City of Savannah
Press Secretary – Office of Marketing & Communications
City of Savannah, Savannah, Georgia, United States, 31441
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, and drafting talking points for City officials. 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.
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.
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.
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, media relations, marketing, communications, or field related to the program area. The specific certificate/accreditation must be previously approved by the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications.
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 businesspersons 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.
Additional Requirements
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.
Capable of managing multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously and adapting quickly to changing news cycles.
Employee Benefits Overview
Paid Holiday
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan
Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
Retirement Seminars
PPO Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellness Programs
Health & Wellness Incentives
Long Term Disability
Excellence and Service Recognition
Employee Development and In-Service Training
Educational Assistance Program
Uniform Allowance (select positions)
Employee Assistance Program
Discounts and Memberships
Employee Relations
Direct Deposit
Credit Union
Pretax Parking Deductions
Employee Assisted Home Purchase Program
Domestic Partnership BenefitsHealthcarePPO Medical Plus Plan
PPO Medical Basic Plan
Dental Plus Plan
Dental Basic Plan
Vision Service PlanLife InsuranceBasic Life and ADD
Supplemental Life Employee
Supplemental Life Spouse
Supplemental Life ChildBenefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.
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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.
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.
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, media relations, marketing, communications, or field related to the program area. The specific certificate/accreditation must be previously approved by the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications.
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 businesspersons 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.
Additional Requirements
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.
Capable of managing multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously and adapting quickly to changing news cycles.
Employee Benefits Overview
Paid Holiday
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Defined Benefit Retirement Pension Plan
Protective Services Retirement Plan (select positions)
Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan
Retirement Seminars
PPO Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Wellness Programs
Health & Wellness Incentives
Long Term Disability
Excellence and Service Recognition
Employee Development and In-Service Training
Educational Assistance Program
Uniform Allowance (select positions)
Employee Assistance Program
Discounts and Memberships
Employee Relations
Direct Deposit
Credit Union
Pretax Parking Deductions
Employee Assisted Home Purchase Program
Domestic Partnership BenefitsHealthcarePPO Medical Plus Plan
PPO Medical Basic Plan
Dental Plus Plan
Dental Basic Plan
Vision Service PlanLife InsuranceBasic Life and ADD
Supplemental Life Employee
Supplemental Life Spouse
Supplemental Life ChildBenefits costs are paid by the City of Savannah, by the employee or shared by both the City and the employee.
#J-18808-Ljbffr