NEOGOV · 2 weeks ago
Media Relations Director
Houston, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$120K/yr - $150K/yr
7+ years expHarris County is the third-largest county in the United States, and they are seeking a Media Relations Director to lead their earned media strategy. This role involves developing media strategies, managing relationships with reporters, and overseeing press operations to ensure effective communication and public engagement.
GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware
Responsibilities
Build the annual earned-media plan aligned with the priorities of the office, the narrative plan, and policy calendar
Define target outlets, key beats, editorial-board goals, validators, and a forward-looking moments calendar
Set clear goals for framing, reach, and impact
Plan and place stories with smart sequencing—exclusives and embargoes—line up validators and surrogates and keep an editorial-board roadmap to land our “why” and “how” in top outlets
Lead rapid response—define triggers, agree on a message with the Director of Narrative Strategy, the Communications Director, and the leadership team; keep pre-approved language current; and meet speed targets
Set crisis posture and holding lines; coordinate legal/policy review; monitor and counter rumors and misinformation
Manage and coach the Press Secretary and Community Media Manager—set objectives, run 1:1s, review copy, and develop talent
Coordinate Spanish-language work with County translation services or trusted partners
Own and deepen relationships with key reporters and editors across local, state, and national outlets; schedule desk visits, background briefings, and media mixers
Maintain a reputation for credibility, speed, and accuracy
Co-lead launch plans with Narrative, Digital, and Creative teams so press coverage is in sync with other communication channels
Oversee media prep for the Commissioner and principals including briefing materials, key lines, Q&A, pivots, and interview preparation
Ensure culturally relevant framing; secure multilingual placements
Partner with the Digital Director, track how often our framing appears in coverage, placement quality, and audience reach
Publish a monthly “what worked / scale–pause–adjust” note; refresh the priority topics and targets quarterly
Maintain media policies and press playbooks (background and attribution norms, exclusives, response-time expectations); keep press lists current and segmented; set media-mix targets
Ensure press operations run smoothly
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's or graduate degree in Public Affairs, Communications, Journalism, or English is preferred but not required
7–10+ years in media relations, journalism, or strategic communications (or equivalent mix of newsroom and comms experience)
Proven record shaping coverage across local, state, and national outlets—examples of exclusives/embargoes, editorial boards, and placements that carried your framing
Experience managing a press bench and running complex launch plans end-to-end
Exceptional news judgment under pressure; able to craft first lines quickly, escalate appropriately, and steer crisis communications
Excellent writing and editing for press materials; skilled at briefing principals and coaching spokespeople (Q&A, pivots, interview prep)
Deep relationships with key reporters/editors and the ability to build new ones quickly, including community and Spanish-language outlets
Strong collaborator with narrative, digital, and creative partners to sync press with web/email, social, and assets
Demonstrated experience leading or shaping strategic communications on issues of equity and justice, particularly those affecting communities of color, with attention to credibility, cultural relevance, and public trust
Commitment to equity, plain language, accessibility, and Spanish-language parity
Preferred
Spanish proficiency a plus
Familiarity with the Texas or Houston media landscape is a plus but not required
Benefits
Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Wellness Plan
Life Insurance
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
One (1) floating holiday per year
Paid Parental Leave*
Sick Leave
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Professional learning & development opportunities
Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
Flexible work schedule*
METRO RideSponsor Program*
Company
NEOGOV
NEOGOV is the leading provider of workforce management software uniquely designed for the public sector, education, and public safety.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$700MKey Investors
Warburg Pincus
2025-07-28Secondary Market· $700M
2025-07-28Acquired
2021-06-02Private Equity
Leadership Team
Shane Evangelist
CEO
Brandon McDonald
Head Of Marketing
Recent News
Canada NewsWire
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Government Technology US
2025-10-31
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