Public Affairs Manager

Position Title: Public Affairs Manager

FLSA Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (within business hours)

Pay: $70,000 annual salary

Reports to: VP of Government Affairs

Location: Downtown San Diego, Hybrid

*This position is subject to a background, pre-employment drug screening, and reference check.

*DSDP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Why this job? – Total Rewards Package

Join one of the San Diego Tribune’s 2023-2025 Top Workplaces!

• Bi-Weekly Paychecks
• Medical Coverage; Dental Coverage; Vision Coverage
• Discounted Parking Allotment or MTS Transit Pass
• Earn up to 15 days of Paid Vacation annually
• 5 days of Paid Sick Time annually
• 401K Plan + Employer Match (eligible after 6 months of employment)
• Employee Assistance Program

Position Summary

The Public Affairs Manager plays a key role in advancing Downtown San Diego Partnership’s advocacy, government relations, and public positioning efforts. This position supports policy-focused media relations strategy, strengthens relationships with government agencies, community stakeholders, and media partners, and helps communicate the organization’s policy and advocacy priorities to external audiences. Through strategic communications, civic engagement, and public affairs initiatives, the Public Affairs Manager helps elevate Downtown San Diego Partnership’s voice and drive positive impact throughout Downtown San Diego.

Responsibilities

Media Relations & Public Positioning

• Lead media relations strategy and execution to elevate the organization’s visibility and public positioning.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets, reporters, editors, and other communications partners.
• Pitch stories, op-eds, interviews, and thought leadership opportunities that highlight organizational priorities and initiatives.
• Coordinate interviews, including preparing briefing materials, talking points, and media preparation for leadership.
• Coordinate press conferences, media availabilities, and public-facing media events.
• Draft press releases, public statements, media responses, and other external communications materials.
• Monitor media coverage and manage rapid response communications related to emerging issues or public concerns.
• Align messaging and media strategy with the Marketing & Communications team to amplify advocacy and organizational priorities.
• Support executive visibility through speaking opportunities, media features, quotes, and public appearances.
• Translate public policy priorities and advocacy efforts into clear, compelling public narratives.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the organization’s voice and strengthen its role as a thought leader on downtown issues.
• Track, analyze, and report on media coverage, engagement, and communications impact.

Government and Community Partnership

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, elected officials, and other stakeholders relevant to downtown San Diego.
• Serve as a trusted liaison between the Downtown San Diego Partnership and government staff, community groups, fostering partnerships and collaborations to enhance civic engagement efforts.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating community forums, town hall meetings, and events that encourage inclusive dialogue, gather feedback, and promote active citizenship.

Public Relations and Communication

• Assist in drafting briefing documents for the Leadership Team in advance of government stakeholder meetings.
• Draft policy talking points for internal and external meetings for the senior leadership team.
• Draft policy-related social media content and monitor social media channels for related DSDP issues.
• Create monthly policy talking points to be distributed across the organization for alignment.

Education and Empowerment

• Develop and deliver educational materials, workshops, and training sessions that empower community members, businesses, and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools for effective civic engagement.
• Provide guidance and support to individuals and groups seeking to address downtown San Diego’s social, economic, and environmental challenges.
• Organize and facilitate leadership development programs and initiatives to cultivate future community leaders who will contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of downtown San Diego.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Public Administration, Urban Studies, Communications, Public Relations, Community Development) or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience in public affairs, media relations, community organizing, civic engagement, communications, or related fields, preferably in an urban context.
• Excellent knowledge of public policy, community development, grassroots advocacy, and strategic communications.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and facilitate productive dialogue.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans, communications strategies, and advocacy initiatives.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with media outlets, drafting public communications materials, and managing external messaging.
• Experience in volunteer management, including recruitment, training, and retention.
• Familiarity with downtown San Diego’s social, economic, and political landscape is highly desirable.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.

About the Downtown San Diego Partnership

The Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the principal voice and driving force behind the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego through membership, advocacy, public services, and community investment. The organization’s nearly 300 members, representing a variety of business sectors including real estate, technology, banking, law, defense, insurance, communications, energy, and tourism are committed to nurturing a Downtown that benefits the entire San Diego region.

It also serves as the managing organization for several special districts and charitable foundations including the Property and Business Improvement District – otherwise known as Clean & Safe – which provides essential public services in the 275 blocks of Downtown. Through these programs, we have provided enhanced services in maintenance, safety, beautification, and homeless outreach, supported business promotion and retention, and improved the quality of life on behalf of Downtown’s neighborhoods for more than 20 years. In all, these programs provide an annual contractual budget of approximately $13 million annually. To learn more about our work in these areas, please visit: downtownsandiego.org.

Our Values

Deliver excellent service: We strive to provide exceptional customer service through listening to our customers, providing efficient services, and innovative solutions resulting in value for our many stakeholders.

Be fun and open-minded with a quirky sense of creativity: We work hard but take time to celebrate our collective achievements and realize there's always more than one perspective to consider when approaching a challenge.

Pursue growth and learning: We invest in our people so they can continue to build skills and perspectives that enrich the work we do.

Build honest relationships and communication: We believe honesty leads to strong relationships built on a foundation of trust.

Nurture a safe work environment: We have a collective commitment to emphasize safety over competing goals to ensure the protection of people and our environment.

Inclusiveness and diversity: We honor the inherent value of every individual’s unique story, experience, and perspective. We strive to amplify the voices of our staff, community, and stakeholders and to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can contribute one’s authentic self.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the Downtown San Diego Partnership, we are an organization that attracts and empowers diversity throughout our workplace and in the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the whole person and the lived experience that makes each of us unique. We strive to foster a safe environment, both internally within our organization and externally towards the communities we engage with, in which we encourage all voices to be heard and amplified as needed. We know our strengths come from championing our differences and acknowledge that each person deserves a voice and a seat at the table. Our ability to feel or be united through inclusion will result in better discussions, decisions, and outcomes that will allow us to advance the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego.