Job Description:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides leadership and advice on all matters related to HOC’s     internal and external communications; advises the Executive Director and other officials, on all public affairs and communication matters
• Designs and implements a comprehensive communications plan to meet the immediate and future needs of the organization.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and provides advisory services relative to the implementation of the Commission’s public affairs and communication programs.
• Serves as Press Secretary to the Executive Director and the organization’s official spokesperson on all matters related to the organization’s programs, activities, operations and issue responses
• Develops and ensures the establishment and maintenance of a strong professional relationship with the media as a means of providing information and education to the public on HOC’s programs, accomplishments and other news worthy activities.
• Evaluates all organization events, determines news worthiness and provides appropriate guidance and follow through with external contacts
• Continuously seeks out methods and techniques to build a positive public image for HOC
• Attends meetings with the Executive Director and other officials to advise on policies and procedures which have implications on public information; develops information and messages to support attainment of management goals and objectives
• Assumes responsibility for emergency communications, including inclement weather advisories and issue responses; initiates actions required; identifies any problem areas and recommends corrective action as appropriate
• Oversees, directs and ensures proper maintenance of content for internet, website, intranet portals and all social media platforms
• Gathers data needed to resolve operating problems with HOC’s public affairs and communication program planning; makes critical analyses, adopts, and directs changes of management policies which help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of programs.
• Directs the preparation of recurring and special publications such as the organization’s Annual Report and other collaterals
• Collaborates with the Office of Legislative Affairs to be apprised of information pertaining to new or changing policies, procedures, and special priority matters from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal and local government agencies
• Reviews staff communications, both internal and external, to assure coordinated presentations and messaging; makes recommendations concerning changes in policies, programs and procedures as may be necessary.
• Develops quantitative and qualitative measures of performance for individual staff members; ensures the routine collection of the information for these measures; performs required evaluations
• Supervises and effectively utilizes employees of the department by aligning talent and competencies and by providing feedback on staff work assignments; recommends personnel actions, to include approving/disapproving leave; interviewing and selecting new employees; investigates complaints and helps resolve differences between employees and groups of employees; provides training and gives guidance to ensure expeditious accomplishment of work and the continuous development and maintenance of competent staff
• Ensures PAC’s operating procedures are properly documented, updated, reviewed, and revised, as necessary; analyzes existing work methods and management techniques to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness
• Manages the budget planning processes; participates in the development of HOC’s annual budget; ensures that PAC operates within the established budget; advises the Executive Director on major budget issues that may present during the FY.

Preferred Skills:

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

• Extensive knowledge of public affairs and communications best practices with competency in key areas – Internet/intranet, development of printed communications materials, organization branding, preparation of video communication materials, media relations, government relations, issue management, events management
• Knowledge of the affordable housing industry
• Understanding of the national and local political environment and federal and local agencies with which the  Commission works
• Excellent oral and written language and communication skills

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public administration, management, business or related field from a four-year college or university; minimum of 5 years’ experience in public affairs and communications management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with HUD programs, low-income housing or multi-family housing is a plus.

Computer and Administrative Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of intranet/portal, internet, print, design, presentation and media software, spreadsheet software (MS Excel), word processing (MS Word) software and e-mail software. Ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Leadership: 

Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions and opinions of others; accepts feedback from others; and gives appropriate recognition to others.

Managing People: 

Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating, and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; makes self available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; fosters quality focus in others; improves processes, products, and services; and continually works to improve supervisory skills.

Business Acumen: 

Understands business implications of decisions; demonstrates knowledge of market; and aligns work with strategic goals.

Analytical: 

Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; and uses intuition and experience to complement data.

Commitment: 

Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency, and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.

Customer Service: 

Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors, and measures the needs of internal and external customers; responds to the needs of internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers; solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external)

Effective Communication: 

Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing; demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; and listens effectively. Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Exhibits strong group presentation skills; Actively participates in or guides meetings, as appropriate.

Written Communication: 

Writes clearly and informatively creating work that is generally error free; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret complex written information.

Responsiveness and Accountability: 

Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; and does one’s fair share of work.