Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Community Engagement

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : New Orleans, LA
Job Type: Unclassified
Job Number: PNO-945-060825-LR
Department: Port of New Orleans Port Commission
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/22/2026 11:59 PM Central


About this Job
PNO-945-060825-LR
At the Port of New Orleans, our mission is to drive economic prosperity throughout our tri-parish jurisdiction: Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard. We collaborate with state and local partners to ensure that we can continue to be a vital link to the world for businesses and consumers throughout Louisiana and beyond.
Port NOLA seeks a Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing, and Community Engagement.

The Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing, and Community Engagement is a senior communications leader responsible for advancing the Port of New Orleans' reputation, brand, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications objectives. Reporting to the Chief of Staff and External Affairs, this position serves as a trusted communications advisor to executive leadership and leads integrated communications, marketing, digital media, and community engagement strategies that support the Port's mission, business objectives, infrastructure investments, and long-term growth.


The Director oversees the development and execution of comprehensive communications and marketing initiatives across multiple lines of business, including cargo, cruise, industrial real estate, workforce development, and economic development activities. This role is responsible for ensuring consistent, compelling, and strategic messaging that strengthens stakeholder confidence, enhances public understanding of Port initiatives, and supports business development efforts.


The Director leads the Port's strategic communications efforts through five core areas of responsibility:
Strategic Communications and Executive Messaging


Develop and execute strategic communications initiatives that advance organizational priorities and strengthen the Port's position as a leading gateway for global commerce and economic development. Serve as the primary architect of executive communications, including speeches, presentations, messaging frameworks, articles, thought leadership content, talking points, and stakeholder communications. Translate complex operational, infrastructure, economic, and industry information into clear, compelling narratives tailored to diverse audiences.


Reputation and Issues Management


Lead proactive reputation management efforts that strengthen stakeholder trust and organizational credibility. Identify emerging issues, monitor public sentiment, assess reputational risks, and develop communications strategies that support informed decision-making and organizational objectives. Provide strategic counsel to leadership on sensitive issues, complex projects, and stakeholder concerns while ensuring consistent messaging across all communications channels.


Marketing, Brand, and Business Development Support


Develop and implement integrated marketing strategies that support the Port's business development, customer engagement, and brand awareness objectives. Partner with commercial, operations, and business development teams to promote the Port's competitive advantages, services, infrastructure investments, and economic impact. Utilize market research, industry trends, performance metrics, and audience insights to develop data-driven marketing initiatives that support organizational growth.


Digital Media and Content Leadership


Lead the Port's digital communications strategy across websites, social media platforms, multimedia content, email communications, and emerging digital channels. Oversee the creation and distribution of engaging content that strengthens stakeholder engagement, expands audience reach, and supports organizational priorities. Leverage analytics, digital monitoring tools, and innovative communications technologies to evaluate performance, inform strategy, and enhance communications effectiveness.


Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations


Develop and implement community engagement strategies that foster transparency, trust, and meaningful dialogue with stakeholders. Build and maintain productive relationships with neighborhood organizations, community leaders, educational institutions, business organizations, industry partners, and other key stakeholders. Lead communications and engagement efforts related to major initiatives, infrastructure investments, and community-impacting projects while ensuring stakeholders receive timely, accurate, and accessible information.


In addition, the Director serves as the Port's lead communications strategist during crises and significant operational events, directing communications planning, media relations, stakeholder outreach, and digital communications to ensure timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging. The position also oversees internal communications initiatives that support employee engagement, organizational alignment, and a strong workplace culture.


The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, skilled communicator, and collaborative leader with demonstrated success developing communications, marketing, reputation management, and stakeholder engagement programs within complex organizations. Candidates from transportation, logistics, maritime, infrastructure, economic development, industrial, utility, energy, corporate, agency, or similarly dynamic environments are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications
Education


Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, Political Science, English, or a related field is required. A master's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, Public Relations, or a related discipline is preferred.


Experience


Minimum of 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, corporate communications, public relations, marketing, external affairs, brand management, stakeholder engagement, or related fields, with at least five years of leadership or management experience.


Demonstrated success developing and executing integrated communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement strategies within complex organizations.


Experience in transportation, logistics, maritime, infrastructure development, economic development, industrial operations, utilities, energy, manufacturing, professional services, public agencies, or similarly dynamic and stakeholder-intensive environments is highly preferred.


Proven experience in executive communications, media relations, reputation management, crisis communications, digital communications, content strategy, and community or stakeholder engagement.


Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects, competing priorities, and cross-functional initiatives while delivering measurable results.


Skills


Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including speechwriting, presentation development, public speaking, and executive messaging.


Strong strategic thinking, judgment, and analytical skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling, and actionable communications.


Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, reputation management, media relations, crisis communications, issues management, and stakeholder engagement.


Strong knowledge of digital communications, social media strategy, content development, website management, email marketing, multimedia storytelling, and communications analytics.


Experience utilizing communications technologies, social listening platforms, digital analytics tools, content management systems, and emerging communications technologies, including AI-enabled tools.


Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including employees, community leaders, industry partners, customers, media representatives, elected officials, and business organizations.


Strong leadership and team development skills with the ability to mentor staff, manage external vendors, and foster a collaborative, high-performing culture.


Ability to remain calm, adaptable, and decisive in fast-paced environments and during crisis or high-visibility situations.


Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Job Duties and Other Information

Supervision Responsibilities


This position provides strategic leadership, direction, and performance management for the Port's communications, marketing, community engagement, and workforce development functions. The Director is responsible for developing a collaborative, high-performing team that advances organizational objectives and supports Port NOLA's strategic priorities.
This role directly supervises the following positions:
• Press Secretary
• Community Engagement and Governmental Affairs Manager
• Workforce Development Specialist
• Marketing Manager
The Director is responsible for establishing departmental goals and priorities, overseeing staff development, managing resources and budgets, coordinating cross-functional initiatives, and ensuring consistent execution of communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement strategies across the organization.
Port NOLA offers competitive benefits that prioritize safety, health and wellness for our employees. Employees have access to the following benefits:

• Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Medical and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance options
• Long Term Disability Plan
• State of Louisiana LASERS state pension program
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 plan) with employer match
• Paid Louisiana State Holidays; and paid Annual and Sick Leave
• Wellness Center located in the Administration Building
• Ship Shape Wellness Program

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: Unclassified

Salary Range: $130,000 - 155,000 annually, depending on experience
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
How To Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume, cover letter, and up to three examples as defined below, outlining their qualifications, leadership experience, and interest in the position through the Port NOLA Careers Portal at


As part of the application process, candidates are encouraged to submit up to three examples of communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement, or reputation management initiatives that demonstrate their strategic leadership and communications expertise.

Examples may include strategic communications plans, marketing campaigns, executive communications, digital media initiatives, crisis communications responses, stakeholder engagement programs, thought leadership content, presentations, or other relevant work products. Candidates should include a brief description of their role, objectives, approach, and measurable outcomes for each example submitted.

Confidential or proprietary information may be redacted as appropriate.

Port NOLA is particularly interested in examples that demonstrate strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, executive communications, reputation management, crisis communications, digital communications, and measurable business or organizational impact.

Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:

April McKnight

Port of New Orleans / Human Resources

P.O. Box 60046

New Orleans, LA 70160

View phone number on click.appcast.io
Benefits for unclassified employees are determined by the individual hiring authority.