Director, Public Affairs

• #1 Airport in North America and Indiana Chamber's Best Places to Work!
• Paid Childcare Reimbursements up to $10k/year, per child. 
• Paid Tuition Assistance up to $5,250/year
• Generous Medical, Dental, Vision and RX
• Free Healthcare through Marathon Health
• Pet Insurance
• Up to 5% Match Retirement Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off Programs & MORE 

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Director of Public Affairs, reporting to the Senior Director of Public Affairs, is responsible for managing and shaping the public image and reputation of the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA), including its six airports in the Indianapolis metropolitan area with an emphasis on the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). This role will develop and implement strategic communication strategies, handle crisis situations, and build relationships with key stakeholders.

Strategic external communications include managing the public-facing website (IND.com), developing organizational reports, brochures, and marketing materials, executing advertising campaigns and PR strategies, social media, and advising content delivery across mediums.

This position will play a crucial role in long-term projects at the airport, including but not limited to:

• Airport experience/customer excellence plans
• Master planning efforts
• Workforce development talent retention and attraction
• Community leadership
• Elevating the experience for major conventions and sporting events hosted in Indianapolis

The position requires proven knowledge, experience, sound judgment, and the ability to work in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment. Employee will be required to be on-call outside of normal business hours, including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

The Director of Public Affairs will lead the following strategic external communications and events, in partnership with the Public Affairs team and other internal IAA leadership and departments.

• Media inquiries
• Requests for interviews
• News conferences and media events
• Public IAA Board meetings and Board committee meetings
• Special events and community programming
• Requests for filming and photography in pre- and post-security areas
• Airport Emergency Plan
• Airport Preparedness Exercise (FAA required full-scale training once every three years)

This role will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that enhance the IAA’s reputation and promote positive relationships with, including but not limited to:

• Members of the public / traveling public
• Government officials
• Community leaders and peers in government, tourism, economic development
• Media outlets
• Airport business partners (airlines, concessionaires, TSA, CBP, FAA, DHS)
• Key stakeholders

This position will be a critical leadership role within the Public Affairs team and will work closely with senior leadership and peers to shape public perception, manage crisis communications, and champion the IAA’s mission and values.

Through effective management of internal team members’ skills and development opportunities and a healthy mix of external support staff with consultants, freelancers, and full-service agencies, this role will oversee a robust team of creatives, ensuring on-time project delivery. In partnership with IAA’s Procurement team, this employee will continually identify opportunities to optimize business partner relationships and software solutions to provide efficiencies, including developing solicitations, creating robust evaluation teams, negotiating contracts and contract renewals, and integrating the work into department operations.

• Monitor and analyze public opinion and legislative developments that may impact the organization's operations or public image.
• Foster and manage relationships with vital stakeholders, including government entities, community influencers, and media representatives.
• Monitor and assess public sentiment and legislative shifts, evaluating potential impacts on organizational operations and public perception.
• Serve as the organization's spokesperson (Public Information Officer), and manage media relations, including drafting press materials, preparing senior leadership/subject matter experts for interviews, and responding to media inquiries.
• Oversee crisis communications, including developing and implementing strategies to address negative publicity or issues that may impact the organization's reputation.
• Direct crisis communication efforts, devising proactive strategies to mitigate adverse publicity and safeguard organizational standing.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure unified messaging and congruence with organizational objectives and ethos.
• Strategize and execute public relations initiatives, campaigns, and events aimed at advancing organizational missions and initiatives.
• Supervise the Public Affairs budget, optimizing resource allocation and tracking expenditures diligently.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the public affairs team, nurturing talent and fostering professional growth opportunities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Timely, accurate responsiveness to all media inquiries and requests; strategic promotion of airport news through story pitches to appropriate media outlets.
• Produce and provide current, accurate communication about airport services, policies, and procedures to a variety of key stakeholders, including passengers and the general public through various mediums
• Develop, produce, and deliver high-quality print, digital, and broadcast communications targeting specific external audiences on time and on budget.
• Lead the efforts to prepare the IAA executive team, department directors, and others for media interviews, providing talking points and counsel for interview preparation, as well as conducting appropriate and necessary research for proper preparation.
• Develop, execute, measure, and evaluate comprehensive external communications programs as well as promotional tools for specific airport projects and events.
• Provide oversight and direction to direct reports.
  • Coach, counsel, mentor and develop direct reports, including oversight of performance reviews and providing career development planning and opportunities.
  • Empower direct reports to take responsibility for their job and goals, delegate responsibility, and expect regular feedback and accountability.
  • Lead direct reports to regularly exercise the organization’s strategic pillars of Customer Service, Economic Development, Stability & Sustainability, Workforce Development, Community Engagement, and Equity & Opportunity.
• Any other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, journalism, public relations, or related discipline.
• Minimum ten to fifteen (10-15) years in communications, media relations, public relations, marketing, customer service or related field.
• Minimum three to five (3-5) years’ experience in supervising direct reports.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, apply, and manage appropriate communications tools to meet business goals and measure success.
• Proven performance, experience, and success in crafting and executing external communication plans, public relations campaigns and customer excellence programs.
• Direct, hands-on experience in working with reporters, assignment editors, and photographers affiliated with print and broadcast news and trade media.
• Proven ability to perform in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, team player.
• Experience in working with outside advertising and marketing agencies and other service providers including printers.
• Experience in working with organizational and business executives, civic leaders, elected officials, and others in high-level positions.
• Outstanding written, verbal, organizational, technical, and time-management skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to walk, sit, use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms, balance, stop, talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus. Operate a motor vehicle with a valid driver’s license. Use of a computer, portable radio and other personal assistance devices (tablets or mobile phone) are a must for this position.

• Work Environment: This position is performed within an office environment approximately 90% of the time. The other 10% the employee will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. With multiple worksites the noise level varies from the office environment and the outside environment. The incumbent in this position is expected to work independently and as part of the team.

Salary : $5,250 - $10,000