Sr. Manager of Public Affairs and Communications

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) was established in 1974 to better respond to the County's need for affordable housing. HOC is authorized to acquire, own, lease, and operate housing; to provide for the construction or renovation of housing; obtain financial assistance from any public or private source to assist its housing activities; and arrange for social services, resident services, and daycare.

This is a senior-level professional management position that provides a range of services to the Office of Public Affairs & Communications (PAC) in the areas of public information/communications, public relations, events, marketing, project management, data, and analytics. The incumbent works with the PAC division to manage the strategic design, implementation, and optimization of external public relations, cross-functional initiatives, processes, tools and systems that results in the execution of an external communications plan that meets the goals of the Housing Opportunities Commission and promotes its public image.

This position requires extensive knowledge of strategic communications (both verbal and written), customer service, project management and leadership experience. The incumbent is responsible for developing, leading and implementing policies and agency-wide strategies pertaining to public affairs. The employee independently works on standard or fundamental duties and receives limited supervision. The complexity of the work is characterized by a wide range of activities involving analysis and assessment of unusual or nonstandard matters. Work involves an assortment of different tasks, which will have a direct impact on the operation of the Public Affairs & Communications. The work requires direct supervision of Public Information Specialists, the Events Manager, other staff such as Writer-Editor, Creative Team, and Webmaster and outside vendors.

Contacts are with individuals and groups within or outside the agency, including elected and appointed officials, department heads and other managers, community, civic, and business leaders, landlords, homeowners' associations and HOC customers, as well as representatives of Federal, state and other local government agencies.

Job Duties:

• Act as deputy to the PAC division and stand in for the VP when they are unavailable.
• Initiates the establishment of an integrated communications plan.
• Ensures that communications, events, and public relations efforts are cohesive, consistent, and effective in supporting the HOC's overall mission and strategic goals.
• Develops and manages budgets that support department activities and assigned special projects.
• Oversees the work of Public Information Specialists, including the Writer-Editor, the Webmaster, the Events team, and any related contractors.
• Assists in coordinating and executing HOC's public relations policy, communications, and special projects activities.
• Serves as primary point of contact with external stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and media outlets.
• Responsible for crisis communications strategies to address misunderstandings, problems, or conflicts that may develop.
• Initiate, develop, and maintain positive relationships with key local, regional, and national media outlets as well as trade publications of professional journals for the purpose of disseminating information.
• Manages all website communications and works with Senior Staff to ensure that the most timely and pertinent information for each area of HOC is readily available/posted to the site.
• Works with others to draft, or participate in the drafting of, press materials that articulate the Agency's position on matters that affect HOC, the property it owns, services provided, residents, clients or staff.
• Responsible for strategic communications, branding, and media relations as well as all print and multimedia communications for HOC and its subsidiary entities.
• Oversees the planning and execution of HOC events.
• Manages project consultants and vendors to ensure deliverables are met in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Ensure that processes, tools, and systems are developed and maintained to support HOC's external relations.
• Work with department management and other agency staff to execute events, exchange information, develop initiatives, and resolve problems associated with HOC programs having community impact.

Minimum Qualifications Experience:

At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Public Relations and Communications or like field with at least five years of supervisory experience. Affordable Housing industry preferred.

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or Marketing. Graduate degree preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Leadership and management experience.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of planning, formulating, analyzing and implementing management and programmatic policies and strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and work under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in social media and digital communications tools.
• Experience in problem-solving and crisis management.
• Knowledge and skill working with Project Management software preferred (e.g. Trello, Asana, Monday.com).
• Knowledge of Housing Program regulations, legislative and industry issues, community concerns, and county laws is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and exercise tact and judgment in dealing with community groups.
• Ability to promote and maintain good working relationships with management, staff, and representatives of public and private organizations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Desktop Publishing (a plus).
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to speak in public.
• Ability to interact with people of varied backgrounds.

* Grade 27 - Min: $81,196 / Mid: $108,712 / Max: $136,229 | Salary determined by departmental budget - Offer commensurate with experience.

HOC is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment, citizenship, immigration status, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable federal, state or local law. HOC promotes a drug-free workplace. HOC conducts criminal background checks, employment reference checks, and, where applicable, reviews driving records in determining suitability for employment. Selected applicants will be required to submit to pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Employment is contingent upon drug and alcohol test results.