Director of Communications and Public Affairs

The Position:

The Director of Communications and Public Affairs is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that enhances the organization’s public image, increases visibility, positions DHA as a key affordable housing partner and supports its strategic goals. This role involves managing media relations, overseeing internal and external communications and serves as an agency liaison to local, state, and national governmental agencies.

Salary Range:

$112,891.75 to $141,115.03

Strategic Communications Planning:

• Develop and execute a strategic communications plan that aligns with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Identify key messages and ensure consistent communication across all channels.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Internal Communications:

• Oversee internal communication efforts to ensure staff are informed and engaged with the organization’s mission and initiatives.
• Develop communication materials for internal stakeholders, including newsletters, announcements, and intranet content.

Public Relations/ External Communications:

• Manage media relations, including writing and distributing press releases, responding to media inquiries, and organizing press conferences.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and other media professionals.
• Ensures consistency in presenting information to the public in an accurate, timely, and effective manner.
• Monitor media coverage and prepare reports for senior leadership.
• Provides talking points and prepares spokespersons accordingly.

Government and Regulatory Affairs:

• Monitor and advise DHA leaders and commissioners on legislative and regulatory developments that could impact the organization.
• Ensure DHA’s role as a trusted partner and leader to local, regional and state agencies by developing and maintaining relationships with government officials, agencies, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent and position DHA as a leader at governmental meetings, hearings, and other public forums.
• Serves as the point of contact for local, state, and national housing industry organizations and manages legislative agendas.

Crisis Management:

• Lead crisis communication efforts, including developing crisis communication plans and serving as the organization’s spokesperson during emergencies.
• Coordinate with legal and other departments to manage potential reputation risks.

Content Development and Management:

• Manage the creation of content for various communication channels, including social media, the organization’s website, and print materials.
• Oversee the agency website; coordinates content and updates as necessary.
• Ensure all content is aligned with the organization’s brand and messaging guidelines.
• Plans, directs, and executes social media strategy to sustain, and enhance DHA’s reputation.

Content Development and Management:

• Manage the creation of content for various communication channels, including social media, the organization’s website, and print materials.
• Oversee the agency website; coordinates content and updates as necessary.
• Ensure all content is aligned with the organization’s brand and messaging guidelines.
• Plans, directs, and executes social media strategy to sustain, and enhance DHA’s reputation.

Team Leadership:

• Manage and mentor the communications and public affairs team, providing guidance and support to ensure high performance.
• Develop and monitor the budget for the communications and public affairs department.
• Oversee production of the agency annual report.

Event Planning and Execution:

• Plan and execute public events, including press conferences, community outreach events, and other public engagements.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure successful event execution.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Chief Executive Officer, staff and key stakeholders, including staff, the Board of Commissioners, staff, donors, community leaders, and the public.
• Coordinate outreach efforts to build and maintain public support for the organization’s initiatives including event coordination.

Other responsibilities:

• This list is not meant to be exhaustive and may be expanded.
• Daily office hours required with telecommuting flexibilities.

Benefit Information:

• Sick leave is accrued at 6 hours per month.
• Vacation leave for new employees is accrued at 8 hours per month.
• 12 paid holidays per year with an optional paid day off.
• Health insurance and 125 Plan.
• Group life insurance, pension plan (equal to 10% of the annual salary), short term and long-term disability insurance are paid by DHA.
• Dental plan, vision insurance, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, 457 pension plan and the ROTH IRA are employee paid options.
• Performance based merit increases and cost of living adjustments are given depending upon current policy.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in: Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred.
• 7 years of experience in communications, public relations, or public affairs, with at least 5 years in a leadership role encompassing significant external affairs or government responsibilities.
• Proven experience in media relations, crisis communication, and government relations.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic communication plans.
• Experience managing a team and budget.
• Strong understanding of the legislative process and regulatory environment.
• Ability to work effectively managing multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in using communication tools and platforms, including social media, content management systems, and analytics tools.

Education and Experience Equivalency:

• A combination of appropriate education and experience may be substituted for the minimum education requirement.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

• Valid Colorado driver license. Maintains driving record in accordance with the Personnel Policy.

Knowledge and Competencies:

• Knowledge of municipal, state, and federal governmental agencies, with emphasis on their relationship with public housing.
• Knowledge of community-based non-profit and public interest organizations.
• Competence in evaluation of complex problems and determining the strategy and resources for solution.
• Ability to prepare written reports, plan, design, and implement programs.
• Ability to resolve conflicts & negotiate with individuals and groups.
• Competence with computer applications, such as spreadsheets, word processing, database management, etc.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with employees, the public and other agencies.
• Oral Communication – Clearly communicates and explains information to peers, higher-level managers and staff of other organizations and a variety of individuals with diverse backgrounds, ability to speak in public before large groups.
• Written Communication – Composes, reviews, edits and issues written materials for diverse audiences; communicates purpose in a succinct and organized manner, appropriate for context, time and place. Written materials are of a complex nature.
• n a leadership role encompassing significant external affairs or government responsibilities.
• Proven experience in media relations, crisis communication, and government relations.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic communication plans.
• Experience managing a team and budget.
• Strong understanding of the legislative process and regulatory environment.
• Ability to work effectively managing multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in using communication tools and platforms, including social media, content management systems, and analytics tools.

Skills:

• Interpersonal Skills – Establishes and maintains constructive and cooperative interpersonal relationships with staff, peers, higher-level managers, or staff of other organizations, internal and external customers of a localized functional and/or operational area, and local stakeholder groups to accomplish the organization’s mission. Adapts approach to different people and situations.
• Collaboration and Flexibility – Is open to new ideas and adapts to changing work situations and priorities by modifying existing plans and work methods that affect the assigned functional and/or operational area, internal and external customers of a localized functional and/or operational area, and local stakeholder groups. Remains calm under pressure.
• Self-Direction – Sets goals and takes initiative in implementing ideas, systems or policies that affect the assigned operational or functional area. Manages time efficiently; encourages feedback; and invests in self-development.
• Leadership – Initiates and sustains action to accomplish the goals of a functional and/or operational area by guiding and motivating others and gaining the confidence and active support of subordinates, peers, administrative staff of other organizations, internal and external customers of a localized functional and/or operational area, and local stakeholder groups. Achieves voluntary commitment to shared values and goals and adapts leadership style to different situations.
• Integrity – Exhibits personal integrity and promotes ethical conduct; abides by DHA’s Code of Ethics.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands

• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds by the ear.
• Reaching: Extending the hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Sitting: Remaining in the normal seated position.

Vision Requirements

• Near Acuity: Ability to see clearly at 20 inches or less.
• Depth Perception: Ability to judge distance and space relationships.
• Accommodation: Ability to adjust vision to bring objects into focus.

Mental Demands

• Memorization
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Spatial Orientation

Interpretation (policies, procedures, or practices)

Must follow U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) rules and regulations and the Housing Authority’s policies and procedures. Requires skill in understanding and interpreting guidelines and regulations and following through in their application. When decisions are made that are not covered by guidelines, will consult with the Chief Executive Officer; new guidelines will be developed, or a decision will be made based on the circumstances and experience.

Internal/External Contacts

Extensive contact with Federal, State, and Local governmental officials and representatives; employees; DHA residents; the public; media; and various special interest groups. Must use tact and diplomacy in dealing with people, and contact may involve negotiation or handling of highly sensitive issues.

Scope of Responsibility

Work impacts DHA residents, programs, and activities, as well as various departments of city and county government, organizations, institutions, media, and agencies in the community.

Decision Making and Problem Solving

Performs a wide variety of non-routine tasks or assignments. Identifies work that needs to be done, determines how to accomplish, coordinate, integrate, and prioritize a variety of tasks or assignments. Works in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer when making decisions involving unusual circumstances, conflicting data, or other non-routine occurrences. Problems encountered by the employee may require extensive analysis to identify them. Decisions and issues may involve multiple intergovernmental units.

Nature of Supervision

May receive oral or written instructions. Generally, instructions from Chief Executive Officer are broad and specific instructions may not be received. Initiates and follows through on routine activities without supervisory directions. Work is reviewed for adherence to policies and attainment of objectives, and for completeness and adherence to procedures.

Resource Responsibility

Guide and direct all employees in the department.

Working Conditions

Normal office work environment. May require attendance at meetings after hours. Proactive mindset and collaborative approach to ensure a stressless working environment in support of DHA workplace culture while meeting deadlines and managing day to day situations.

Position Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

How to Apply:

You may apply for this position in one of the following ways:

• by faxing your application and/or resume to (720) 932-3005 or
• by emailing your application and/or resume to careers@denverhousing.org