Business development & public affairs manager - city

PAY AND FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) STATUS:

Pay Range: 522

Hourly Rate: $48.03 - $73.38

Annual Rate: $100,286.64 - $153,217.44

FLSA Status: Exempt

The normal starting pay for this position is the minimum of the pay range listed above. A higher rate of pay may be considered, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the selected applicant and/or the City’s step placement policy.

OVERAGE POSITION

This position is an overage. Funding for this position will be re-evaluated on a fiscal year basis.

APPLICATION, HIRING, AND BACKGROUND

• When completing the application, applicants will be asked to respond to application questions. These application questions are based on the Job Requirements for the position.
• Completion of the application questions is required.
• Applicant responses to the application questions must specifically answer the questions asked.
• Responses to application questions must be supported by work history/information listed on the application/resume, sufficient to demonstrate qualifications for the position.
• Applicants may upload only two attachments. Attachments may include, but are not limited to a resume, cover letter, DD214 or NGB Form 22, transcripts, etc. Applicants may also choose to combine documents into one file for upload.
• Applications may not be reviewed if specific responses to application questions have not been provided.
• Each application submission is reviewed independently.

For detailed information about the City’s hiring and background processes, check out the: Quick Guide to Hiring and Background Checks

If you have questions, check out the: Frequently Asked Questions

TOTAL REWARDS

At the City of Oklahoma City, our Total Rewards package is designed to honor your service, fuel your growth, and support every part of your life. We offer:

• Competitive pay
• An average of $22,000 annually contributed toward your benefits and retirement
• A comprehensive package designed to support your health and wellness, financial security, work-life balance, and personal and professional growth and development

Explore all the ways we invest in you: City of Oklahoma City Total Rewards

JOB SUMMARY

The Business Development & Public Affairs Manager (BDPAM) will be responsible for leading public relations, community engagement, creative services, and marketing and business development activities for Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) seven service lines. This position will report to the Department Director and serve as a member of the leadership team. The BDPAM will be responsible for establishing strong community and business partnerships; driving ridership and parking customer growth; maintaining strong relationships with the media; developing and implementing business development and marketing plans and strategies that promote brand recognition and a positive perception of Public Transportation and Parking Department (EMBARK) both locally and nationally; overseeing the division’s budget; and serving as an ambassador for Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) brand identity and voice, ensuring that creative collateral, across the organization, represents Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) brand in a unified and effective way.

Essential job functions include: Leading, directing, and coordinating the activities of all business development, marketing, public affairs, and creative service activities for Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) family of services by updating related best practices; incorporating up-to-date research, and third-party expertise (e.g., Google, Facebook, Media agency guidelines) to advise division efforts. Serving as Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) Public Information Officer (PIO) and primary liaison with the media and community stakeholders by developing and implementing compelling community engagement and public relations campaigns. Forecasting for future staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; reviewing and approving department expenditures and implementing adjustments. Utilizing and understanding of EMBARK’s services; developing and overseeing implementation of Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) Business Development and Marketing Plans. Outlining long- and short-term strategies to increase revenue, grow the customer base, and advance Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) brand position by translating brand vision into clear creative direction for our in-house and external creative partners/resources. Providing leadership for the ongoing interpretation of brand guidelines in support of new applications across the organization. Conceptualizing and directing multimedia work including performance creatives, email templates, banner ads, digital videos, offline collateral, content marketing design assets, and social media.

VETERANS PREFERENCE

Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Active Duty Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserve Forces who are not currently employed full-time by the City of Oklahoma City and who meet the qualifications for the position shall be given preference. To receive preference, veterans must submit verification of honorable discharge from the United States military service (Department of Defense Form DD214 or NGB Form 22) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Experience creating and implementing marketing campaigns and programs.
• Experience developing marketing and business development plans and strategies.
• Experience developing, administering, maintaining, and overseeing the division’s annual budget; in conjunction with divisional managers.
• Experience in developing and maintaining good working relationships with other city departments, metro area municipal and county governments, state and federal agencies, planning organizations, business leaders, and elected and appointed officials at the city, county, state, and federal levels in coordination with Executive Staff.
• Experience analyzing marketing and business development environments and developing innovative partnerships and marketing opportunities.
• Experience leading, developing, and implementing effective and equitable public involvement, communication, education, engagement, and promotion strategies that foster community support for organizational initiatives to meet our diverse community’s needs.
• Experience managing crisis communications and emergency responses.
• Skill in hiring, building, and developing an effective team with a reputation for developing visually inspiring and compelling promotional campaigns, creating workable solutions, delivering on commitments, and celebrating accomplishments.
• Skill in implementing promotional programs to promote a positive public image.
• Skill serving as the spokesperson and lead to all media relations and communications including news releases, press conferences, media interviews, and related content delivery.
• Ability to communicate, present, and captivate audiences through written word, oral presentations, and various media platforms to culturally and socioeconomically diverse audiences in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability identifying and collaborating on opportunities to continuously refine Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) brand story and generate widespread awareness, engagement and understanding of Public Transportation and Parking Department’s (EMBARK) vision, mission and strategic initiatives through community involvement, business development, sales, promotions, and partnerships.
• Ability to manage, negotiate, and monitor compliance of contracts.

COMPETENCIES

• One City, One Team (Teamwork/Team Oriented)
• Service First (Customer Centric)
• Respect Always (Leads Through Influence)
• Own the Outcome (Execution and Results)
• Keep Getting Better (Commitment to Continuous Improvement)
• Empathetic Leadership
• Judgment
• Talent Development
• Strategic Thinking
• Agility

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Primarily indoors, in a climate-controlled environment.
• Occasionally required to work beyond normal scheduled work hours, or on-call hours.
• Occasional local or out-of-town travel to meetings, conferences, or seminars.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Near vision enough to read and draft written communications or machine generated reports, etc.
• Speech and hearing enough to communicate in person and by telephone.

OTHER DETAILS

Pay Method: City employees are required to receive pay electronically, either via direct deposit or pay card.

Former Employees: If this position is open to external applicants and you are a former employee, you must be eligible for rehire to participate in any selection process. If you are unsure of your rehire status, please contact the Human Resources Department at (405) 297-2530. If your rehire status has been coded “Not Eligible,” “Eligible 3,” or “Conditional,” you will need to request a review of your rehire status through the Human Resources Department’s Employee and Labor Relations Division.

Background Investigation, Drug Testing, Physical Examination: Upon a conditional offer of employment/acceptance of position, the City of Oklahoma City will conduct a criminal history background check for external applicants. Applicants will be provided contact information for any third-party reporting agencies used to collect background information in connection with conditional offers of employment.

If the position accepted includes a driver license (commercial or non-commercial) Job Requirement, the City of Oklahoma City will obtain a Motor Vehicle Report for internal and external applicants.

If the position accepted is safety sensitive and/or a driving position, internal and external applicants will be provided a copy of the City of Oklahoma City's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy prior to being directed for a drug test. A copy is also available at the link below: HRB 25-01 Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedure

If the position accepted is cyber security sensitive, internal and external applicants will be subject to a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Interstate Identification Index (III) Fingerprint Background check. Additionally, employees in this job classification must complete Level 4 Security Awareness Training and pass an online certification test.

If the position accepted includes a lift/push/pull/carry Physical Requirement of 25 pounds and greater, internal and external applicants will be directed for a physical examination.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

If you require reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process, please notify one of the Human Resources Department Representatives by calling 405-297-2530. The City of Oklahoma City will not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, actual or perceived sexual orientation, and gender identity and/or expression), national origin, age, disability (mental or physical) and genetic information (including family medical history).

About Us

Oklahoma City is one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States and is the 20th largest city in the nation. For nearly two decades our residents have continually invested in our community to make it a place people can find belonging, visit and call home. Our employees are at the heart of those investments–delivering essential services our residents expect and creating a strong and thriving city for all people. Visit Oklahoma City--A Great Place to Live and Work! to learn more about our city.

Our Vision: A vibrant, diverse, safe, and welcoming community

Our Mission: Deliver exceptional service to residents and visitors

Our Values: One City, One Team. Service First. Respect Always. Own the Outcome. Keep Getting Better.

We are proud to be recognized by Forbes as #14 on the list of America’s Best Employers by State (2026) and even prouder of the people who make that possible. Join our team and build a fulfilling career in public service, alongside talented, hardworking, and dedicated coworkers who provide essential services to thousands of residents and visitors every day.

Our Total Rewards package (full-time employees) reflects our deep investment in our employees’ health, growth, and future, with an average of $22,000 per employee annually in benefits and retirement. Why? Because when our employees thrive, our city thrives.