Communications Manager

Communications Manager

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day. We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

The Communications Manager leads H-GAC's centralized communications function, providing strategic direction and day-to-day oversight for branding, outreach, media relations, and digital communications that support all agency programs (e.g., transportation planning / MPO, community and environmental planning, workforce, economic development, public safety, and resiliency). This role builds a collaborative, service-oriented communications model that ensures internal client satisfaction, brand consistency, and high-quality, accessible public engagement across diverse communities in the Houston-Galveston region.

Strategic Leadership and Team Management

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team (1015 staff) spanning branding, creative design, outreach / public involvement, media relations, and digital media.

Establish a service-oriented intake and project management model with prioritization, and resource allocation to meet program needs on time and within budget.

Develop and implement an agency-wide communications strategy and annual work plan aligned with H-GAC's mission and Board priorities.

Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, accountability, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making.

Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development; recruit and onboard new team members.

Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and program managers on communications strategy and risk.

Brand and Creative Services

Own H-GAC's brand strategy, voice, and visual identity; maintain brand guidelines and toolkits.

Oversee creation and quality control of creative assets (print, video, web, social, presentations) and ensure consistency across all programs and channels.

Partner with programs to create integrated campaigns that translate complex policy and technical topics into clear, accessible content for diverse audiences.

Digital Communications

Lead social media strategy, content, community management, and reputation monitoring.

Manage email marketing, CRM / list management, and marketing automation; segment and personalize outreach where appropriate.

Media Relations and Public Information

Support the Media Relations Coordinator; develop media strategies, pitches, press releases, op-eds, and media kits; prepare spokespeople and provide media training.

Coordinate responses to media inquiries; manage issues / crisis communications.

Maintain media monitoring and measurement; build strong relationships with local, regional, and state media outlets.

Public Outreach and Engagement

Lead inclusive public involvement strategies for programs and plans (e.g., MPO / transportation, environmental, community planning), including public meetings, hearings, and stakeholder workshops.

Ensure compliance with Title VI, ADA, Environmental Justice, LEP / language access, open meeting / public notice requirements, and H-GAC policies.

Cultivate community partnerships and outreach with civic organizations, and local governments across the 13-county region.

Coordinate event planning, exhibits, speaker bureaus, and sponsorships as needed.

Measurement, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

Define KPIs for campaigns and channels (reach, engagement, sentiment, conversions, public participation metrics, internal client satisfaction).

Produce regular performance reports for leadership and the Board; drive data-informed improvements.

Implement feedback loops with program teams and the public to enhance service and outcomes.

Budgeting and Vendor Management

Develop and manage the communications budget; forecast resource needs and track expenditures.

Lead RFPs and manage external vendors / consultants (creative agencies, printers, translators, media monitoring, digital tools) to scope, negotiate, and evaluate performance.

Internal Communications and Change Enablement

Partner with HR / Executive leadership on internal communications to support organizational initiatives and employee engagement.

Provide training and toolkits for staff on brand, plain language, community engagement, and media readiness.

Key Qualifications

Strategic thinking and planning; ability to set vision and operationalize plans.

Servant leadership and team development; coaching and performance management.

Exceptional communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

Project and portfolio management, prioritization, and deadline discipline.

Results orientation with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Customer service mindset and collaborative approach across departments.

Do you have

Bachelor's degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study.

5 years of experience working with local government, non-profit programs, schools or in job related duties.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in communications, public administration / public policy, urban planning, or a related field.

8+ years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, with at least 35 years leading teams and managing managers or cross-functional staff.

Proven track record in media relations, crisis / issues communications, and spokesperson training / coaching.

Hands-on experience with :

Website governance and CMS (e.g., Drupal, WordPress, Kentico or similar).

Email marketing / CRM (e.g., Granicus / GovDelivery, Active Campaign, Constant Contact).

Social media management and listening tools (e.g., Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Meltwater, Cision).

Adobe Creative Cloud or similar tools.

Strong writing and editing skills with ability to translate technical content for general audiences.

Experience managing budgets, contracts, and vendors in a public or regulated environment.

Ability to work effectively with elected officials, boards / committees, local governments, and community stakeholders.

Willingness to travel within the 13-county Houston-Galveston region; ability to work occasional evenings / weekends.

Experience in a council of governments, MPO, state / local government, or large nonprofit with complex program portfolios.

Familiarity with transportation planning, environmental planning, disaster recovery / resilience, workforce / economic development, or related H-GAC program areas.

Knowledge of accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 AA / Section 508), Title VI, ADA, Environmental Justice, and LEP / language access practices.

Accreditation / certifications : APR (Accreditation in Public Relations), CMP (meeting / event), or relevant FEMA ICS / NIMS courses for emergency communications.

Bilingual or multilingual (Spanish strongly preferred; Vietnamese, Chinese, or other languages common in the region are a plus).

Knowledge of Texas Public Information Act, Texas Open Meetings Act, public records / retention, and government procurement.

Experience with SEO / SEM, content personalization, and UX research / testing.