Responsibilities
- Strategic Communications & Narrative Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with URA priorities, including equitable development, affordable housing, small business support, and infrastructure investment.
- Shape messaging that reflects Pittsburgh’s evolving economic landscape, honoring its industrial legacy while promoting innovation and inclusive growth.
- Ensure consistent brand voice and messaging across all platforms, initiatives, and departments.
- Media Relations & Public Affairs: Serve as the primary media contact and organizational spokesperson or oversee spokesperson responsibilities.
- Cultivate relationships with local, regional, and national media.
- Oversee press releases, media advisories, op-eds, and proactive storytelling.
- Organizational Promotion: Develop and execute sales and marketing plans and establish revenue targets in partnership with the Finance Department.
- Create marketing campaigns which generate quality leads while ensuring promotional efforts are aligned with sales targets and organizational goals.
- Design marketing materials and launch new advertisement strategies in alignment with organizational objectives.
- Analyze sales data and market trends to adjust strategies, ensuring sales targets are achieved.
- Community Engagement & Public Transparency: Ensure transparent, accessible, and culturally responsive communication with Pittsburgh’s diverse neighborhood.
- Support outreach related to redevelopment projects, including public meetings and stakeholder engagement.
- Address community concerns such as displacement, affordability, and equitable development
- Digital Strategy & Content Development: Oversee the website, social media, email communications, and multimedia content.
- Highlight project milestones, funding opportunities, and community impact.
- Use analytics to improve engagement and reach.
- Crisis Communications & Issues Management: Develop and maintain crisis communications protocols.
- Provide real-time guidance to leadership during emerging issues.
- Identify reputational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Leadership & Team Management: Lead the coordination, logistics, and document packaging of the monthly URA Board Meetings in collaboration with the Government Affairs and Legal departments; Lead and mentor Communications staff; Manage the departmental budget, consultants, and vendors; Establish KPIs and evaluate Communications department effectiveness.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Journalism, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- 8 to 10+ years of progressive communications and marketing experience, preferably in government or economic development
- Experience with leading branding and promotional strategies on behalf of an organization
- Experience developing and tracking KPI’s and campaign results to optimize marketing spend and strategy
- Experience leading and managing marketing and/or communications teams
- Experience with redevelopment authorities or public-sector organizations is strongly preferred
- Excellent writing and storytelling skills
- Strong media relations and crisis communications experience
- Strong understanding of government and public political structures
- Ability to engage diverse communities and navigate complex political environments
- Familiarity with community and economic programs and projects
- Knowledge of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and economic landscape (preferred)
- Education & Experience - Master’s preferred
- Preferred Qualifications: Experience leading strategic communications and crisis communications and branding
- Physical Requirements: Ability to travel to County and City offices; lift up to 20 lbs.; ability to talk/listen/speak clearly on telephone
Nice to Have
- Experience leading strategic communications and crisis communications and branding.
- Experience in post-industrial or legacy cities.
- Knowledge of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and economic landscape.
Benefits
Compensation
- Starting Salary: $106,000 Annually
How to Apply
About Company
- The URA is the City of Pittsburgh’s economic development enterprise.
- We are committed to building a prosperous and equitable economy for all of Pittsburgh.
- We help bridge public and private interests to invest in meaningful equitable developments that promote housing affordability, economic mobility, entrepreneurship and neighborhood revitalization.
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