Senior Executive Communications and Public Relations Manager

Summary

Based on background and experience, our typical hiring range for this position is Steps 5–10, as follows:

Typical Hiring Range

$90,109.79 - $105,199.30/Annual

$43.32 - $50.57/Hourly

WORKING FOR THE CITY OF MCKINNEY

Working for the City of McKinney is more than a job. It is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. It is also an opportunity to have a hand in the development of one of the fastest growing communities in the nation. Proudly recognized on the Top Workplaces USA list by USA TODAY, our team is dedicated to making McKinney one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family. That is why we exist. Join us and start making a difference today.

OUR CORE VALUES

City of McKinney employees work hard and at a very fast pace. However, we also look after and support one another. All of us are guided by four employee-inspired values – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE). We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, work-family-oriented culture. All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high performance organization (HPO).

Summary Of Position

Under the direction of the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, and working closely with peer team Managers, the Executive Communications and Public Relations Manager, Sr. is accountable for leading executive communications initiatives, media relations, and public affairs communications for the city. This role ensures clear, consistent, and strategic messaging across internal and external channels, including executive and Council communications, cross-organizational and departmental initiatives, crisis communications, internal communications, and community engagement. Serves as city spokesperson when required and leads the development of messaging, media strategy, and media preparation for city representatives. Brings forward clear, strategic recommendations, operates with a high level of energy, urgency, and ownership, and addresses challenges directly. Ensures communication strategies reflect the broader organizational context and actively drive key priorities and measurable outcomes.

Demonstrates alignment and consistency of communication across the organization through close collaboration with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and peer managers. Works in unison with the department leadership team to effectively communicate team goals, ensuring alignment, clarity, consistency, and accountability across all team initiatives. Anticipates emerging needs and proactively develops strategies that position the organization effectively and support organizational priorities.

Directs and manages assigned staff, with accountability for performance, development, and alignment with departmental and organizational standards. Sets clear expectations and builds a culture of accountability and results. Oversees key external and internal-facing support functions and ensures work is delivered with consistency, quality, and responsiveness. Reporting structures may evolve based on organizational needs and team strengths.

Essential Functions/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

In order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees.

• Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.
• Contribute to a positive work culture.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.
• Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
• Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Organizational Communications and Leadership

• Ensures alignment and consistency of communication across the organization through close collaboration with leadership and peer managers.
• Establishes and reinforces standards for performance, processes, accountability, and ownership across the team.
• Works in unison with the department leadership team to effectively communicate team goals, ensuring alignment, clarity, consistency, and accountability across all team initiatives.
• Addresses performance issues directly and ensures work is delivered accurately, timely, and with minimal rework.
• Leads development and execution of internal communications strategies that support organizational priorities, initiatives, and employee engagement.
• Anticipates emerging communication needs and brings forward strategic, forward-looking recommendations.
• Operates with a high level of energy, urgency, and ownership in driving results.
• Complies with all written City policies and procedures.
• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in City and department attendance policies and procedures.
  
  

Media Relations

• Leads development and execution of media relations strategies that position the organization effectively and support Council and organizational priorities.
• Oversees media engagement, messaging, and response protocols to ensure timely, accurate, and coordinated communication.
• Develops and maintains media policies, plans, and standards across the organization.
• Identifies and advances strategic media opportunities that elevate the City’s visibility and reputation.
• Provides media coaching and guidance to city leadership and elected officials and ensures preparedness for media interactions.
• Serves as a city spokesperson when appropriate.
• Develops and implements public affairs strategies to strengthen the organization’s reputation, manage public perception, and navigate complex political and community environments.
• Leads community engagement, stakeholder relations, and advocacy initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
• Supports executive and Council communications, including speeches, presentations, and key initiatives, ensuring clarity, consistency, and strategic alignment.
  
  

Public Affairs

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the organization's reputation, manage public perception, and navigate political environments.
• Manage community engagement, public relations, corporate communications, advocacy, and stakeholder management.
• Play a key role in shaping the city's public image and ensuring alignment with the organization's goals and values.
• Lead communications efforts for elections, bond initiatives, and the city's boards and commissions.
• Develop and implement strategies that meet the strategic goals for special projects of the City Council.
• Draft speeches, presentations, and other communication materials for elected officials.
• Coordinate and manage communications for city leaders and elected officials for external events such as the annual State of the City address and Chamber awards banquet.
  
  

Crisis Communications

• Leads development and execution of crisis communication strategies and protocols to mitigate risk, protect the organization’s reputation, and maintain public trust.
• Provides real-time communication guidance to city leadership and elected officials during crisis situations and ensures coordinated messaging across departments and partners.
• Works in coordination with Public Safety and Emergency Management to align communication strategies during emergencies and serves in the Emergency Operations Center when activated.
  
  

Other Job Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned or directed.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Behaviors

• Ability to embrace and embody the City’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.)
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
• Strong understanding of organizational strategy and the ability to develop and execute communications that align with organizational priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and drive results with a high level of energy, urgency, and ownership.
• Demonstrated ability to build professional trust-based relationships across teams and functions, while maintaining appropriate boundaries, exercising sound judgement, and making objective, consistent decisions in the best interest of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at a strategic level, anticipate emerging communication needs, and proactively develop solutions that position the organization effectively.
• Proven experience managing staff, setting clear expectations, holding team members accountable, and addressing performance issues directly and constructively.
• Ability to work in close partnership with executive leadership and peer managers to ensure alignment, consistency, and shared ownership across communications and across the team.
• Strong judgment and ability to navigate complex, politically sensitive, and high-visibility situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Demonstrated ability to develop clear, concise, and strategically aligned communications deliverables for executive leadership.
• Experience leveraging data, technology, and emerging tools to improve communication effectiveness and organizational impact.
  
  

Required Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the below Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute.

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or English or closely related field supplemented by two (2) or more years experience in a communications management role and five (5) or more years experience that includes executive communications, public relations, communications strategy and implementation journalism, writing, and marketing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
  
  

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a drug screen and background check.
• Must have Class C Texas Driver’s License
  
  

Physical Demands/Supplemental

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently (over 2/3 of the time) required to listen, talk, and sit. The employee is occasionally (between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time) required to stand and walk. The employee is rarely (under 1/3 of the time) required to reach, touch, handle or feel objects, and lift and/or exert force up to ten (10) pounds. Close vision and color vision are special vision requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

There is limited exposure to environmental conditions.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The City of McKinney is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.