IndyGo is hiring: Director of Communication in Indianapolis

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of Communications supports the Chief Public Affairs Officer by leading the agency’s marketing and communications strategy through delivering coordinated messaging through media contacts, strategic partners, customers, citizens, and stakeholders. This position develops and nurtures strategic partnerships across the community generating avenues of revenue and strategies for increasing ridership. To help accomplish this, this position leads the communications team members toward executing high-quality public relations and strategic communications campaigns in the following ways:

• Foster and manage relationships with vital stakeholders, including government entities, community influencers, and media representatives.

• Monitor and assess public sentiment and legislative shifts, evaluating potential impacts on organizational operations and public perception.

• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure unified messaging and consistency with organizational objectives and ethos.

This position also oversees crisis communications, including developing and implementing strategies to address negative publicity or issues that may impact the organization's reputation. That includes devising proactive strategies to mitigate adverse publicity and safeguard organizational standing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To be successful in this role, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform the functions listed below. IndyGo will make reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in conformity with all applicable laws.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Directs a comprehensive communications strategy and oversees the implementation of IndyGo messaging, integrated marketing, communications, advertising, and media for internal and external audiences.
• Serves as the secondary point person for the media when the Chief Public Affairs Officer is unavailable.
• Develops messaging and logistics for the agency’s spokesperson and additional IndyGo spokespeople as needed.
• Develops and executes media relations strategy in coordination with the chief public affairs officer, including pitches, OpEd opportunities, and relationships with local, regional and national media outlets.
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with partners, neighborhood leaders, and stakeholders.
• Oversees the Digital Media Specialist in creating and producing innovative and engaging social media campaigns to increase education, awareness, advocacy, brand loyalty, followers, engagement and video views.
• Oversees the Digital Media Specialist in video production to enhance storytelling opportunities for social media, web and other opportunities as identified
• Creates robust marketing campaigns, including monthly ad messaging and design for print, digital, television and radio.
• Coordinates with the Communications Manager to regularly monitor the website for content edits, additions and upgrades.
• Has a working knowledge and understanding of graphics production in working with the Creative Design Specialist to ensure consistency of design across all marketing, internal and external communications and collateral.
• Directs the Communications Manager on internal communications to produce weekly written newsletters and internal outreach with IndyGo teammates.
• Directs the Communications Manager on external communications through monthly newsletters and communications.
• Encourages adherence to consistent positive ridership experience and customer service across all IndyGo departments.
• Supports external and internal communications during service interruptions, crises and emergencies.
• Supports IndyGo executive team members and IndyGo departments by developing communications materials that may include presentations, talking points, collateral design and copywriting.
• Develops scopes of work, participates in projects and manages contractors to deliver various business projects.
• Strategizes and executes public relations initiatives, campaigns, and events aimed at advancing organizational missions and initiatives.
• Analyzes data to recommend programs, initiatives, and strategies to the Chief Public Affairs Officer.
• The position requires proven knowledge, experience, sound judgment, and the ability to work in a deadline-driven environment.
• Will be required to be on-call outside of normal business hours, including limited mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Recommend being consistent to avoid confusion

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Assures communications department compliance with federal ADA, Civil Rights, and procurement regulations.
• Represent IndyGo on advisory boards and stakeholder committees as assigned.
• Contributes to and supports corporate initiatives that position IndyGo for growth.
• Applies federal regulations to public involvement practices.
• Participates and contributes to various procurements.
• Develops, manages or assists with special projects as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises two or more employees.
• Provides leadership, oversight and direction to direct reports, including:
  • Interviewing, hirings, and training employees;
  • Planning, scheduling, assigning, and directing work;
  • Coaching, counseling, mentoring and developing direct reports, including oversight of performance reviews and providing career development planning and professional growth opportunities.
• Empower direct reports to take responsibility for their job and goals, delegate responsibility, and provide regular feedback and accountability.
• Applies supervisory responsibilities according to organizational policies and applicable laws.
• Addresses complaints and resolves employee issues.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public administration, business administration, journalism, public relations, or a related field required.
• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in communications, media relations, public relations, marketing, customer service or related field.
• At least (1) one year experience supervising direct reports.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, apply, and manage appropriate communications tools to meet business goals and measure success.
• Proven performance, experience, and success in crafting and executing external communications plans and public relations campaigns.
• Direct experience working with reporters, assignment editors and photographers affiliated with print and broadcast news and trade media.
• Proven ability to perform in a dynamic environment; team player.
• Experience working with outside advertising and marketing agencies.
• Experience working with organizational and business executives, civic leaders, elected officials, and others in high-level positions.
• Valid driver’s license required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. IndyGo will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to communicate and accurately exchange information with individuals and groups, using tact, patience, and courtesy in dealing with angry or upset individuals; including the ability to convey technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to express oneself using correct language and grammar effectively and persuasively in a professional, diplomative, empathetic, and tactful manner.
• Advanced proficiency using a computer and related technology, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, web editing platforms (WordPress), media monitoring platforms, the internet, website content management systems, complex spreadsheets, databases and software programs.
• Above average professionalism and awareness when interacting with community leaders.
• Knowledge of graphic design principles and print production.
• Excellent writing skills and proofreading skills with an emphasis on AP Style.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex plans, transit operations, and government programs.
• Above average decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Above average mathematical abilities (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, and fractions).
• Ability to develop and monitor a budget and to track and control expenses and revenues.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and manage tasks and time effectively; attention to detail; strong project management skills.
• Ability to anticipate, forecast, and recognize patterns and trends.
• Ability to operate laptops, tablets, two-way communication devices, office equipment, including copiers, fax machines and phones; including basic troubleshooting techniques.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. IndyGo will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to work in a deadline-oriented office and multi-project environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and rely on other team members.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
• Position requires individual to occasionally raise and lower objects weighing up to 20 pounds, including transporting camera and recording equipment for interviews and video shoots or boxes of handouts, folders and/or swag for public engagement events.
• Some local and conference travel.

IndyGo is an Equal Opportunity Employer