Deputy Director of External Affairs

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia airport is a dynamic place to work. It is the only major airport serving the 8th largest metropolitan area in the United States and is one of the busiest airports in the country. The City of Philadelphia Division of Aviation oversees both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Airport (PNE), the city’s general aviation reliever airport. The airport system operates through the Aviation Fund, which is an enterprise fund of the City of Philadelphia and is completely self-sustaining using no local taxpayer dollars to operate. Learn more about the airport at www.phl.org.

Our Mission: Proudly connecting Philadelphia with the world

Our Vision: World-class global gateway of choice

Our Values:

• People First - Our employees, stakeholders and passengers
• Respect - To ourselves, our customers and our environment
• Integrity - We hold ourselves responsible for what we do, say, and think
• Diversity – Purposefully Inclusive and accepting of all
• Excellence - We hold ourselves to the highest standards of service, innovation, and efficiency

Philadelphia Airport has won numerous awards for quality, diversity, and innovation:

• 2021 Civil Rights Advocate and Partner Award – FAA
• 2021 Leon C Watkins Guardian Award – ACI-NA
• 2021 Diverse Business Leader of 2021 – Kathy Padilla – Philadelphia Business Journal
• 2021 Advocate of the Year Award – City of Philadelphia Office of Economic Opportunity MEDWeek
• 2021 Philadelphia Aviation Project Award - March of Dimes Annual Transportation, Building and Construction awards
• 2021 Honorable Mention Balchen-Post Award for Excellence in the Performance of Airport Snow and Ice Control - NEC-AAAE
• 2019 Best Overall Program Award at Airport Experience Awards

This position is responsible for driving strategic engagement and outreach efforts to local, state, and federal government officials, community leaders, key stakeholders, and other organizations. The Deputy Director of External Affairs manages the communications, government affairs and community engagement teams for the Philadelphia International Airport and the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. This includes oversight of the external affairs strategy development and implementation, that supports and aligns with the Airport’s strategic goals. Helping to advance policy goals, increase awareness of the airport, improve the guests experience and provide innovative ideas to build for the future.

The Deputy Director of External Affairs reports to the Chief Administrative Officer and is a member of the Senior Management of the Airport.

Essential Functions

• Oversee the Communications, Government Relations and Community Engagement teams for Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE).
• Serve as the senior strategic advisor and lead on public affairs initiatives to the CEO.
• Report directly to Chief Administrative Officer, working to promote the organization’s vision and strategy to external stakeholders.
• Create a PHL/PNE External Affairs Strategy, directly supporting the PHL/PNE strategic plan through the portfolio’s three departments.
• Raise the profile of PHL and PNE through traditional news media, public events, social media, and other communications outlets, as well as public outreach.
• Serve as a spokesperson for PHL and PNE, representing the organization in media and events.
• Lead an effective government relations implementation strategy to ensure strong, long-term support for PHL/PNE at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Strengthen and deepen the connections to key audiences, including political leaders, international and regional collaborators, public organizations, and partners, and develop and lead efforts to expand PHL/PNE’s reach to new strategic audiences.
• Lead the community engagement effort for PHL and PNE in all facets of the organization’s work through internal programming and external relationships.
• Provide a structure for community engagement that allows Airport programs to meet desired outcomes and fulfill long-term impact goals.
• Create and implement annual goals to deepen engagement within the community and identify opportunities for further participation with the Airport and its programs.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Creates, promotes, and maintains an inclusive workplace that acknowledges, understands, accepts, values, celebrates and respects the differences among individuals, in such areas as, race, age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, culture, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, or other demographics.
• Ensures that practices, processes, and programs are impartial, fair and provide equal possible outcomes for every individual.
• Takes active steps to eliminate acts, behavior, and speech, which reflect discrimination and prejudice.
• Serve on the ESG steering committee to establish and oversee the organization’s environment, social and governance program.
• Manage all media contacts.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to develop multi-pronged communications plans that are ambitious and achievable, and that both deepen public understanding/awareness about critical issues and promotes the organization.
• Exceptional strategic sensibility, including the ability to develop effective messaging that brings together consumer, brand, policy, and political lenses.
• Demonstrated understanding of political processes (local, county, state and federal) and the ability identify, analyze, and communicate legislative, regulatory and policy issues
• Ability to identify and build strategic relationships with key government leaders, policy makers, industry, community leaders and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to research, analyze and recommend strategies for program and policy development.

Bachelor’s degree in political science/government, public administration, communications, or related field and ten (10) years of experience in government and community relations at the state and/or federal level.

Additional Information

Must pass and maintain SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) and AOA (Airfield Operations Area) Clearance at the time of appointment and during tenure of employment.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a resume.

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available

• The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Please note that effective September 1, 2021 the City of Philadelphia is requiring all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

The City of Philadelphia, Division of Aviation, is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx