Chief Communications and External Relations Officer

Department/Division

Executive / Marketing

Paygrade

D62

FLSA Status

Exempt

Supervision Received From

Development Director

Supervision Exercised Over

Marketing and Communications Outreach Coordinator, Marketing and Communications Representative, Marketing, Communications & Outreach Youth Education Specialist, Senior Marketing and Communications Outreach Coordinator, Walk N Roll Program Representative

Compensation

Annual: $119,849.60-$161,782.40

Summary:

Plans, manages, and executes marketing, advertising, communications, government relations, public involvement, and community relations efforts to increase usage of Agency services and raise awareness of the value of Intercity Transit. Key responsibilities include serving as the Agency’s primary spokesperson to the news media and elected officials, directing Agency market research, overseeing customer information efforts and Agency publications, managing government relations contractors at local, state and federal levels, and directing Agency programs with employers, schools, and community partners.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This role performs the most complex professional marketing, communications, government relations, and outreach activities, ensuring the development and maintenance of a strong public image for the Agency. Reporting to the Development Director, the position supervises professional and support staff. As a manager, the incumbent is accountable for all communications and external relations functions, with a particular emphasis on fostering positive government and media relations to support the Agency’s objectives.

Essential Duties:

Duty No.	Description	Frequency
1	Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; supporting professional development of staff, conducting performance evaluations; ensuring employees follow policies and procedures; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary decisions and recommendations.	Daily 15%
2	Develop and manage communications, marketing, outreach programs and strategies for the Agency, to include publications and reports, public involvement processes, ongoing community, and interagency outreach, multi-year communications and marketing plan, advertising and media placement program, website and social media development.	Daily 25%
3	Serves as the chief media spokesperson and public information officer for the Agency, which includes: directing media release and public information communications; responding to or initiating media interest in Agency, service or transportation related information; maintaining relationships with media contacts, functioning as part of the Agency’s Incident Response Team and expanded senior management team.	Daily 10%
4	Develop and execute comprehensive government relations strategies and action plans. Collaborate with internal departments to align government relations activities with organizational goals. Identify and capitalize on opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with government entities. Manage third party contractors for state and federal government relations.	Daily 15%
5	Monitor and analyze legislative and regulatory developments at local, state, and federal levels. Develop and implement strategies to influence public policy in favor of the organization’s objectives. Draft position papers, policy briefs, and other advocacy materials.	Monthly 15%
6	Establish and maintain relationships with government officials, policymakers, and regulatory agencies. Coordinate meetings, briefings, and other forms of communication between the organization and government stakeholders. Represent the organization at public hearings, policy forums, and industry conferences.	Monthly 15%
7	Manages the Agency’s broad community relations activities, including: developing and maintaining community partnerships; sponsoring and supporting community events; and performing other related activities.	Monthly 15%
8	Manages the Agency’s broad community relations activities, including: developing and maintaining community partnerships; sponsoring and supporting community events; and performing other related activities.	Monthly 15%
9	Manages government relations contracts and contractors. These contractors represent Intercity Transit at the local, state and federal levels of government.	Monthly 10%
10	Directs public involvement processes and input opportunities from public and other stakeholder groups. Collects, analyzes, evaluates, prepares and presents materials, data, and comments.	Monthly 10%
11	Directs the Agency’s market research activities, including customer satisfaction survey and occasional market segmentation, onboard, worksite and paratransit surveys.	Monthly 10%
12	Attends, chairs and supports a variety of meetings with the Agency; serves on committees as requested; makes presentations to the Intercity Transit Authority; represents the Agency and makes oral presentations at meetings, conferences and other external events.	Monthly 10%
13	Develop and present annual division budget; monitors and approves expenditures in accordance with Agency policies and principles of sound fiscal management. Develops and maintains analytical tools for audit and control of division programs and assigned projects.	Quarterly 10%
14	Administers and reports on vendor contracts related to Agency marketing and communications initiatives, i.e. transit advertising.	As Required
15	Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.	As Required
16	Must meet regular time and attendance standards.	Always

Knowledge:

Knowledge of:

Government affairs, public policy, and regulatory issues
Supervisory principles and practices;
Applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, rules, and regulations;
Media relations principles and practices;
Journalism principles and practices;
Strategic communication and government relations strategies;
Public information principles and practices;
Program management principles;
Budgeting principles and practices;
Extensive knowledge of government processes;
Graphic design, prints production, and web publishing principles and practices.

Skills:

Skill in:

Monitoring and evaluating subordinate staff;
Writing and editing a variety of materials such as news releases and business communications;
Developing policy positions
Working with government contracts
Preparing publications and reports;
Applying creative thinking;
Managing projects;
Preparing and giving oral presentations;
Facilitating meetings;
Managing media relations;
Market research and data analysis principles and practices;
Handling multiple tasks simultaneously;
Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Licensing Requirements:

Washington Driver’s License.

Must submit to criminal background check the results of which must meet hiring criteria for the role

Physical Requirements:

Positions in this class typically require: talking, hearing, and seeing. Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Training and Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or related field and seven years of experience in marketing, government relations and public relations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Note:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.