External Communications Manager at Denver International Airport

<p>All interested candidates must apply directly through DEN’s external jobs page: <a href="https://denver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CCD-denver-denvergov-CSC_Jobs-Civil_service_jobs-Police_Jobs-Fire_Jobs/job/Denver-International-Airport/Manager-of-External-Communications---Denver-International-Airport_R0080504-1">https://denver.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CCD-denver-denvergov-CSC_Jobs-Civil_service_jobs-Police_Jobs-Fire_Jobs/job/Denver-International-Airport/Manager-of-External-Communications—Denver-International-Airport_R0080504-1</a></p> <p>Since opening on Feb. 28, 1995, Denver International Airport (DEN) has become one of the world’s busiest airports. In 2025, 82,427,962 passengers passed through DEN, making DEN 4th busiest airport in the U.S. and the world’s 10th busiest airport. DEN is Colorado’s primary economic engine, generating $47.2 billion in annual economic impact for the state. At DEN, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We celebrate individuality and strive to keep Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (EDIA) at the center of all that we do.</p> <p>Denver International Airport’s Global Communications and Marketing team is seeking a Manager of External Communications to lead strategic, high‑visibility communications that protect and enhance the airport’s reputation and public trust. This role oversees media relations, crisis communications, and proactive storytelling efforts; supervises the external communications team; and serves as a spokesperson for DEN. The Manager works closely with executive leadership, internal stakeholders, and partner agencies to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent messaging across all external channels.</p> <p>The Manager of External Communications provides senior-level media relations support, including pitching stories, researching complex issues, conducting interviews, and preparing subject matter experts. This position advises and supports the Director of Communications and division leadership on communications strategy for airport initiatives and emerging issues. The role is part of a rotating on-call schedule requiring 24/7 availability. The position reports to the Director of Communications and supervises two Public Information Officers and a Digital Communications Specialist.</p> <p>Additional responsibilities include:</p> <ul> <li>Work closely with the Director of Communications to develop, execute, and evaluate strategic external communications.</li> <li>Supervise the external communications team, which includes Public information Officers and a Digital Communications Specialist.</li> <li>Establish management practices and processes to meet performance goals.</li> <li>Develop strategic communication plans and strategies for enhanced PR with target audiences and distribute that information to internal and external audiences through a variety of communication channels.</li> <li>Draft messaging and statements for various issues and prepare talking points for leadership media interviews.</li> <li>Provide crisis communications and management during emergency situations, acting as a primary information source to the public and media, and work with stakeholders such as police, federal agencies, and airlines to coordinate responses and messaging.</li> <li>Handle day-to-day media relations, and serve as a spokesperson for various media inquiries.</li> <li>Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, national, and trade media outlets</li> <li>Participate in an on-call rotation (typically two-week cycles every four weeks) and be available during emergencies; occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required.</li> <li>Use data to develop strategic and compelling content for DEN’s blog and stakeholder newsletter.</li> <li>Lead and support special events, media briefings, press conferences, and major announcements.</li> <li>Create, edit, and proofread communications for public consumption including but not limited to reports, presentations, newsletters, blogs, etc.</li> <li>Work closely with the social media team to support the development of compelling and relevant social media content.</li> <li>Support commercial filming requests from start to finish.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What You’ll Bring</strong></p> <p>We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You’ll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.</p> <p>Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:</p> <ul> <li>A true communications wiz with strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to boil down technical information to understandable and concise messages</li> <li>At least four years of experience in the communications field with proven experience with media relations, strategic communications planning, and crisis communications</li> <li>Demonstrated leadership experience, including at least one year of supervisory responsibilities</li> <li>Strong media relations experience, including pitching stories and managing time-sensitive inquiries</li> <li>Excellent judgment and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information</li> <li>Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment</li> <li>Have a keen eye for editing and AP Style writing</li> <li>Experience with crisis situations and creating statements, talking points and interview briefings</li> <li>Familiarity with social media and content monitoring platforms such as Sprinklr, Constant Contact and Meltwater</li> <li>Experience in a PR/communications role within a large corporate or municipal organization that is as complex and dynamic as Denver International Airport</li> <li>Strategic thinker able to develop the best plans and strategies to achieve results</li> <li>Understanding of stakeholder outreach</li> <li>Bilingual in Spanish is a plus, but not required</li> </ul> <p><strong>Required Minimum Qualifications</strong></p> <p><strong>Education requirement:</strong> Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications or a related field.</p> <p>Three (3) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included supervision of marketing and/or communications professionals.</p> <p><strong>Education/Experience Equivalency:</strong> One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.<br /> Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.<br /> License/Certifications: Requires a valid Driver’s License at the time of application.<br /> Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.</p> <p><strong>Application Deadline & Required Documents</strong></p> <p>This position is expected to stay open until 4/28/2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than 4/27/2026 at 11:59 PM.</p> <p><strong>To be considered for this position, please submit the following required document</strong>s:</p> <p>Resume<br /> Cover Letter</p> <p><strong>What We Offer</strong></p> <p>The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $101,050 -$130,000. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:</p> <p>A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service<br /> 457B Retirement Plan<br /> 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year<br /> Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date</p> <p><strong>Location & Schedule</strong></p> <p>The City and County of Denver utilizes a hybrid model workplace that balances the responsibilities of public service with the benefits of a flexible work environment. Employees work where needed, at a city site and/or in the field at least three days a week and telecommute remotely at a designated workplace within the State of Colorado the remaining days, and this is subject to change.</p> <p>In this position you can expect to work in-person at Denver International Airport 3 days a week, with the option to work 2 days a week from home. Office hours are 8:30–5:00.</p> <p>This individual will also participate in an on-call rotation (typically two-week cycles every four weeks) that may require availability during emergencies; occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.</p> <p><strong>FBI Background Check:</strong> FBI criminal background check is required for all positions at Denver International Airport (DEN). Employees are also required to report any felony convictions and/or moving violations to maintain this clearance and be eligible for continued employment. By position, a pre-employment physical/drug test may be required.</p> <p>Snow / Emergency Duties: Denver International Airport is a 24/7/365 team operation. If weather conditions warrant or an emergency crisis occurs, all DEN employees can be required to work extended hours and/or shifts</p> <p><strong>About Everything Else</strong></p> <p>Job Profile</p> <p>CM2839 Marketing and Communications Manager</p> <p>To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click h<a href="https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Work-With-Us/Job-Specifications">ere</a>.</p> <p>Position Type</p> <p>Unlimited</p> <p>Position Salary Range</p> <p>$101,050.00 – $166,733.00</p> <p>Target Pay</p> <p>$101,050 – $130,000/based on education and experience</p> <p>Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies<br /> City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.</p> <p>The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.</p> <p>It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact <a href="mailto:Jobs@Denvergov.org">Jobs@Denvergov.org</a> with three business days’ notice.</p> <p>Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.</p> <p>For information about right to work, click<a href="https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2013/08/13/FinalOSCPosterEN08_01_2013.pdf"> here</a> for English or <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/813271/dl?inline=">here</a> for Spanish.</p>