Communications & Media Relations Manager - Denver Metro

Communications & Media Relations Manager

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is looking to fill a Communications & Media Relations Manager position (Marketing & Communications Specialist IV) that will provide media relations, communications planning, and strategy for CDOT's projects and business needs in the Region 1 Denver Metro area. This area includes Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and Jefferson counties. Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identify and work with key leadership on strategic initiatives, providing communications and media relations guidance and direction.
• Ensure communications planning and strategy aligns with all goals and business needs.
• Responsible for strategic issues management, which includes the planning, research, fact checking, and program and collateral development.
• Oversee the communication and media relations needs for pre-construction, construction, and maintenance projects.
• Develop and distribute information to primarily external and some internal audiences using a variety of tools.
• Review, approve, and create content such as press releases, graphics, web content, and social media content.
• Deliver effective and timely communications and media information for projects so motorists, travelers, communities, officials and the appropriate stakeholders are engaged with project development and planning and notified of construction and maintenance-related impacts.
• Establish project specifications and provide oversight of communications and media relations tools on each project.
• Address any issues on project that will rise to media or heavy public interest.
• Research appropriate response, seek necessary approvals, and coordinate best approach to interviews, prepare subject matter experts for interviews, develop key messaging, and serve as spokesperson.
• Coordinate and lead external events such as media briefings, ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, and tours. Prepare all logistics and deliver successful events.
• Lead internal communications strategy and implementation by working collaboratively with all stakeholders.
• Provide executive support to the Region 1 Transportation Director such as guidance, talking points and presentations.
• Provide guidance, support, and oversight of the day-to-day activities of the Region 1 Customer Service Lead.
• Help organize regional customer service team to ensure consistency in responses and track trends.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Your schedule will primarily be 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours, Monday-Friday, with the opportunity for a flexible schedule
• Opportunity to work from home 1-2 days a week after training is completed
• Some travel required, mostly during work hours throughout Metro Denver/Front Range
• Occasional overnight travel 1-3 times a year throughout Colorado
• Required to operate CDOT vehicles

Experience Only:

• Four (4) years of professional experience in a field closely related to the major job duties of this position.
• AND at least three (3) years of relevant experience with the primary purpose in public or media relations, which included communications planning.

OR

Education and Experience:

• A combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least seven (7) years.
• Education from a U.S. accredited college or university with coursework in the social sciences, such as anthropology, business administration, communications, English, geography, history, journalism, marketing, planning, public administration, public relations, psychology, sociology, or another field of study related to the duties of this position will be considered.
• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience with the primary purpose in public or media relations, which included communications planning.

Please Note:

The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. "See Resume" statements on the application or resumes in lieu of a complete application may not be accepted. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this…