Public Information Manager (Director of Communications)

Salary: $107,661.00 Annually
Location : Nashville, TN
Job Type: Full-Time Civil Service
Job Number: 27093E
Division: Nashville Department of Transportation
Department: NDOT GSD Administration
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/23/2026 11:59 PM Central

Position Description
The Nashville Department of Transportation & Multimodal Infrastructure is seeking a Director of Communications to lead the agency's media relations, marketing, social media, public information, and events and outreach team. The incumbent reports to the department's Chief of Staff and will also work closely with the NDOT Director. In this role, the candidate will be responsible for further developing the department's brand identity to ensure transparent and effective communication that reaches residents of Nashville. The Director of Communications will collaborate with subject matter experts, including with the Mayor's Office of Nashville, the Choose How You Move Program Management Team, Metro Planning, and WeGo Public Transit, to tell stories and share information that meet marketing and communications goals. Performs other related duties as assigned.
The Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure delivers a range of services, and the nearly 400 employees work around the clock to ensure a multimodal system that offers choice and better connects neighborhoods, residents, businesses and visitors to the place that they need and want to go to in a safe manner. These employees are responsible for over 2,200 miles of public roadways and rights-of-way, over 6,000 streets, over 300 bridges, 835 traffic signals and over 1,200 miles of bike/sidewalk lanes and much more. Big events in Nashville consist of CMA Festival, Stanley Cup Finals, Titans games, and any number of special events. These require big preparation and big clean-up and the Nashville Department of Transportation employees are up for the challenge.

Typical Duties

• Serves as the department's Chief Storyteller.
• Oversees all department functions related to media relations, public records, marketing & education, website management, visual communications and outreach events.
• Provides strategic direction for what the department should be communicating to residents, partners, elected officials, and when the information is disseminated.
• Innovates on new communications strategies to reach both targeted and broader audiences.
• Directs all media relations and serves as the primary spokesperson for the department or identifies and prepares the appropriate subject matter expert.
• Drafts or approves all external communications-advisories, press releases, social media content, newsletters and more.
• Manages the overall communications budget to ensure the team stays on track throughout the fiscal year.
• Manages a professional communications team dedicated to telling the department's story through traditional and non-traditional methods.
• Measures and tracks key metrics including engagement and audience growth to determine how to best reach various audiences.

• Ensures accuracy, relevancy, and consistency in key messages, voice, themes, and branding and design guidelines.
• Manages crisis communications during Emergency Operations Center activations as well as other events as needed.
• May drive to various locations throughout Nashville and Davidson County.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of public relations, journalism, or related experience.

For this specific position, substitution will not be considered".
LICENSES REQUIRED

Valid Driver License

Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.

Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Five (5) years managing communication professionals
• Experience with communicating effectively, verbally, in writing, and under pressure.
• Works to adapt to shifting external relations dynamics.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of contacts in the local media and among local community-based organizations.
• Skilled in interpreting and disseminating information, and the ability to operate effectively in a collaborative work environment.
• Works to partner across teams to build consensus and drive a consistent & coherent message.
• Demonstrated excellence in problem-solving and decision-making; exhibits critical thinking and results-oriented skills.
• Experience with juggling competing priorities and shifting gears as needed.

Full-time, Civil Service positions -
10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
1 Sick Day per month
12 Paid Holidays per year

Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions -
20 vacation days per year
3 Personal days per year
1 Sick Day per month
12 paid holidays per year

Part-time, Non Civil Service positions - Visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.

Full-time, Non Civil Service positions - contact hiring department for benefits information

Seasonal/Temporary positions - no benefits offered.
01

Do you have a valid Driver License?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

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03

If you have a degree, indicate your major field of study in the area below.
04

How many years of experience do you have in of public relations, journalism, or related experience?

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05

Briefly describe your experience with public relations, journalism, or related experience. If none enter N/A
06

How many years of experience do you have in managing communication professionals?

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07

Briefly describe your ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of contacts in the local media and among local community-based organizations. If none enter N/A
08

"NDOT is one of the newest agencies within the Metro Government, and we are interested in knowing why applicants are choosing a career with our organization. In one sentence, please tell us why NDOT is your 'employer of choice'."
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