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Chief of Public Affairs

Harris County
Full-time
On-site
Houston, Texas, United States
$160,000 - $170,000 USD yearly

Position Description



The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office (HCTO) is seeking an experienced, results-driven Chief of Public Affairs (CPA). The CPA is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction for the Public Affairs Division, overseeing the Communications Team and the Policy Team. 

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role is responsible for developing, implementing, and executing a comprehensive public affairs strategy that advances the office’s priorities, elevates the elected official’s accomplishments and initiatives, and ensures alignment across communications, policy development, legislative strategy, and performance management. This role is also responsible for identifying and implementing process enhancements across HCTO’s public affairs operations.

The CPA will work closely with the Chief of Staff and the senior leadership team to ensure that public-facing messaging, policy research, legislative efforts, and performance measures are cohesive, effective, and strategically aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the Tax Assessor-Collector.

About the Tax Assessor-Collector
The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office is essential for ensuring the proper administration of tax laws and providing vital services to the community. The office plays a key role in local government, handling various financial and administrative tasks, including:

  • Property Tax Collection: Assess and collect property taxes for all eligible commercial and residential property owners and entities. Calculate property taxes based on appraised values and ensure collection and distribution to the appropriate entities.
  • Motor Vehicle Services: Manage commercial and residential vehicle registration, issue license plates, and handle vehicle title transfers, including the collection of associated fees.
  • Voter Registration: Oversee voter registration within the county, issue voter registration certificates, and maintain an accurate voter registration roll.
  • Additional Revenue Collection: Collecting certain fees, fines, and revenues related to permits or state mandates, depending on the county’s needs. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Management

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive public affairs strategy that integrates communications, policy development, and legislative priorities aligned with HCTO’s mission, strategic planning framework, and key performance measures.
  • Serve as a senior advisor to the Tax Assessor-Collector and Chief of Staff on all matters related to public affairs, communications, messaging, policy positioning, building partnerships, and strategic outreach.
  • Provide proactive and strategic counsel to senior leadership on public perception, messaging, crisis communications, and policy impacts.
  • Ensure alignment between public messaging, policy recommendations, legislative strategy, and organizational performance goals.
  • Anticipate emerging issues, opportunities, and risks and proactively adjust public affairs strategies accordingly.
  • Work with senior leadership to identify and address public affairs needs and opportunities, ensuring proactive and responsive engagement with stakeholders.
  • Monitor trends in public policy, media, and public opinion and routinely review and revise the office’s public affairs strategy to ensure the office’s positioning remains aligned, timely, and impactful.


 Management and Operations

  • Lead, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary public affairs team, ensuring high performance, alignment with strategic priorities, and effective team collaboration.
  • Manage, develop, and inspire the public affairs team, providing mentorship, support, and professional development opportunities.
  • Foster a collaborative and innovative environment that encourages creativity and aligns priorities, resources, and talent, and maximizes impact.
  • Establish priorities, workflows, and performance standards to ensure high-quality output under tight deadlines.


 Communications and Media Relations

  • Develop, coordinate, and execute public affairs strategies to enhance branding, communications, marketing, outreach, and partnerships.
  • Provide direction and guidance on the development and execution of a strategic communications plan for the office, which includes print and digital content (such as social media, website content, multimedia production, and newsletters), reports, public notices, and educational or informational materials
  • Oversee messaging and communications strategies that highlight the Tax Assessor-Collector's accomplishments, initiatives, and policy priorities across multiple platforms
  • Ensure communications strategies are timely, accurate, and responsive to the media, stakeholders, and the public.
  • Maintain message discipline and coordination across internal and external partners.
  • Oversee the development and maintenance of the office’s brand identity, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with organizational values.
  • Manage the Tax Assessor-Collector's presence in the public sphere, ensuring that all external communications enhance the office's reputation and mission.
  • Proactively develop relationships with media outlets and oversee responses to media inquiries.
  • Review and/or consult on press releases, talking points, media advisories, and other public-facing content that effectively communicate the office's initiatives and positions.
  • Provide guidance and review to the Communications Team in preparing speeches, presentations, reports, and other materials that represent the office's work to the public and government entities.
  • Prepare and coach tax office employees for interviews, press conferences, and public appearances.
  • Lead crisis and rapid-response communications, ensuring timely, coordinated, transparent, effective, and accurate responses during sensitive situations.
  • Identify opportunities to highlight the Tax Assessor-Collector's accomplishments and initiatives, ensuring positive media coverage and public awareness.


 
 Government Relations and Advocacy

  • Attend and represent the office at key community meetings, public hearings, and events.
  • Review talking points, briefings, and presentations to enhance staff interactions with the public.
  • Advise on public-facing events, including groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, and public forums, ensuring successful execution and effective communication.
  • Oversee logistics and communications needs related to special events, ensuring all public events reflect the offices’ standards, messaging, and brand.
  • Work with internal teams to coordinate outreach efforts that educate and engage the public on key office initiatives, policies, and services.
  • Facilitate and enhance the office’s relationships, interactions, and coordination with other government stakeholders, such as court offices and other governmental agencies, offices, and departments.


 Policy and Research Leadership

  • Manage and oversee the Policy Team in the identification, monitoring, and analyzing developments in local, state, and federal government that may affect the office’s operations, policies, and public perception.
  • Advise the Tax Assessor-Collector and leadership on policy matters, legislative actions, and government relations strategies.
  • Develop strategies for strengthening relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and community leaders to foster support for the office's priorities.
  • Provide strategic insights into government affairs, ensuring that the office’s objectives align with broader public policy goals and initiatives.
  • Collaborate with government relations, legal counsel, policy team, finance team, and senior leadership as needed.


 Other Duties

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Operations, Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Alternatively, an incumbent with a combination of education and experience that clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the job duties of the position may be considered in appropriate circumstances.

Experience
  • A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in public affairs, communications, government relations, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
  • Experience working in or with government entities, especially in a public sector or public affairs capacity, is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including elected officials, government agencies, media, and community leaders.
  • Proven experience in policy development, media relations, and communication, with a demonstrated ability to manage high-profile situations and maintain positive relationships under pressure.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Leadership & Team Management: Proven skill in guiding, mentoring, and managing high-performing teams with an ability to foster a collaborative and results-driven environment. Skilled in staff development, performance management, and cultivating a high-performance work environment
  • Strategic Planning and Implementation: Expertise in developing and executing comprehensive public affairs strategies that are impactful and align with the office’s overall strategic plan and organizational goals.
  • Strategic Communications. Expertise is leading a team to develop and execute a comprehensive communications plan that effectively engages diverse audiences across multiple platforms.
  • Government Affairs & Public Policy: Strong understanding of the legislative process, government operations, policy development, and the ability to analyze and interpret legislative and regulatory issues impacting the office.
  • Media Relations: Experience overseeing media relations functions and guiding teams to proactively engage with media, ensuring consistent messaging and strategic communications
  • Writing & Presentation Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear, compelling content for various audiences and deliver impactful presentations
  • Project Management: Expertise in planning, coordinating, and managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and successful completion.
  • Brand Management: Expertise in developing, maintaining and enhancing an organization’s brand identity through consistent, high-quality messaging and visual standards
  • Adaptability & Problem Solving: Ability to navigate and lead through change while remaining flexible and effective under pressure; proactive, self-motivated, and mission driven.


NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education & Experience:

  • More than 10 years of experience in public affairs, communications, government relations, or a related field
    More than 5 years in a leadership role

General Information

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

  • Typically, an office environment with adequate lighting and ventilation, and a normal range of temperature and noise level.
  • Sedentary role with medium physical effort required; however, it may at times involve long periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, stretching, climbing, lifting to 50 lbs. or similar activities (e.g., filing, delivering, sorting).
  • A frequent volume of work and deadlines impose strain on a routine basis.
  • Regular application of basic skills (calculator, keyboard, hand tools, eye/hand coordination).

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

  • Monday – Friday | 7:45 am – 4:45 pm (subject to overtime; early mornings, late evenings, and weekends)

Work Location:

Primary Work Location:

  • 1001 Preston St., Houston, TX 77002 - Downtown
     

Salary Range:

  • $160,000- $170,00

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. 

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

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