehensive medical care, flexible spending accounts, paid time off and profit sharing  
• Opportunities to work on impactful projects that affect the future of our state  
• Opportunities to engage with some of the region's most influential stakeholders  

Requirements

Qualifications  

• 10+ years of relevant experience in public relations or related field  
• Bachelor's degree in a related field  
• Proven ability to manage large projects as well as small teams on one or more sizable accounts preferred 
• Experience with transportation clients or projects preferred 
• Professional or specialty certification (e.g., APR)