Public Affairs Manager

The Allegheny County Airport Authority [ACAA] invites you aboard our mission to create meaningful travel experiences in the aviation industry. As Pittsburgh’s gateway to the world, both Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport serve as beacons of change and connectivity for our region. As a member of our crew, you will directly serve, inspire, and advance our community in significant ways that impact the daily lives of others and the future of our organization. Whether you have a passion for travel, an appreciation for aeronautics and aviation, or an unparalleled love for the city of Pittsburgh, ACAA provides the opportunity for the next chapter of your career to take flight.

Our culture is one that emphasizes high performance, innovation, and learning. We know that those things only happen when everyone who works in an organization is properly empowered, equipped, and enabled in their roles to make an impact. At ACAA success is a shared responsibility, and we look forward to supporting and developing the unique strengths you could bring to our team.

Job Summary

The ACAA’s Public Affairs Manager will report to the Director, Public Affairs, develops strategic media and external stakeholder communications that drive the ACAA’s image and reputation. The incumbent is also responsible for implementing communications and messaging strategies related to public relations, media relations, and social media, ensuring that communications are aligned with the ACAA brand and consistent with its goals, accomplishments, image, and values.

Here is how the Public Affairs Manager will help:

• Manage business initiatives that rely on engaging media, customers, thought leaders, NGOs and/or other external stakeholders through communications strategies.
• Responsible for local media relationships, strategies and queries, connecting enterprise-wide priorities and messaging as appropriate.
• Contributes story ideas and content to Blue Sky News; provides back up support to Blue Sky when necessary.
• Prioritize and collaborate effectively with colleagues and/or agencies to develop and execute communication solutions through the appropriate voice on behalf of the Allegheny County Airport Authority.
• Engage and successfully influence media, and other stakeholders on the ACAA’s business agenda.
• Identify external influencers (media, bloggers, NGOs, etc.) and work to build relationships.
• Proactively identify traditional and non-traditional outlets to share the ACAA’s story.
• Anticipate press questions and answers and prepare to address them, along with preparing ACAA SMEs and executives to address media queries, as conditions warrant.
• Leverage digital media (podcasts, blogs, threads, etc.) to customize our organization for our customers.
• Set and apply strategies that enable customers to engage with compelling content and advocate for our organization, fully leveraging all available company and partner properties.
• Manage, monitor, measure and report media results that demonstrate measurable ROI.
• Partner with internal teams to effectively communicate with relevant external advocacy groups - activists, political actors, regulators. May collaborate to develop white papers, Op-Ed pieces or use other storytelling methods to drive understanding of company or industry perspective.
• Review, evaluate and prepare speaking opportunities and engagements that advance the ACAA agenda.
• Prepare well-constructed, organized speeches for executives – using proven techniques for engagement (storytelling, humor, dramatic elements, etc).
• Serve as key member of crisis response team. Draft messaging to mitigate potential crisis situations and inaccurate information in the public arena; develop and implement post-crisis communication plans.
• Regularly serve as on-call contact during nights and weekends.
• Prepare and deliver persuasive and convincing written and oral communications that delivers desired outcomes.
• Review written communications by others and consistently, significantly improving the work product through editing.
• Manage multiple sources of information about a product, brand, or service that behaviorally moves the customer toward a sale or consumption.
• Perform other related tasks as assigned or required.

The successful candidate for the role of Public Affairs Manager will demonstrate the following key competencies needed in our culture:

• Communication - Able to clearly articulate goals and objectives to the team; Listens for understanding first with peers, superiors and subordinates; Listens for understanding first with peers, superiors and subordinates
• Strategic Thinking - Able to problem-solve for short-term (quarterly) challenges to accomplish key goals; Able to develop plans to achieve efficient, on-time results
• Team Leadership - Lead and anticipate the pace and process of change effectively; Drive talent development as a team and individually; Takes accountability for team results; Recognizes and rewards excellence on the team
• Customer Centricity - Motivates team to identify new ways to improve customer experience; Identifies systemic improvements that could positively impact customers

Qualifications

The following requirements list the minimum education/training/experience required to qualify for this job. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be accepted.

Preferred requirements to apply for the role of Public Affairs Manager are:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Five (5) years related experience in production and management of communication materials in a business setting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and software specifically Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Possess or obtain prior to employment a valid Pennsylvania Class C driver’s license. Note: license must be maintained throughout employment.

We also expect that candidates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities in most cases:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques to build integrated, internal and external communication strategies, programs and processes.
• Advanced media relations skills
• Advanced writing skills with Associated Press Style expertise
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, Power Point and Teams
• Demonstrated ability in crafting and executing strategic external communication plans.
• Strong writing and editing skills with outstanding attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Effective organizational skills, and the ability to function in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop, apply and manage appropriate communications tools to meet business goals and measure success.

Don’t meet every requirement?

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. As a Smarter Airport, we recognize that talent is not always related job history and skills come from valuable experiences that aren’t always shown on a resume. If you are excited to make a positive change for our region, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for our organization, whether it be this role or another.

Caring For Our Crew

At ACAA, we’ve got you covered. That applies to how we equip, empower, and enable our people to do their jobs. It also applies to our benefits, which are broader and more valuable than what many other employers offer:

• We offer two plan options for healthcare coverage from high-quality insurance carriers, as well as an ACAA-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that will help offset the cost of many medical expenses.
  • ACAA employees pay almost $1,200 less per year in healthcare payroll contributions than the average employee in other companies, according to market surveys.
  • When HRA funding is included, the health-plan deductibles paid by ACAA employees are about $1,200 lower on average than the costs paid by employees of other companies.
  • ACAA does not require that employees meet a separate deductible for pharmacy expenses before prescription-drug coverage kicks in.
• ACAA’s dental plans (included with healthcare coverage) offer an option covering children’s orthodontia.
• Employees also can take advantage of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to help pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
• All eligible full-time ACAA employees participate in the Allegheny County Employees Pension Plan, a defined-benefit plan that vests after 10 years of service.
• Employees also may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, which allows them to contribute part of their pay on a pre-tax basis into long-term retirement investments.
• A robust Employee Assistance Program (including access to free counselling sessions, financial guidance, and care coordination), life insurance options, a wellness program, and eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program round out ACAA’s exemplary benefits.
• Employees may enroll their children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age in our on-site preschool and childcare center, La Petite Academy, at Pittsburgh International Airport.

About Allegheny County Airport Authority

Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC), is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect and serve the community, inspire the industry, and advance the region’s role as a world leader.

Pittsburgh International Airport serves nearly 10 million passengers annually on 17 carriers and was named by Fast Company magazine as One of the Most Innovative Companies in the World as well as a finalist in its World Changing Ideas awards, both in 2020. PIT’s first-of-its-kind microgrid – which completely powers the airport campus through natural gas and solar energy – has won numerous awards for resiliency and sustainability.

PIT is in the midst of an ambitious terminal modernization that will make the passenger experience more efficient and deliver real opportunity for the region. The $1.4 billion new terminal program will construct a smarter, greener airport, inspired by the best of our region. The updated terminal lands in 2025 and will be the first airport terminal in the U.S. to be built from the ground-up post-pandemic, designed and constructed with the highest public health standards in mind.

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