Communications Manager

METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

IMMEDIATE JOB OPPORTUNITY

Communications Manager

Starting Salary $84,753 - $100,000

DTP-20219

POSITION SPECIFICATONS

The department is seeking a Transportation Communications Manager as part of a team that has the lead responsibility to provide staff support for the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) and all of the communications and public outreach activities associated with the metropolitan transportation planning process. The successful candidate will coordinate and conduct the member and stakeholder communications program for the TPB, which focuses on sharing news about board actions, special events, and transportation research, analysis, and planning. They will also closely coordinate with the COG Office of Communications, which is responsible for media relations, branding, and agency-wide communications. The position requires strong organizational skills, the ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced, membership oriented environment, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

The successful candidate will:

• Develop and execute coordinated communications strategies promoting the technical and policy work of a regional transportation planning agency.

• Plan, write, edit, and publish content for newsletters, the web, meeting materials, reports, and social media, explaining work activities, highlighting program outcomes, and promoting events.

• Work closely with program staff to understand research findings, conceptualize stories, and craft compelling narratives and graphic content highlighting key messages.

• Work with program staff in developing compelling content, including providing feedback to staff on writing style and how to effectively communicate key messages.

• Edit public-facing publications, reports, brochures, web copy, and more to ensure factual accuracy, clarity of meaning, and consistency of style, tone, and message.

• Ghostwrite official correspondence and remarks on behalf of senior executives and elected officials articulating organizational policy positions and highlighting accomplishments and achievements.

• Actively participate on an inter-departmental communications team to plan and coordinate content and messaging across platforms and channels, craft and carry out media plans, and manage graphic design, video production, and print and mail vendors in the development and distribution of attractive, impactful communications products.

• Work with staff to conceive and create new web pages and websites to meet communications goals for public events, outreach campaigns, planning processes, and more.

• Review website analytics and conduct other evaluations to assess effectiveness of communications strategies.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities but is expected to serve as the project manager on communications projects and products

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1) Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Media, Public Relations, Urban & Regional Planning, Government, Political Science, or related field, along with some experience in writing and producing publications, journalism, public relations, local, state or federal government, or nonprofit organizations or any equivalent combination of knowledge and training which provides the required knowledge, experience, skills and abilities.

2) Strong communications skills – both written and verbal. This person should have the ability to effectively reach out to a variety of individuals, ranging from elected officials and support staff to the public to communicate about complex topics to non-technical audiences.

3) Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical reports, general business periodicals, and professional journals. Ability to write newsletter articles, reports, blogs, and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from officials, senior management staff, the news media, and the general public.

4) Demonstrated strong writing skills and ability to write for public consumption; an eye for detail and proofreading skills; knowledge of public relations goals and practices; knowledge and ability to respond to journalistic methods and techniques, including a knowledge of journalism; knowledge of local, state, and federal government and regional issues;

5) Ability to maintain good relationships with co-workers, member agencies, and the general public; good judgment and tact when interacting with officials and senior management staff;

6) Ability to manage projects like the development of reports and other printed publications; ability to work under tight deadlines to produce high quality work; ability to multi-task and set priorities.

7) Ability to prepare, produce, and present clear, effective, and accurate reports and presentations. Skills must include solid experience with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with ArcGIS, InDesign, Microsoft Access or other database software and/or graphic design is a plus. Knowledge of web content management systems, and social media programs, familiarity with video production software, Canva and Photoshop, such as creating infographics and graphics for the web, a plus.

8) Ability to execute tasks with minimal supervision, and ability to respond flexibly to a small staff with significant demands on time.

Education and Experience

Five years experience in leadership roles in writing and preparing publications; experience in public relations and/or work involving relationships with the public; local, regional, or state government experience also desirable as well as administrative experience. Bachelors degree in journalism, public relations, or related field; or any equivalent combination of knowledge and training which provides the required knowledge, experience, skills and abilities. Some journalism experience helpful. Familiarity with transportation planning and urban planning preferred.

Computer Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of Microsoft Word or other word processing software; experience in using computers to write and design publications, including use of desktop publishing software.

Communication Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to write for targeted audiences on websites and social media.

During the COVID pandemic, COG has conducted its work virtually largely through telework. Staff are currently expected to return to the physical office in the beginning of 2022, with continued opportunities for part-time telework.

To apply please email a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to resumes@mwcog.org or visit our website at www.mwcog.org.

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. MWCOG is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other class protected by state or federal laws in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices