Manager, Public and Media Relations

Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility. It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region.

Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service. If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs.

The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

• Develop and manage CATS’ media relations program, including press outreach, media inquiries, and relationship management
• Establish standards and workflows governing media engagement and public information release
• Maintain active working relationships with local, regional, and industry media organizations
• Monitor media coverage and identify emerging public narratives affecting the agency

• Oversee preparation and distribution of press releases, advisories, and official statements
• Coordinate timely dissemination of operational updates and service information to media outlets
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and clarity of public messaging
• Maintain systems for tracking media requests and responses

• Lead media communications during service disruptions, emergencies, and high-visibility incidents
• Coordinate messaging with Operations, Safety, and executive leadership
• Support spokesperson preparation and briefing
• Ensure rapid, coordinated response to urgent media inquiries

• Prepare executive leadership for media interviews and public briefings
• Develop talking points, background materials, and briefing documents
• Provide strategic guidance on media engagement approaches
• Support leadership participation in public forums

• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing teams to align messaging across platforms
• Translate technical and operational information into accessible public language
• Support development of multimedia content for press and public distribution
• Ensure message consistency across channels

• Track media engagement metrics and response performance
• Analyze trends in media coverage and public perception
• Recommend improvements to media engagement strategies
• Maintain documentation and reporting systems

• Supervise public information and media relations staff
• Establish performance expectations and operational standards
• Support professional development and training
• Ensure continuity of media operations

• Coordinate with Customer Service, Operations, Marketing, and Legal teams
• Align media communications with operational priorities
• Support cross-departmental initiatives requiring public messaging
• Participate in integrated communications planning

Media Relations Specialist

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in media relations, public information, or public communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience serving as a media relations lead or public information lead in a public-facing organization
• Experience supervising professional staff or leading work teams, including workflow management and performance accountability

• Master’s degree in communications, public administration, or a related field
• Experience in a public-sector, transportation, or regulated environment
• Experience leading crisis communications and incident-related public messaging
• Experience supporting executive spokespersons, media briefings, and high-profile public communications
• Experience using digital content platforms and engagement analytics to inform communications planning

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.