Public Relations And External Affairs Manager (Ncs) - Baltimore Convention Center

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

POSTING DATE: 04/19/2024

CLOSING DATE: 06/19/2024 AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT

SALARY: $68,289.00 - $109,521.00 Annually

CLASS DESCRIPTION

The Community & Industry Affairs Manager will cultivate and maintain relationships with various constituencies of the Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) including but not limited to, elected officials, city agencies, news media/press, BCC employees, residents of Baltimore City, civic associations, and the general public. The employee is expected to be the primary point of contact for media inquiries, develop crisis communication plans, talking points, and public remarks. The results of this employee's efforts strategically position the priorities of the organization to be amplified by the delivery methods developed and maintained.

This position partners with Public Information and Legislative Affairs Officers in other City agencies and organizations in which hospitality plays a vital role (such as Downtown Partnership, Visit Baltimore, Maryland Stadium Authority, etc.)

The Community & Industry Affairs Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and all actions must be in accordance with the policies and procedures of the BCC and the City of Baltimore.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Community & Industry Affairs Manager is an exempt-from-overtime position and is classified as essential personnel within the City of Baltimore. The work of this position involves occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours as events dictate, as well as being on call when urgent matters require communication assets.

Duties may involve supervising office support personnel for specific projects, but this position does not have any direct reports.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Manages formal communication processes, special event requests, and briefing protocols with elected officials on behalf of the Baltimore Convention Center and/or customers and clients.

• Develops and maintains a working relationship with local and national media; civic, social, and community organizations; government agencies; elected officials (local, state, and federal); and the public to promote the BCC's priorities.

• Collaborates with marketing team to provide background information as needed to draft convention-related advocacy/awareness collateral and legislation or written/oral testimony in support of convention/hospitality-related legislation.

• Works with senior staff to develop and implement a corporate communications guide for all departments, including standard operating procedures for crisis communication plans.

• Writes, edits, and produces press releases, story pitches, press statements, and advises agency head on responses to press inquiries and/or board presentations.

• Writes talking points for agency head and senior staff as needed.

• Serves as the agency's Public Information Officer.

LEGISLATIVE & INDUSTRY AFFAIRS

• Serves as the staff liaison and point of contact for the Mayor's Office and City Council.

• Assists the Executive and Deputy Directors with advancing legislative agenda items at the local and state levels.

• Sources, reviews, and circulates proposed legislation that could impact the Convention Center's or industry's operations and solicits feedback, synthesizes, and elevates feedback to the appropriate parties.

• Prepares reports and briefings for the Mayor's Office, City Council, and the Baltimore Convention and Tourism Board.

• Attends municipal meetings, hearings, and/or press conferences on behalf of the organization and advises leadership on the results and potential opportunities and/or ramifications.

• Works in collaboration with staff from Visit Baltimore, Commerce Department, and other quasi/governmental entities to coordinate and articulate legislative priorities.

• In absence of the Executive or Deputy Director, serves as the staff liaison and/or spokesperson for the BCC at all industry association-related advocacy or awareness engagements. Relevant associations include but are not limited to: Professional Convention Managers Assoc., International Assoc. of Venue Managers, Intl Assoc. Exhibition Executives, Destination Intl, American Society of Assoc. Executives, Meeting Planners International, etc.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Manages the organization and implementation of advocacy, community, and elected-facing events and activities including but not limited to the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Summer Convention, National Tourism Week, and Tourism Day in Annapolis.

• Appears before community groups and other organizations to promote the activities of the BCC.

• Attends legislative-focused events i.e., conferences, industry forums, pre-session preparation events, etc. and participates in activities hosted by entities such as the Maryland Tourism Coalition, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, and the Baltimore Tourism Association.

• Participates in conferences, trade shows, client and/or industry meetings as needed.

• Represents the agency at the Public Information Officers Association meetings for the Office of the Mayor and joins industry peers participating in special city-wide communications and marketing committees.

• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director in support of agency initiatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: Have a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public policy, or related field from an accredited university.

AND

EXPERIENCE: Have three years of experience in performing public information, public relations, convention, or non-profit management work.

OR

NOTES(EQUIVALENCIES): Have eight years of experience as an equivalency if no bachelor's degree.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Possesses Exceptional relationship management skills.

• Possesses Exceptional writing/proofreading skills with ability to adapt tone for various audiences/formats (speeches, memos, press pitches, general inquiries, legislative briefings, etc.).

• Ability to demonstrate effective public speaking and presentation skills in front of a variety of audiences.

• Ability to plan and organize integrated legislative and public awareness campaigns.

• Requires initiative, diplomacy, and the ability to interact with a variety of stakeholders and members of the public.

• Knowledge of and proficiency with Microsoft Office

• Knowledge of the preparation of materials for release to the media.

• Knowledge of managing corporate publishing projects

• Ability to work flexible schedules and shift arrangements as determined by events.

• Ability to occasionally travel locally, regionally, or nationally.

NOTE: Those eligible candidates who are under final consideration for appointment to positions in this class will be required to authorize the release of criminal conviction information.

BALTIMORE CITY AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER