Communications Manager (APD Public Affairs)

Salary Range: $68,156.41 - $87,215.00 annually

Posting open until 10/17/2025

General Description and Classification Standards

This position provides broad communications support to the Atlanta Police Department. The individual in this role reports to the Communications Manager Senior and works closely with the Mayor's Office of Communication and is responsible for managing the media, including on-camera interviews, media inquiries and press releases. Additionally, this role works to develop and execute processes and projects that support the communications and marketing team. This role also oversees and supervises APD's social media presence, APD special and community events while demonstrating superior client service, interpersonal communications, written and communication skills.

Supervision Received

Works under very general supervision. May work independently or with other skilled or semi-skilled workers with responsibility for completion of assigned tasks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Executing media relations programs by finding opportunities to showcase positive APD stories.
• Develops and maintains updated media contact lists from online media directories and internal resources as needed for campaigns, events, human interest profiles, and lifestyle topics.
• Develop backgrounders, craft pitch emails, and assist with writing talking points.
• Prepare monthly reports on media coverage from online monitoring platforms for traditional broadcast and print, web and social media.
• Recognizing award submission opportunities for the Atlanta Police Department.
• Oversee and drive social media presence including the social media editorial calendar across all Atlanta Police Department social media channels.
• Identifies and cultivates relationships with key digital influencers, bloggers, and trade media.
• Tracks schedule for video content creation and dissemination to Atlanta Police Department social media channels.
• Identifies compelling APD existing stories and content from department's recreation centers and park inventory.
• Helps in the creation of APD marketing materials for prospective vendors, sponsors, and partners.
• Maintains style, logo, and brand guidelines.
• Ensures records are filed in a systematic manner for ease of retrieval as needed.
• Monitors legislative matters within City of Atlanta to keep abreast of applicable issues affecting city government.
• Develops spreadsheets for Communications Department's planning, news distribution and reporting materials.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills as well as exceptional proofreading ability.
• Seasoned in writing press releases, letters, speeches and other written materials.
• Ability to develop excellent relationships with reporters, media organizations and colleagues.
• Extensive experience with media relations including on-camera interviews, responding to requests for information and press releases addressing a variety of topics.
• Capacity to work in a fast-paced team environment.
• Outstanding critical thinking and attention to detail.
• Flexibility to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to perform under deadlines and under pressure.
• Creative problem solver and self-starter with a desire to serve the public interest and work with a team.
• A commitment to public service and a good sense of humor.

Minimum Qualifications

Education And Experience

Bachelor's degree in a related field. Four (4) years of experience in communications, media relations and/or journalism.

Licensures And Certifications

None

Preferred Requirements

None

Work Environment

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job.

This job requires mandatory in office work only

Lifting Requirements:

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.