Communications and Policy Director

The Director of Communications and Policy serves as the Authority's senior communications executive and principal policy advisor to the Executive Director.  This position leads the development and execution of strategic communications, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement initiatives that advance the Authority's mission to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater services.

Incumbents in this position are responsible for managing and coordinating stakeholder relations and the dissemination of public information for CFPUA internal and external communications. The position is a liaison between CFPUA and community stakeholders to communicate and coordinate information about solutions for the CFPUA service area.  This position is assigned to pay grade R39.

• The Director ensures that the Authority's positions, policies, and operations are effectively communicated to the public, elected officials, regulators, and key stakeholders.
• Manage CFPUA’s internal and external communication through the Public Information Officer (PIO) and other assigned staff.
• Develops, directs, and implements CFPUA’s approved communication strategies, policies, and procedures.
• Manages and collaborates with the PIO to create and implement messages; respond to media queries; issuing press releases; arrange interviews with executives, board members and employees; and provide guidance on media interviews and messaging.
• This role also advises the Executive Director, Authority Attorney, and senior leadership on policy developments at the local, state and national level affecting the Authority and works with other intergovernmental liaisons at the city, county, and state level to understand, evaluate and guide policy development and implementation.
• Cultivates community support by developing and maintaining relations with stakeholders, state and regional agencies, and media representatives, and other stakeholders to foster positive and mutually beneficial relationships.
• Manages and maintains CFPUA’s online and social media presence.
• Works with senior management to coordinate and implement strategy and solutions.
• Monitors legislative activities to include bill filing, executive actions, legislative committee work and actions by the count’s legislative delegations to the state and federal governments; provides regular updates to the Executive Leadership Team and the CFPUA Board, when appropriate.
• Interacts with community stakeholders, as appropriate, to understand impacts to potential policy and/or regulatory changes.
• Develops and maintains effective relations and communication with local, state, and federal governmental entities and agency staff, state legislators, interest groups, and other stakeholders for the purposes of advancing the county’s legislative interest.
• Under oversight by the Authority Attorney, obtains input on a regular basis from state and federal lobbyist regarding pertinent governmental matters and recommends the proper course of action to the Executive Director and Authority Attorney for advocating, addressing, or communicating specific issues or concerns.
• Along with other staff, organize and help manage special events and news conferences.
• Attends local and regional development meetings, public conferences, and ceremonies to manage information flow on CFPUA’s strategies, goals, and compliance and initiatives.
• Functions as PIO for emergency operations through the NIMS-ICS structure and coordinates emergency communication/public information with CFPUA staff and regional, state, and federal emergency management representatives.
• May oversee the work of other employees and external fellows and consultants performing duties to support internal and external public communications.
• This position is a member of the organization management team and is responsible for demonstrating and holding others accountable to the CFPUA values.
• This position is required to work in partnership with their own department and all other CFPUA departments toward achieving organizational goals.
• This position is responsible for creating a culture of belonging and inclusion.
• This position works in partnership with the Human Resources department to ensure staff completes all relevant employment training.
• This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all CFPUA policies and procedures.
• This position works in partnership with the Human Resources department to ensure compliance with federal and state employment law.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, web design or related course study.
• Ten (10) years of professional public information work experience in a managerial role or related work field including five (5) years of managing media relations and public relations including work in a governmental arena.
• Experience should include relationship building, and negotiations at a senior level.
• FEMA/NIMS training including 100, 200, 300 400, 700, 702, and 704 certifications are required or must be acquired within one year.

Other Essential Job Specifications

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  It is our policy to foster, maintain, and promote equal employment on the basis of qualifications and without regard to age, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, or genetic disorder.  

Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment status of all person hired to work in the United States.  Cape Fear Public Utility Authority participates in E-Verify.