METRO
Director, Strategic Communications
METRO, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Basic Function
The Director, Strategic Communications oversees the strategic communications team to develop and execute public relations messaging campaigns and manage METRO's presence at public events. Assists the EVP in developing and executing overall communications strategies and goal setting. Responsible for ensuring coordination with the Director, Media Relations for guidance of the Communications department. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules and safety procedures.
Responsibilities and Specific Duties
Provides primary managerial direction and performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g., training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing productivity of staff, and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.Develops strategic communications plans for the President & CEO and Board Chair.Responsible for working with the EVP of Communications in the creation and execution of strategic public relations campaigns to maximize the exposure and visibility of METRO in the community with media, customers, and target audiences.Assists the EVP in budget development for the Strategic Communications division.Acts as a backup spokesperson in absence of Director, Media Relations.Coordinates with Public Engagement and Government Affairs teams on communications outreach campaigns.Cultivates relationships with local, state, and national news and trade media.Remains informed on all aspects of METRO to ensure correct information is distributed to customers and the public.Oversees the planning and execution of public events, such as ribbon cuttings, Executive Leadership public appearances, and conferences.Engages in communication with METRO departments to develop creative content for strategic communications campaigns.Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure public relations success and analyze data to optimize strategies.Works with the Director, Media Relations to guide the press office and strategic communications teams during crisis communications response or moments of high media volume.Assists the EVP and Director, Media Relations in the creation of CEO and Board Chair monthly reporting.Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Education Requirement
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English or a related degree is required.
Years & Experience Required
Minimum eight (8) years' senior/professional experience in media relations, public relations, journalism; to include three (3) years supervisor/management experience.
Knowledge & Skills Required
Strong presentation and interpersonal skills to positively interact with the community and media. Strong communications (written/verbal) skills. Proficient with Microsoft office suite and electronic web-based communications tools.
Additional Information
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.
Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.
We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.
The Director, Strategic Communications oversees the strategic communications team to develop and execute public relations messaging campaigns and manage METRO's presence at public events. Assists the EVP in developing and executing overall communications strategies and goal setting. Responsible for ensuring coordination with the Director, Media Relations for guidance of the Communications department. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules and safety procedures.
Responsibilities and Specific Duties
Provides primary managerial direction and performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g., training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing productivity of staff, and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.Develops strategic communications plans for the President & CEO and Board Chair.Responsible for working with the EVP of Communications in the creation and execution of strategic public relations campaigns to maximize the exposure and visibility of METRO in the community with media, customers, and target audiences.Assists the EVP in budget development for the Strategic Communications division.Acts as a backup spokesperson in absence of Director, Media Relations.Coordinates with Public Engagement and Government Affairs teams on communications outreach campaigns.Cultivates relationships with local, state, and national news and trade media.Remains informed on all aspects of METRO to ensure correct information is distributed to customers and the public.Oversees the planning and execution of public events, such as ribbon cuttings, Executive Leadership public appearances, and conferences.Engages in communication with METRO departments to develop creative content for strategic communications campaigns.Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure public relations success and analyze data to optimize strategies.Works with the Director, Media Relations to guide the press office and strategic communications teams during crisis communications response or moments of high media volume.Assists the EVP and Director, Media Relations in the creation of CEO and Board Chair monthly reporting.Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Education Requirement
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English or a related degree is required.
Years & Experience Required
Minimum eight (8) years' senior/professional experience in media relations, public relations, journalism; to include three (3) years supervisor/management experience.
Knowledge & Skills Required
Strong presentation and interpersonal skills to positively interact with the community and media. Strong communications (written/verbal) skills. Proficient with Microsoft office suite and electronic web-based communications tools.
Additional Information
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.
Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.
We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.