Media Relations-Program Manager I

Step into a leadership role where your expertise in media relations, strategic storytelling, and public engagement directly shapes how one of Florida’s most dynamic cities communicates with its residents, businesses, and visitors. As a Program Manager within Fort Lauderdale’s Strategic Communications team, you’ll help drive the city’s voice across digital platforms, press channels, and community outreach—advancing transparency, strengthening civic trust, and elevating the stories that define our vibrant coastal community.

This position will support creative video production and translation of messages into compelling visual story formats that may be adapted to various audiences.

Program Manager I provides administrative and management services for personnel involved in the provision of services to the public through a complex, specialized departmental program, under the direction of a department director or designee. Responsibilities include coordinating activities of a major program(s); supervising employees and/or external consultants; handling daily staff assignments; planning and administering budgets; controlling income and revenue; tracking program expenses; monitoring the progress of operations; and analyzing and reporting program performance to executive team and directors.

NOTE: The duties of this position will include all of those duties set forth in the official job description.

Responsibilities

Serves as a key member of the City’s strategic communications team, with a primary focus on media relations, public relations, written communications, public information and campaign support.

Drafts, edits and coordinates press releases, media advisories, public statements, talking points, remarks, speeches, scripts, newsletter content, website updates and other written materials in support of City initiatives, programs, services and events.

Serves as a point of contact for media inquiries and assists with the coordination of timely, accurate and professional responses to local, regional and industry media outlets.

Proactively identifies, develops and pitches story opportunities that highlight City accomplishments, community initiatives, capital projects, public safety efforts, events and programs of public interest.

Coordinates media opportunities, interviews, press conferences, public appearances and other external communications efforts involving City leadership, departments and community partners.

Develops clear focused messaging that supports public understanding of City priorities and initiatives.

Supports the planning and execution of public relations campaigns and outreach strategies that advance Citywide communications goals.

Works closely with City departments to gather information to verify facts and develop messaging for internal and external audiences.

Prepares materials for executive leadership, elected officials and department representatives.

Supports crisis communications and emergency public information efforts during high-impact periods, emergencies and time-sensitive incidents.

Monitors media coverage, public conversations and emerging issues to identify trends, potential concerns and opportunities for proactive communication.

Maintains working relationships with media representatives and external stakeholders to support effective and consistent communication.

Coordinates with graphic design, video production, web and digital staff to develop supporting materials for campaigns, media outreach, public education and City announcements.

Supports the preparation of ceremonial and official communications, including proclamation language, remarks, scripts and recognition materials.

Assists with the development and maintenance of communications calendars to track all major City events.

Provides communications support for major City events, public meetings, press events and community engagements, including evenings, weekend or emergency assignments.

May supervise assigned personnel, interns, vendors or project teams; develops work plans, delegates assignments, reviews work products and supports training and performance management as assigned.

Performs related work as required.

Minimum Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or closely related field.

Must have at least four (4) years of experience in directing, shooting, editing, producing, and optimizing a variety of videos for various distribution channels such as television, internet, and social media.

Excellent copywriting skills along with strong verbal communication skills.

Required to be on-call and work nights, holidays, and weekends, as necessary, for various meetings and events.

Ability to multitask with a variety of unrelated projects efficiently with a strong sense of time management.

If claiming Veteran's Preference, candidates must attach a DD214 Member 4 form.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong experience in helping drive traffic to video content by using search engine and social media tools.

Physical Standards Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
The position involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Applicants who qualify will be subject to an extensive selection process and screening program, which may include, but not be limited to, evaluation of training and experience; written test; interview; employment record, background check; medical examination; and drug screen. The expected duration of the selection process varies by position.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is an Equal Opportunity, affirmative Action, inclusive employer and a Drug Free Workplace. The City of Fort Lauderdale does not discriminate based on age, citizenship status, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Veterans' preference per Florida law.

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