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NEOGOV · 1 day ago

Chief of Public Affairs

Houston, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$160K/yr - $170K/yr

8+ years exp

NEOGOV is seeking an experienced Chief of Public Affairs to lead the Public Affairs Division within the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office. The role involves developing and executing a comprehensive public affairs strategy, overseeing communications and policy teams, and ensuring alignment with the office's goals and objectives.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive public affairs strategy that integrates communications, policy development, and legislative priorities aligned with HCTO’s mission, strategic planning framework, and key performance measures

Serve as a senior advisor to the Tax Assessor-Collector and Chief of Staff on all matters related to public affairs, communications, messaging, policy positioning, building partnerships, and strategic outreach

Provide proactive and strategic counsel to senior leadership on public perception, messaging, crisis communications, and policy impacts

Ensure alignment between public messaging, policy recommendations, legislative strategy, and organizational performance goals

Anticipate emerging issues, opportunities, and risks and proactively adjust public affairs strategies accordingly

Work with senior leadership to identify and address public affairs needs and opportunities, ensuring proactive and responsive engagement with stakeholders

Monitor trends in public policy, media, and public opinion and routinely review and revise the office’s public affairs strategy to ensure the office’s positioning remains aligned, timely, and impactful

Lead, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary public affairs team, ensuring high performance, alignment with strategic priorities, and effective team collaboration

Manage, develop, and inspire the public affairs team, providing mentorship, support, and professional development opportunities

Foster a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages creativity and aligns priorities, resources, and talent, and maximizes impact

Establish priorities, workflows, and performance standards to ensure high-quality output under tight deadlines

Develop, coordinate, and execute public affairs strategies to enhance branding, communications, marketing, outreach, and partnerships

Provide direction and guidance on the development and execution of a strategic communications plan for the office, which includes print and digital content (such as social media, website content, multimedia production, and newsletters), reports, public notices, and educational or informational materials

Oversee messaging and communications strategies that highlight the Tax Assessor-Collector's accomplishments, initiatives, and policy priorities across multiple platforms

Ensure communications strategies are timely, accurate, and responsive to the media, stakeholders, and the public

Maintain message discipline and coordination across internal and external partners

Oversee the development and maintenance of the office’s brand identity, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with organizational values

Manage the Tax Assessor-Collector's presence in the public sphere, ensuring that all external communications enhance the office's reputation and mission

Proactively develop relationships with media outlets and oversee responses to media inquiries

Review and/or consult on press releases, talking points, media advisories, and other public-facing content that effectively communicate the office's initiatives and positions

Provide guidance and review to the Communications Team in preparing speeches, presentations, reports, and other materials that represent the office's work to the public and government entities

Prepare and coach tax office employees for interviews, press conferences, and public appearances

Lead crisis and rapid-response communications, ensuring timely, coordinated, transparent, effective, and accurate responses during sensitive situations

Identify opportunities to highlight the Tax Assessor-Collector's accomplishments and initiatives, ensuring positive media coverage and public awareness

Attend and represent the office at key community meetings, public hearings, and events

Review talking points, briefings, and presentations to enhance staff interactions with the public

Advise on public-facing events, including groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, and public forums, ensuring successful execution and effective communication

Oversee logistics and communications needs related to special events, ensuring all public events reflect the offices’ standards, messaging, and brand

Work with internal teams to coordinate outreach efforts that educate and engage the public on key office initiatives, policies, and services

Facilitate and enhance the office’s relationships, interactions, and coordination with other government stakeholders, such as court offices and other governmental agencies, offices, and departments

Manage and oversee the Policy Team in the identification, monitoring, and analyzing developments in local, state, and federal government that may affect the office’s operations, policies, and public perception

Advise the Tax Assessor-Collector and leadership on policy matters, legislative actions, and government relations strategies

Develop strategies for strengthening relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and community leaders to foster support for the office's priorities

Provide strategic insights into government affairs, ensuring that the office’s objectives align with broader public policy goals and initiatives

Collaborate with government relations, legal counsel, policy team, finance team, and senior leadership as needed

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification

Public Affairs StrategyStrategic CommunicationsGovernment Affairs & Public PolicyLeadership & Team ManagementMedia RelationsBrand ManagementProject ManagementWriting & Presentation SkillsAdaptability & Problem Solving

Required

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Operations, Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field

A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in public affairs, communications, government relations, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a leadership role

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including elected officials, government agencies, media, and community leaders

Proven experience in policy development, media relations, and communication, with a demonstrated ability to manage high-profile situations and maintain positive relationships under pressure

Proven skill in guiding, mentoring, and managing high-performing teams with an ability to foster a collaborative and results-driven environment

Expertise in developing and executing comprehensive public affairs strategies that are impactful and align with the office's overall strategic plan and organizational goals

Expertise in leading a team to develop and execute a comprehensive communications plan that effectively engages diverse audiences across multiple platforms

Strong understanding of the legislative process, government operations, policy development, and the ability to analyze and interpret legislative and regulatory issues impacting the office

Experience overseeing media relations functions and guiding teams to proactively engage with media, ensuring consistent messaging and strategic communications

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear, compelling content for various audiences and deliver impactful presentations

Expertise in planning, coordinating, and managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and successful completion

Expertise in developing, maintaining and enhancing an organization's brand identity through consistent, high-quality messaging and visual standards

Ability to navigate and lead through change while remaining flexible and effective under pressure; proactive, self-motivated, and mission driven