Press Secretary - Office of Marketing & Communication

Press Secretary - Office of Marketing & Communications

Purpose

Shape the Narrative. Elevate the City. Lead with Impact.

The City of Savannah is seeking a dynamic and strategic Media Relations Program Coordinator & Content Creator (Press Secretary) to serve as our primary liaison to the media and a trusted advisor to City leadership. This advanced-level communications professional will play a critical role in ensuring transparent, proactive, and consistent messaging that strengthens public trust and enhances the City’s image.

If you thrive in fast-paced environments, excel at storytelling, and are skilled at managing high-profile media interactions, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact at the municipal level.

As the Media Relations Program Coordinator & Content Creator (Press Secretary), you will serve as an advanced-level professional who is the City of Savannah’s primary point of contact for media inquiries, responsible for managing all incoming requests, coordinating press responses, developing official statements, writing press releases and media advisories, drafting talking points for City officials and creating content, storytelling and produced material for SGTV and social media. The new Media Relations Program Coordinator & Content Creator (Press Secretary) will support transparent, proactive media engagement and ensures consistent messaging that enhances the City’s public image and aligns with strategic communication goals.

Why Join the City of Savannah?

Working for the City of Savannah means being part of a mission-driven organization committed to service, transparency, and community engagement. This role offers the opportunity to influence public dialogue, support City leadership, and tell the story of Savannah in a meaningful and impactful way.

We offer great pay, excellent benefits to include medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, employee/spouse/child supplemental life insurance, short-term disability, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, deferred compensation plan (457 B), pension plan, flexible spending account, home purchase assistance, employee referral program and 12 paid holidays!

Essential Job Functions

• Acts as the lead media liaison for the City by fielding inquiries from local, regional, and national outlets, coordinating internal responses, and ensuring timely and accurate communication.
• Coordinates and disseminates press releases, media advisories, and official statements across platforms to promote City initiatives, events, and key announcements.
• Develops and delivers tailored talking points and media preparation materials for City officials and staff, including training to support effective public messaging.
• Proactively pitches news stories to targeted media outlets to highlight the City’s accomplishments, initiatives, and services to residents.
• Creates content highlighting the events and good work within the City of Savannah for SGTV and social media. This role plays a key part of content creation for current and future programming for SGTV, This includes on-camera and voice over work.
• Monitors media coverage for accuracy, sentiment, and emerging trends, and compiles internal briefings and analysis reports to inform strategy.
• Maintains working relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts to strengthen press engagement and improve access to City information.
• Reports to the Senior Director of Communications and works with Communications leadership to align messaging with broader communication and branding objectives.
• Provides support during emergency response situations by coordinating rapid media outreach and serving as an on-call media contact.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a closely related field. Extensive (5+ years) full-time experience involving public information, public relations, broadcasting, media relations, marketing, communications, or field related to the program area. Must hace experience producing quality material for television and/or social media. This includes voice-over work and on camer experience. Existing relationship with local media a plus. 

Additional Information:
The Senior Communications Specialist class is distinguished from the Communications Specialist class by the more advanced and complex nature of assignments, the involvement in high-level projects for the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager’s Office, and the independent judgment and decision making exercised. Incumbents in this class may be asked for input to policy development/revision activities and are expected to explain/interpret policy to their coworkers as well as lead by example. A significant element of work involves public contact of a specialized nature, which requires patience, tact, and persuasion in dealing with citizens, news media, representatives, and business persons who are affected by City programs or projects. Supervision is received from the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Marketing & Engagement Manager or Television & Video Manager, who evaluates work through conferences, meetings, written reports, and overall results achieved. This class is FLSA exempt.

Work Location: 14 Interchange Court  Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
NOTE: Postion may require some evening, weekend, holiday and on-call shifts.

Additional Requirements:
Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification ofeducation, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.

This position is safety sensitive and subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate

Additional Information

• Strong knowledge of journalism practices, public relations strategies, and media relations protocols, especially in a government or public sector setting.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly and persuasively in both written and verbal formats.
• Thorough understanding of how to manage press relations, including crafting media messaging, handling interviews, and maintaining relationships with reporters.
• Ability to write and edit high-quality press releases, statements, and briefing documents under tight deadlines.
• Skilled in interpreting public sentiment, analyzing media coverage, and adjusting strategies accordingly.
• Proficiency in tools used to track media coverage, assess tone, and compile coverage summaries.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, and use sound judgment in handling politically sensitive or high-profile media interactions.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work across departments, prepare executives for media engagement, and collaborate in fast-paced environments.
• Knowledge of municipal operations and the ability to translate technical or policy language into accessible public messaging.
• Knowledge of television production and ability to produce broadcast quality materials including packages and vo/sots.
• On-camera experience as a reporter, anchor or host.
• Capable of managing multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously and adapting quickly to changing news cycles.