Job Description:
The Change/Communications Manager ensures that all changes are managed in a controlled manner, encompassing standard changes and emergency maintenance related to business processes, applications, and infrastructure. This includes managing change standards and procedures, impact assessments, prioritization and authorization, emergency changes, tracking, reporting, closure, and documentation.
In addition, the Change/Communications Manager will develop, implement, and oversee both internal and external communication strategies. This role ensures that all communications are consistent with the City of Atlanta's brand, values, and goals. The successful candidate will have a strong background in public relations, corporate communications, and content creation.
Key Responsibilities - Change Management
- Process Establishment: Establish the process for change management and ensure each change follows the complete procedure to minimize disruption to IT services and business operations.
- Evaluation of Change Requests: Evaluate all requests for change (RFCs) to determine the impact on business processes and IT services, assessing potential risks to the operational environment.
- Change Authorization: Authorize acceptable changes, either independently or after a Change Advisory Board meeting.
- Controlled Introduction: Ensure changes are logged, prioritized, categorized, assessed, authorized, planned, and scheduled, and are introduced in a controlled and coordinated manner.
- Coordination: Liaise with all necessary parties to coordinate change building, testing, and implementation in accordance with schedules.
- Emergency Change Management: Carefully manage emergency changes to minimize further incidents, ensuring changes are controlled and secure. Verify that emergency changes are appropriately assessed and authorized post-implementation.
- Tracking and Reporting: Maintain a tracking and reporting system to document rejected changes, communicate the status of approved and in-process changes, and document completed changes.
- Implementation Verification: Ensure approved changes are implemented as planned and meet their objectives, referring back any changes that have been backed out or failed.
- Documentation Updates: Update solution and user documentation, and procedures affected by changes accordingly.
- Trend Analysis: Analyze change records to identify trends.
- RFC Closure: Ensure RFCs are closed properly.
- Management Reporting: Produce regular management reports.
- Configuration Management Collaboration: Work with Configuration Management to ensure configuration item (CI) changes are entered into the change management database (CMDB).
Key Responsibilities - Communications
- Strategic Planning: Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that align with the City of Atlanta’s objectives and enhance its public image. Create and manage the communication calendar to ensure timely and coordinated messaging.
- Content Creation and Management: Write, edit, and oversee the production of high-quality content for various platforms, including press releases, newsletters, blogs, social media, and the city website. Ensure all communications are clear, engaging, and tailored to the target audience.
- Media Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, journalists, and industry influencers. Proactively seek media opportunities and manage press inquiries to ensure positive and accurate coverage of the City of Atlanta.
- Internal Communications: Develop and implement internal communication plans to keep employees informed and engaged. Collaborate with HR and other departments to effectively communicate city news, updates, and initiatives.
- Crisis Communication: Prepare and execute crisis communication plans to manage and mitigate any potential negative publicity or issues. Act as a spokesperson for the city when necessary.
- Brand Management: Ensure consistent brand messaging across all communication channels. Monitor and analyze communication metrics to measure the effectiveness of strategies and make data-driven adjustments.
- Event Coordination: Plan and manage the communication aspects of city events, including press conferences, product launches, and community outreach initiatives.
Position Requirements
Formal Education and Certification
- College diploma or university degree in computer science, systems administration, communications, or a related field.
Knowledge and Experience
- ITIL v4 experience, with practitioner certification in change management preferable.
- Experience using change management tools.
- Knowledge of deployment and implementation methodologies (Agile, EDM, infrastructure, etc.) and related technical change management experience.
- Experience in project management and knowledge of approaches, tools, and phases of the project lifecycle.
- Solid understanding of the software development lifecycle.
- Understanding of configuration management principles.
- Familiarity with controls and audit compliance/SOX.
- Experience with digital marketing, including social media and content management systems.
- 5+ years of experience in a communications role, preferably within the public sector.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
- Proven track record of developing and executing successful communication strategies.
- Strong media relations skills and existing media contacts.
Personal Attributes
- Able to exercise independent judgment and take action on it.
- Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
- Excellent listening, written, and oral communication skills.
- Strong relationship, interpersonal, and team skills.
- Highly self-motivated and directed.
- Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $30.00 - $50.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Schedule:
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Writing skills: 1 year (Preferred)
- communications role, preferably within [industry/sector].: 6 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Atlanta, GA 30334 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Atlanta, GA 30334: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Atlanta, GA 30334