Media Relations Manager (CC5

Media Relations Manager (CC5)

At the Department of Commerce we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

The Communications Team provides comprehensive communications services for the agency, including media relations, digital communications, graphic design and branding, agency reports, website services and internal communications. The team contributes to the agency’s mission of strengthening communities by ensuring communication is clear, concise, written in plain language and accessible to all.

The Media Relations and Public Information Manager reports to the Deputy Communications Director and plans, organizes, directs, and controls multiple information and public relations programs for the agency. The position serves as the agency’s senior public information official, advising the Director, Chief of Staff, and executive leadership on public information policy, issues, risk, legislative communication strategies, and statewide public messaging. The Media Relations and Public Information Manager represents the agency and the Director at high‑impact public meetings, legislative briefings, hearings, news conferences, cross‑agency coordination events and public policy communications activities.

The position leads the development of agency‑wide public information goals, frameworks, accessibility standards and public engagement strategies.

• Respond to media inquiries on behalf of the Director and the agency regarding complex, sensitive, cross‑program issues involving legislative, policy, and programmatic impacts.
• Represent the Director and agency as spokesperson at press briefings, public hearings, legislative committee meetings, statewide partner events.
• Coordinate messaging across Commerce’s multiple divisions to ensure unified external representation
• Direct and coordinate complex communications initiatives that span multiple agency divisions and require strategic alignment with statewide partners.
• Lead the development of public information strategies, including messaging for legislative initiatives and communications related to directives and policy impacts.
• Preparing or directing preparation of executive talking points, policy briefs, public statements, and high‑impact messaging frameworks.
• Evaluating public understanding of agency programs and recommending adjustments to improve communications across diverse audiences.
• Serve as subject matter expert and consultant to agency leadership, including the Director, Chief of Staff, Communications Director and Deputy Communications Director, on strategy and appropriate public, legislative and media responses on a wide‑array of sensitive reputational matters, complex public policy and programmatic topics
• Maintain the agency communications request calendar, tracking tasks and ensuring rapid response and quality customer service for agency employees who request communications services.
• Seek and build relationships with local and national reporters, particularly those with beats that align with Commerce programs and initiatives and leverage those relationships to gain positive media coverage for the agency.
• Identify and develop newsworthy ‘storytelling’ opportunities and proactively pitch stories, on a weekly basis, to print, broadcast, and digital media.
• Develop and maintain a tracking system for media coverage of Commerce and distribute to agency leadership and communications staff.
• Plan and…