Communications Manager (Department of Labor)

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Department of Labor builds partnerships between management and the labor organizations representing City employees. As the City’s main point of contact for the labor community, the Department:

• handles negotiations between City unions and the City management and represents the City in union disputes;
• manages the City’s employee relations and EEO functions;
• provides the City workforce with compliance training on EEO, labor relations, and related topics;
• makes sure employers with City contracts pay prevailing wages and ensure that the workforce otherwise meets City requirements;
• resolves minimum-wage waiver requests; and
• administers and enforces the City’s worker protection laws, including, but not limited to, wage theft, sick leave, and fair work week laws.

The Office of Employee and Labor Relations has three primary functions:  (1) it acts as the City’s chief negotiator with our municipal unions and manages relations with those unions, including grievance dispute resolution; (2) investigates alleged violations of federal, state, and City EEO laws and related City policies; and (3) provides the City workforce with compliance training on EEO, labor relations, and related topics.  The Office also assists the Administration in developing and implementing City workforce strategies.

The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) enforces federal and City labor laws to ensure workers on City-funded and covered projects are paid fairly and treated in accordance with applicable wage, classification, apprenticeship, and workforce requirements. Through payroll review, site inspections, data analysis, and enforcement actions, OLS works to prevent wage theft and underpayment, promote workforce equity, and ensure contractor compliance, while supporting fair competition and responsible use of public funds.

The Office of Worker Protection (OWP) administers the City's worker protection ordinances, including, but not limited to, the Paid Sick Leave, Wage Theft, and Fair Work Week ordinances to ensure that Philadelphia workers receive their earned wages, are allowed to use sick time without retaliation, receive predictable work schedules, and are provided all other worker protections.  Through complaint-based and office-initiated investigations and proactive outreach and education to both community groups and employers, OWP works to ensure that all Philadelphia workers are protected.

Position Summary

The Communications Manager will be responsible for helping the Department to shape a communications strategy that clearly and effectively educates workers and employers on their rights and responsibilities, respectively, under relevant federal and City laws.  This position will also assist the Department with both internal and external communications highlighting the Department’s work.

Essential Functions

Under direction from the Director of Labor, the Communications Manager is responsible for:

• Creating, managing and executing communications, strategic enforcement, and engagement strategies for the Department of Labor, including, but not limited to, managing the Department’s social media accounts.
• Managing, tracking and reporting on ongoing digital and social media engagement for the Department.
• Tracking, reviewing and reporting on media coverage of the Department.
• Creating and reviewing metrics to determine success for communications and engagement.
• Creating press releases and statements, blog posts, and other website content.
• Working with Department leadership to ensure the Department website is up-to-date, accessible, and user-friendly.
• Working with the Directors of the Department’s Offices to create trainings and materials for outreach events.
• Inputting timely and accurate engagement data and special event info into databases, spreadsheets and shared calendars.
• Developing professional relationships with stakeholders in the media, advocacy and business communities.
• Successfully managing special projects as assigned.
• Pitching members of the press about positive news and responding to incoming inquiries as assigned.
• Developing talking points for the Chief Deputy Mayor, Director, Chief of Staff, and Offices’ Directors as assigned.
• Developing layout and design of materials and projects in collaboration with other City offices.
• Collaborating with other departments including the Office of Immigrant Affairs and Commerce.
• Lead and coordinates internal and external communications strategy for the entire Department of Labor, ensuring consistent messaging, public transparency, and alignment with the Mayor’s priorities.

Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Ability to develop press releases and manage social media presence.
• Ability to develop and execute Department-wide communications strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage sensitive and high-profile communications.
• Ability to assist in developing community engagement strategies.
• Ability to use computer programs such as PowerPoint or Adobe to create fliers or presentations.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex rules and procedures to the public and to businesses.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understands the functions, organization, and role of local government
• Knowledge of computer systems and software including Microsoft Office tools and Adobe.
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, and to create systems and processes.
• Ability to write in a clear, concise, and organized manner.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports and written findings.

• Education level bachelor’s degree
• At least five years’ experience in communications
• Experience in leading communications strategy preferred
• Familiarity with the City of Philadelphia is required
• Bi-lingual or multi-lingual is preferred

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit:

• cover letter
• resume
• writing sample
• references

Salary Range: $72,000 - $90,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected].

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx