TEMPORARY, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATION (MEDIA RELATIONS)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

This position is temporary (up to 40 hours) with limited benefits.

About the role

Directs and manages the performance of a functional unit within the Communications Department associated with the development and implementation of marketing, public relations, and customer communications policies, programs, plans, and projects for Metro.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and manages the unit's activities
• Develops, implements, and monitors program work plan goals, objectives, policies, procedures, budget, and work standards
• Develops and implements Board of Directors adopted policy in support of the communication of information
• Plans and oversees the study and implementation of marketing, public relations, and communications programs
• Develops and reviews scopes of work for contracts; resolves legal, contractual, and technical issues
• Reviews and evaluates contractor proposals, oversees contractor work, and reviews and approves work product
• Designs policies, programs, fiscal management plans, and administrative procedures
• Interacts with business, professional, civic, government, community groups and leaders in the coordination and implementation of projects
• Collaborates with Design Studio staff to ensure quality and consistency of Metro's brand design and voice across all marketing platforms
• Collaborates with interactive and social media staff to keep up to date on new trends and ensure best practices
• Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Develops, oversees, monitors, and adheres to department budget, goals, and schedules which comply with agency-wide fiscal responsibility
• Supervises and motivates assigned staff
• Implements and/or ensures staff development and training
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

Requirements

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Public Administration, Business, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Visual Communications, Graphic Design, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred
• Five years of relevant management-level experience in customer-facing communications technology (web and mobile), or marketing and communications, or communications and creative new media
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications

The following are preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position:

• Experience developing and executing effective, strategic media relations plans covering high-profile, multi-year projects
• Experience as an on-camera and on-the-record media spokesperson
• Experience managing and developing direct and indirect reports to achieve organizational goals
• Experience supporting public relations for major infrastructure or construction projects

Skills

Essential Knowledge

• Current theories, principles, and practices associated with marketing, advertising, digital media, and customer communications
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing information systems for a public agency
• Mass communication techniques and promotional program management
• Digital marketing strategy and channels, content marketing, and social media
• Electronic media materials and processes, including advertising, copywriting, scriptwriting, production techniques, distribution, and placement
• Advertising and promotional tactics
• Video and print production processes and formats
• Print media materials and processes, including photographic, video, and graphic media
• Media planning and buying
• Finance and budget analysis
• Data research techniques
• Project management techniques and tools
• Editing techniques; proofreading symbols, and terminology
• English composition, grammar, and punctuation
• Modern management theory

Skill in

• Planning, organizing, and directing a communications program/unit and staff
• Managing large-scale projects from inception to culmination
• Determining strategies to achieve goals utilizing a project management approach
• Critical thinking
• Understanding the dynamics of today's media landscape and its impact on Metro's business and customers
• Reviewing, understanding, and reporting data using analytics
• Performing data and statistical analysis
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of employees and outside representatives
• Supervising, training, and motivating assigned staff
• Mediating and negotiating

Ability to

• Display attention to detail and organizational skills
• Plan financial and staffing needs
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Make verbal presentations supplemented by written materials
• Be innovative in leveraging limited resources
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language