Airport Director II - Communications (Senior Communications Director)

**Posting expires: December 3, 2026**

**Salary range: $140,000.00-$160,000.00**

Reporting to the Assistant General Manager, Communications & Marketing, the Airport Director II – Communications position (also referred to as Senior Communications Director) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Airport’s Communications Division, serving as a principal voice and senior communications authority for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

The Senior Communications Director is responsible for developing and executing proactive, integrated communications strategies that advance the Airport’s mission, strengthen its reputation, promote its operational and economic significance, and maintain public confidence. The position leads media relations, public information, strategic storytelling, executive communications, and crisis communications, ensuring that ATL’s priorities, accomplishments, initiatives, and operational developments are communicated accurately, effectively, and in a timely manner.

The Director is expected to take an active, forward-looking approach to media relations by identifying newsworthy developments, pitching stories to local, regional, national, and international media, cultivating strong relationships with journalists and editors, and securing meaningful earned media coverage. The position requires the ability to recognize emerging news opportunities, anticipate public and media interest, develop compelling story angles, and position the Airport as a credible and authoritative source on aviation, transportation, economic development, customer experience, and other matters relevant to ATL.

As a senior communications leader, the Director must exercise exceptional news judgment, editorial skill, responsiveness, and discretion. The position requires the ability to rapidly gather and verify information, develop clear and accurate messaging, prepare written materials under demanding deadlines, and respond effectively to breaking news, operational disruptions, sensitive issues, and reputational risks. The Director must be equally effective in proactive storytelling and time-sensitive communications, ensuring the Airport is prepared to communicate before, during, and after significant developments.

The Senior Communications Director advises the Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Airport executive leadership, and other designated officials on communications strategy, media positioning, emerging issues, public perception, and reputational considerations. The Director establishes communication priorities, manages departmental resources, directs assigned personnel, and ensures that communications activities are coordinated across Airport divisions and aligned with City policies and organizational objectives.

This position requires a high level of professional judgment, political and organizational awareness, writing proficiency, media relations expertise, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, highly visible, 24-hour airport environment.

**Supervision Received:**

Reports directly to the Assistant General Manager, Communications & Marketing. Works under general executive direction and is expected to exercise substantial independent judgment in managing daily communications operations, establishing media and communications priorities, responding to emerging issues, and recommending strategies to protect and advance the Airport’s reputation.

The Assistant General Manager establishes strategic objectives and organizational priorities, while the Senior Communications Director independently manages communications execution, media engagement, editorial decisions within delegated authority, and time-sensitive responses. The Director elevates significant, sensitive, or high-impact matters to executive leadership as appropriate and ensures that communications actions remain consistent with established policies, approved messaging, and delegated authority.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities:**

The following duties are representative of the position and are not intended to be exhaustive. The City of Atlanta may modify specific duties based on organizational needs.

**Strategic Communications and Media Relations**

* Provides strategic leadership and day-to-day direction for the Communications Division, overseeing media relations, public information, strategic storytelling, and other assigned communications functions.
* Develops and implements proactive communications strategies that advance ATL’s priorities, strengthen public understanding, and reinforce the Airport’s reputation as a leading global aviation and transportation hub.
* Leads proactive media outreach by identifying newsworthy developments, developing compelling story pitches, preparing media proposals, and pursuing coverage that highlights Airport achievements, operational improvements, innovation, economic impact, passenger services, infrastructure investments, and community contributions.
* Builds and maintains strong working relationships with local, regional, national, and international journalists, editors, producers, assignment desks, and other media representatives to increase opportunities for accurate, substantive, and timely coverage.
* Identify opportunities to position ATL executives and subject-matter experts as credible sources on aviation, transportation, airport operations, customer experience, infrastructure, technology, sustainability, and related topics.
* Develops and executes media engagement strategies that anticipate news cycles, identify emerging story opportunities, and ensure the Airport communicates proactively rather than relying solely on reactive responses to media inquiries.
* Monitors news coverage, public discussion, and emerging issues to identify opportunities, assess potential reputational concerns, and recommend appropriate communications strategies.

**Writing, Editing, and Editorial Leadership**

* Personally develops, writes, edits, and approves high-priority communications materials, including press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, executive messages, interview briefs, speeches, frequently asked questions, and other public information materials.
* Produces clear, accurate, compelling, and publication-ready content under tight deadlines, including during breaking news situations and rapidly evolving operational events.
* Translates complex aviation, technical, operational, financial, infrastructure, and policy information into accessible, newsworthy narratives tailored to diverse audiences.
* Establishes editorial standards for accuracy, clarity, consistency, tone, and timeliness across communications products and media responses.
* Reviews and refines communications prepared by staff, subject-matter experts, and other Airport departments to ensure factual accuracy, appropriate context, consistent messaging, and alignment with organizational priorities.
* Develops persuasive story angles, headlines, key messages, and supporting materials that communicate the significance of Airport initiatives and distinguish ATL’s activities and accomplishments in a competitive media environment.

**Breaking News and Rapid Response**

* Leads the Airport’s communications response to breaking news, emerging incidents, operational disruptions, significant delays, public concerns, and other time-sensitive developments.
* Rapidly gathers, verifies, and synthesizes information from Airport Operations, Public Safety, Aviation, Customer Experience, airlines, government agencies, and other relevant sources to support timely and accurate communications.
* Develops initial holding statements, media responses, talking points, public updates, and follow-up communications appropriate to the facts available and the circumstances of the situation.
* Exercises sound news judgment in determining what information can be confirmed and released, what requires additional verification, and when issues must be escalated to executive leadership or legal counsel.
* Coordinates timely, consistent communications across media channels and relevant Airport departments, ensuring that the public, journalists, employees, and stakeholders receive accurate information as circumstances evolve.
* Maintains readiness to address urgent communications needs outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and other periods when significant Airport developments require an immediate response.
* Establishes and maintains effective rapid-response procedures, escalation protocols, approval pathways, and coordination practices to support timely decision-making without compromising accuracy or accountability.

**Crisis Communications and Reputation Management**

* Develops and maintains crisis communications plans, procedures, and protocols in coordination with Airport leadership, Public Safety, emergency management personnel, the City, and other appropriate agencies.
* Leads communications strategy during emergencies, significant operational incidents, sensitive investigations, public controversies, and other situations that may affect passenger confidence, stakeholder trust, or the Airport’s reputation.
* Advises executive leadership on communications risks, public messaging, media positioning, reputational implications, and appropriate response strategies.
* Prepares executive statements, media briefings, public updates, and other communications materials for sensitive or high-profile situations, ensuring messaging is accurate, timely, coordinated, and appropriately responsive.
* Coordinates communications during rapidly evolving situations, balancing the need for speed and transparency with information verification, operational security, privacy, legal considerations, and established release protocols.
* Evaluates crisis communications effectiveness and recommends improvements to strengthen preparedness, response coordination, and public und