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Director of Communications, Executive Director's Office - SF Municipal Transportation Agency (9183)

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APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent Exempt - This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

Application Opening : January 16, 2025

Deadline to Apply : January 29, 2025

Recruitment ID : PEX-9183-154829

Division: Executive Director's Office

Section: Strategic Communications and External Affairs

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm (Additional hours as needed)

Company Description:

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is responsible for managing all ground transportation in the city. The SFMTA oversees the Municipal Railway (Muni) public transit and bicycling, paratransit, parking, traffic, walking, and taxis. The mission of the agency is to connect San Francisco through a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system.

Position Description:

The Director of Communications will serve as the chief communications strategist for the SFMTA, overseeing executive communication, internal communications, strategic communications, government affairs, media and public relations, community engagement and outreach, marketing, and other duties as assigned. This role ensures transparent, proactive, and consistent messaging that aligns with the agency's mission to improve transportation access and safety for all San Franciscans. Reporting directly to the Director of Transportation, the Director of Communications is a core member of the agency’s executive team and manages a dynamic team to build public trust and foster collaboration.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

• Strategic Communications:
  • Ensure that the organizational structure within the Communications Division is aligned to deliver high-quality service to the agency.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy to promote the SFMTA’s policies, programs, and services.
  • Build internal partnerships creating excitement around developing future goals regarding our customer experience.
  • Communicate strategic core agency values to ensure that the agency is aligned.
  • Manage crisis communication efforts to protect and enhance the agency’s reputation.
• Internal Communications and Management:
  • Develop metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and make data-driven adjustments.
  • Oversee internal communication efforts to ensure staff alignment with agency goals and initiatives.
  • Manage and mentor Division staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Media and Public Relations:
  • Support agency spokespeople to ensure timely and accurate responses to media inquiries and public concerns.
  • Lead a culture of proactive media engagement and oversee the development and dissemination of press releases, media advisories, and statements.
• Community Engagement and Outreach:
  • Coordinate strategy for public hearings, workshops, and community meetings to gather feedback and ensure transparency across the agency.
  • Create and support strategies to engage neighborhood organizations, advocacy groups, and elected officials.
• Marketing:
  • Oversee agency-wide marketing initiatives.
  • Coordinate with the agency’s marketing lead to develop an annual marketing plan.
  • Ensure messaging and graphics are accessible, inclusive, and tailored to the city’s multilingual and multicultural communities.

Nature of Work: This is a 24-7 agency with the expectation that you will work as required to handle crisis communications, media events, and coordination with agency and community partners in the evenings and on weekends, as needed.

Working Relationships: This position will work closely with the Director of Transportation, Board of Directors, Division leads, agency staff, the press, and other city, state, and federal partners.

How to qualify

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or universityAND

2. Ten (10) years of verifiable, full-time experience in public relations, communications, or media management. This experience must include three (3) years of management experience.

Substitutions:

• Possession of an advanced degree in Communications, Media, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing or Public Affairs can substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.

Notes:

• Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Selection Process:

Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply.