Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Manager

Tampa Bay Water is seeking a strategic, hands-on communications leader to serve as Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Manager. This is a
working manager position responsible for leading the Agency's communications program while remaining actively involved in the planning and execution of high-impact communications initiatives.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer, this position serves as the Agency's lead communications professional and trusted advisor on communications strategy, public affairs, media relations, stakeholder engagement, digital communications, and crisis communications. The Manager develops and implements strategic communications plans, serves as the Agency's primary Public Information Officer, advises executive leadership on communications matters, and oversees public engagement initiatives that support project implementation and strengthen public understanding and trust in Tampa Bay Water's mission.

In addition to providing leadership and supervision to communications and audiovisual staff, the Manager remains directly involved in developing communications strategies, crafting key messaging, writing and editing content, managing media relationships, supporting executive communications, and advancing agency visibility through traditional and digital communication channels.

This role is ideal for a "player-coach" communications professional who enjoys balancing strategic leadership with meaningful day-to-day communications work. This position plays a critical role in helping Tampa Bay Water tell the story of how it provides a reliable and sustainable drinking water supply to millions of residents across the region. In addition to being a trusted advisor to leadership, the Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Manager is also a visible ambassador for the Agency, and a hands-on communications professional responsible for strengthening public understanding, stakeholder engagement, and trust in Tampa Bay Water's mission and services.

• Lead the Agency's communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and public information functions.
• Develop and implement strategic communications plans aligned with the Agency's Strategic Plan and organizational priorities.
• Serve as a strategic communications advisor to executive leadership.
• Establish departmental goals, work plans, budgets, performance measures, and reporting metrics.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of communications programs and recommend improvements based on stakeholder feedback, analytics, and organizational needs.
• Ensure communication activities support Tampa Bay Water's mission, goals, and regional reputation.

• Personally develop, write, edit, and review agency communications materials, including media releases, speeches, executive talking points, presentations, newsletters, website content, articles, reports, public information materials, and stakeholder communications.
• Develop communication strategies and messaging for Agency initiatives, projects, programs, and issues.
• Lead media relations efforts, respond to media inquiries, and proactively generate positive media coverage.
• Serve as the Agency's Public Information Officer and coordinate emergency and crisis communications activities.
• Prepare executives, technical staff, and subject matter experts for media interviews, presentations, public meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
• Ensure consistency of messaging across all communication channels and audiences.

• Lead stakeholder outreach and public engagement efforts supporting agency projects, programs, initiatives, and policy objectives.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with member governments, community organizations, partner agencies, media representatives, and other stakeholders in coordination with the Government Affairs Program Manager.
• Plan, coordinate and implement public meetings, community events, educational programs, facility tours, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Support executive leadership with communications related to public affairs, regional partnerships, and strategic initiatives.

• Lead strategy, planning, and performance measurement for agency websites, social media platforms, email communications, intranet, multimedia content, and other digital communication channels.
• Oversee development and implementation of…