Director-Strategic Communications

Salary range is $150k to $260k, with a midpoint of $200k.  New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Engagement, the Director – Strategic Communications manages the media relations and strategic messaging teams for the Agency. Acts as a consultant to the Executive Director, consults and collaborates with senior leaders across the organization to identify and mitigate reputational risks and capitalize on opportunities to highlight milestones and success stories that help build public support for the agency's mission. Ensures quality, consistency and timely development and implementation of news releases, website information, PowerPoint presentations, talking points, speeches, fact sheets, brochures, executive summaries and opinion columns. Works to position Sound Transit as a national thought leader in the public transportation industry.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work of assigned staff; assigns work activities and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.  
• Coaches, trains and motivates staff; coordinates and/or provides staff training; and manages employee relations; manages the workflow and prioritization of projects and measures the performance of the division and all related staff and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; provides advice and counsel to staff; develops developmental work plans for staff; implements or recommends corrective actions, discipline and termination procedures as appropriate/necessary.  
• Oversees development and execution of comprehensive external affairs strategy in collaboration with executive leadership. 
• Identifies opportunities to inform and engage the public via owned channels. 
• Aligns external affairs strategies and work planning with other communications functions including Engagement, Marketing and Internal Communications.
• Manages the conception, writing and editing of clear and persuasive materials including news releases, website information, PowerPoint presentations, talking points, speeches, fact sheets, letters, brochures, executive summaries and opinion columns; coordinates with writers within and outside the division and with designers; provides writing and editing expertise to all departments for internal and external communication pieces; collaborates closely with departments to create useful materials. 
• Proactively works to secure positive and accurate news coverage of the Agency. 
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or related field; Eight years of editorial and writing experience working in the public relations, journalism, marketing, or communications fields; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principles and practices of integrated communications planning, government relations, external affairs strategy and community involvement. 
• Methods and techniques used in developing communications for internal and external audiences. 
• Principles of persuasive writing and argument. 
• The news media industry in general, including needs and priorities across the print, broadcast and digital outlets; the professional culture and methods of news reporting, including the criteria journalists and bloggers use to determine what is newsworthy.  
• Basic government structures and functions at the local, regional, state and national levels. 
• Basic principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration. 
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. 
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases. 
• Establishing and maintaining collaborative and effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.  
• Applying media relations techniques with specialized knowledge of the transit industry. 
• Understanding the Agency’s political environment and sensitivities and using good judgment and adapting to rapidly changing political environment. 
• Strategic thinking and ability to see possible courses of action from the vantage points of many different stakeholders. 
• Crisis communications 
• Public opinion research methods and processes. 
• Public speaking and developing and delivering presentations and presenting concepts effectively. 
• Managing projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.  
• Maintaining confidentiality and communicating with tact and diplomacy. 

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of the history and current status of mass transit in the Puget Sound Region. 
• Knowledge of the Sound Transit Board, its working model and practices. 

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Salary : $150,000 - $260,000