POSITION TITLE

Program Director, Communications

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Executive Director

STATUS

Full time, Exempt

Commute Seattle is a 501c(3) nonprofit Transportation Management Association founded in 2004 with a mission to foster mobility partnerships and services to keep Seattle moving and thriving for all. We are supported by local governments and transit agencies and are part of a larger organization consisting of the Downtown Seattle Association and Metropolitan Improvement District. Commute Seattle partners with employers and institutions to implement sustainable transportation options and trip reduction strategies that positively change commute behavior, improve quality of life, and support economic and environmental goals.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The person in this position is responsible for developing and leading strategic communications, identifying policy opportunities, and stewarding partnerships to realize Commute Seattle’s strategic plan and mission.

This role will supervise the communication and engagement tactics for the entire organization, which includes both creating and reviewing Commute Seattle marketing and communications. In addition, this involves monitoring contracts, managing staff, budgeting, developing organization-wide campaigns, and stewarding the Commute Seattle brand. 

This role is responsible for identifying opportunities to leverage current events or opportunities to educate audiences and promote the mission. The Communications Director will help guide policy and research programs, as well as steward strategic relationships with external organizations including business associations and public-sector decision makers. This involves co-leading the organization’s policy advocacy plan and delivering high-quality business-to-business and public facing materials and campaigns.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing and leading strategic communications, partnerships, and outreach tactics to realize Commute Seattle’s mission, vision, and new Strategic Plan.
• Building and maintaining strategic relationships with public and private partners, community groups, and event sponsors.
• Positioning Commute Seattle as a trusted data-driven thought-leader on multimodal transportation issues.

Strategic Communications – 50%

• Develop and steward a Strategic Communications Plan that advances the goals of Commute Seattle’s Strategic Plan in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Perform and coordinate Commute Seattle communication efforts including blog posts, press statements, drafting policy briefs, Annual Reports, and other external communication efforts.
• Work collaboratively with partners and staff to develop innovative new programming to expand our reach to small and medium sized employers and community partners.
• Work collaboratively with partners and staff to establish goals and metrics, theory of change, budget, staffing, implementing, evaluating and course correcting.
• Create and publish monthly newsletter, manage email list maintenance, and lead audience engagement and development strategies.
• Develop communications plans for Commute Seattle research program and assist in guiding development of internal and external data projects towards strategic and policy goals.
• Identify opportunities to connect current events or emerging issues with the organization’s mission, pitch ways to ensure the needs of our audiences are reflected in civic dialogue and stay top of mind for decision and policy makers.
• Maintain social media accounts and develop a long-term strategy and plan for organization’s use of social media.

Internal Communications Administration and Staff Management – 30%

• Partner with the Executive Director to lead a transformative 2-year effort that includes audience and funding diversification, grant expansion and strategic communications.
• Directly supervise and support a two-person ORCA marketing team who specializes in outreach to small and medium-sized businesses to promote transit incentives that reduce drive-alone trips.
• Manage an Education and Events Specialist and guide them in developing and implementing an annual calendar of special events, educational opportunities, networking and outreach events, and community celebrations.
• Monitor campaign and contract budget and deliverables.
• Oversee and maintain quality and consistency of the Commute Seattle brand and proper use of partner branding and logos.
• Create and design digital and print event promotion and other outreach and marketing materials.
• Support Executive Director in public facing communications and presentations.
• Monitor, measure, and compile quarterly reports on key communications performance metrics. Evaluate and course-correct organizational communications as needed.
• Provide leadership and communications training for staff across the organization.
• Update and maintain website content, supervise technical support regular updates and maintenance.

Relationship Stewardship and Partner Development – 20%

• Represent Commute Seattle’s priorities in strategic meetings, groups and venues including roundtables, policy forums, and meetings with partner organizations.
• Cultivate relationships with event sponsors.
• Work collaboratively and creatively with partner organizations including King County Metro, City of Seattle, Sound Transit, and the Downtown Seattle Association.
• Attend Downtown Transportation Alliance meetings. Cultivate relationships with attendees and support the Executive Director in work planning and administering group meetings and interim work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 5 years of related employment which includes strategically advancing organizational policy objectives through communications and programming.
• Demonstrated strategic use of data and storytelling to advance organizational goals.
• Excellent copywriting skills, and the ability to analyze, evaluate, and communicate data in writing and/or to a broad range of audiences.
• Excellent written communication skills and demonstrable experience in developing and editing written copy according to a style or brand guide.
• Knowledge of marketing and market research best practices.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, MailChimp, WordPress and Zoom.
• Proficiency in social media platforms like Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Google Analytics, Buffer and other social media monitoring tools.
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple simultaneous projects, communicate with multiple teams, and prioritize deadlines.
• Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to develop and deliver presentations to groups of all sizes.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Passion for multi-modal transportation, sustainability, and/or affordability.
• Experience communicating with multi-cultural audiences, particularly BIPOC, immigrant, and ESL communities.
• Proficiency working with Adobe Creative Suite, including a strong sense of design and layout principles.

CHARACTERISTICS

• Reflect the Downtown Seattle Association’s core values of Collaboration, Perseverance, Innovation, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Ability to weave and work within all DSA mission areas associated with creating a healthy, vibrant downtown for all while pursuing Commute Seattle’s citywide mission.
• Commitment to growth mindset, collaborative leadership, and a learning-based philosophy.
• Deep commitment to equity and social justice with an understanding of the role that racism, ableism, sexism and other forms of bias and oppression play in perpetuating inequity. We value candidates who come to us from a diverse array of backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Demonstrates empathy and active listening when working with customers, coworkers, and funders; responsive communication and desires resolve issues completely and promptly.
• Humility, sense of humor, comfort with ambiguity, and servant leadership.
• Self-starter who takes initiative on projects and can work independently.
• Team player who works well with staff across the organization.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry boxes of varying weights, including printed materials and supplies. This may involve lifting 25 pounds or more.
• Walking, Sitting, and Standing: This is largely a sedentary role, with most of the duties performed on a computer. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Desk and workspaces are able to accommodate a wheelchair.

COMPENSATION

Starting salary of $97,433 - $139,152 (grade 31). Salary is determined based on internal and market equity, internal and market data/salary ranges, and the applicant’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We will hire at the beginning to mid-range of the salary range to allow future salary growth based on an employee's performance, professional development and increases in responsibilities and duties. Downtown Seattle Association provides a comprehensive benefits package including but not restricted to:

• Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage*
• PTO/Personal Holidays
• Paid FMLA*
• Life Insurance*
• LTD*
• ORCA Card*
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employer-Matched 401(k) Contribution with up to 5% Match
• First Choice EAP*
• Corporate Discounts

*Employer paid benefit

ACCESSIBILITY

Commute Seattle is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and those who may require assistance due to medical conditions or limitations. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability or medical condition that may require accommodation during the application process or while performing the essential functions of the job, please inform us of your needs. Commute Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please send ONE (1) document combining your resume and cover letter to Hiring Manager Alex Hudson at alexh@commuteseattle.com with the position title and your last name (e.g. Program Director LASTNAME) in the subject line to ensure consideration. Applications will be reviewed beginning on July 10^th, 2024, with an expected start date of August 20, 2024.