The posting
Job Description
Posting expires: December 3, 2026
Salary range: $160,000.00-$200,000.00
General Description and Classification Standards:
Provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for the Airport’s Communications and Marketing functions. Responsible for developing and implementing integrated communications, marketing, public relations, media relations, brand management, and promotional strategies that strengthen Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s (ATL) reputation, enhance public understanding and customer engagement, and support the Airport’s strategic priorities.
Directs the planning, administration, and performance of assigned functions, ensuring alignment with the Airport’s organizational goals, operational objectives, and financial priorities. Oversees professional, technical, and administrative personnel responsible for internal and external communications, media relations, crisis communications, executive messaging, marketing campaigns, brand development, digital communications, and related initiatives.
Works collaboratively with Airport executive leadership and internal departments to ensure consistent messaging, effective communication of Airport initiatives, and alignment between marketing strategies and organizational priorities. This position exercises independent judgment in establishing departmental priorities, managing resources, advising executive leadership, and addressing issues that may affect the Airport’s reputation and public perception.
The position requires strong executive leadership, strategic planning, communication, and relationship-management skills, along with the ability to manage sensitive information, respond to emerging issues, and represent the Airport in a professional and effective manner.
Supervision Received:
Reports directly to the Deputy General Manager. Works under general executive direction and exercises considerable independent judgment in directing Communications and Marketing functions, establishing priorities, managing departmental resources, and implementing strategies consistent with the Airport’s mission and organizational objectives.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following are typical responsibilities of this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive. The City of Atlanta may modify specific duties based on organizational needs.
- Executive Leadership and Strategy: Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Airport’s Communications and Marketing functions, ensuring that departmental programs support ATL’s strategic priorities, institutional reputation, and organizational objectives.
- Strategic Communications: Directs the development and implementation of internal and external communications strategies to communicate Airport initiatives, operational updates, organizational priorities, and key developments to employees, passengers, stakeholders, and the public.
- Marketing and Brand Management: Oversees integrated marketing strategies, advertising campaigns, brand positioning, promotional initiatives, and digital marketing efforts that enhance ATL’s global reputation, strengthen brand recognition, and support passenger engagement.
- Media and Public Relations: Provides strategic oversight of media relations, public relations, press engagement, official statements, and public information initiatives. Ensures that communications are timely, accurate, coordinated, and consistent with established City and Airport policies.
- Crisis and Issues Communications: Directs crisis communications and issues management in coordination with Airport executive leadership and appropriate departments and agencies. Provides strategic guidance on messaging during emergencies, operational disruptions, sensitive incidents, and other matters affecting the Airport’s reputation.
- Executive Communications: Oversees the preparation and coordination of executive messaging, speeches, presentations, briefing materials, public statements, and other communications supporting the Deputy General Manager, Airport leadership, and designated City officials.
- Digital and Content Strategy: Provides oversight of digital communications, website content, social media strategy, multimedia content, and other communication channels used to inform the public and promote Airport initiatives.
- Marketing Partnerships and Brand Initiatives: Develops and maintains marketing partnerships and promotional initiatives that support ATL’s brand, customer experience, and strategic objectives. Coordinates with the Assistant General Manager, Events & Corporate & Community Affairs, on sponsorships, partnerships, and joint initiatives as appropriate.
- Cross-Departmental Coordination: Collaborates with Airport Operations, Customer Experience, Air Service Development, International Affairs, Commercial Development, Events, Corporate & Community Affairs, and other departments to ensure coordinated communications and consistent messaging across the organization.
- Financial and Administrative Management: Oversees departmental budgets, procurement, contracts, consultant relationships, and resource allocation, ensuring fiscal accountability and compliance with applicable City policies and procedures.
- Performance and Program Evaluation: Establishes departmental objectives and performance measures, evaluates the effectiveness of communications and marketing initiatives, and uses relevant data, audience feedback, and performance results to guide decision-making and resource allocation.
- Executive Advisement and Representation: Advises the Deputy General Manager and other designated executive leaders on communications strategy, marketing opportunities, media issues, public perception, emerging risks, and matters affecting ATL’s reputation. Represents the Airport at official functions, industry meetings, and stakeholder engagements as appropriate.
- Personnel and Organizational Management: Directs and evaluates assigned personnel, establishes performance expectations, supports professional development, and promotes accountability and collaboration across assigned functions.
- Performs other related 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 listing identifies the principal knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position and is not exhaustive.
- Knowledge of strategic communications, public relations, media relations, crisis communications, marketing strategy, brand management, digital communications, and reputation management.
- Knowledge of communication practices within a large, complex organization and the ability to communicate effectively in a public-sector and highly visible operating environment.
- Knowledge of marketing strategy, audience engagement, brand positioning, advertising, digital content, and performance measurement.
- Knowledge of executive leadership, strategic planning, budget development, financial management, procurement, contract administration, and personnel management.
- Ability to develop and implement integrated communications and marketing strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
- Ability to assess complex and sensitive issues, determine appropriate communication approaches, and provide sound recommendations to executive leadership.
- Ability to oversee media relations, crisis communications, public information, and executive messaging while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and appropriate discretion.
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with executive leadership, City departments, government officials, media representatives, corporate partners, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to evaluate communications and marketing performance using data, audience feedback, and measurable objectives.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage competing priorities, and oversee departmental resources effectively.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with digital communications, content management, marketing analytics, media monitoring, and related technology.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience -
- Bachelor’s degree in Business/Public Administration or related area (from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field) .
- Ten (10) years' of leadership experience in strategic communications, public relations, marketing, media relations, brand management, or related functions, including supervisory or management experience. Experience leading complex programs, managing budgets, and coordinating cross-functional initiatives is required.
Licensures and Certifications -
Valid State Issued Driver's License required.
Preferred Requirements -
- Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, media relations, brand management, or related fields, including significant supervisory or management experience.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated communications and marketing strategies, managing media relations, overseeing crisis communications, and advising senior leadership.
- Experience in aviation, municipal government, transportation, or another large, complex organization with significant public visibility is preferred.
- Master’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field is preferred.
- Professional certification in public relations, strategic communications, marketing, or a related discipline is preferred.
Work Environment:
Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with the job. The position operates in a professional office and a 24/7 operational airport environment and may require attendance at meetings, briefings, and official functions outside normal business hours, particularly during significant operational incidents or time-sensitive communications matters.
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.
