The Manager of External Relations is a mid-level manager position that reports to the Chief Government & External Affairs Officer. This position is responsible for managing outreach and engagement efforts to a wide range of community partners and stakeholders, and members of the public within VIA's service area.
As part of a larger team of professionals dedicated to VIA's public engagement efforts, this position will help to shape, plan, and disseminate information to a variety of external audiences using different approaches and mediums. A unified strategy will be utilized as the organization's marketing and promotions, communications, and government and community relations functional areas work together to develop the agency's larger public involvement and external affairs efforts.
This individual will represent VIA with a wide variety of community groups and will supervise various community-related programs. This individual will have experience in public engagement within the NEPA process to engage diverse socioeconomic populations at all levels.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Serves as an advocate for public transportation and build and maintain positive community relationships across VIA's 14-member city service area.
Facilitates the work of VIA advisory committees including the VIA Transit Community Council and related sub-committees
Contributes to efforts to increase public and community support for public transportation and VIA's efforts to meet the growing and diverse demand of our region's mobility needs.
Contributes to efforts to increase ridership and shape VIA's community presence and image through public outreach efforts as part of a larger team of public relations experts.
Communicates VIA's plans and priorities to our customers and stakeholders and lead the work of a team of community relations specialists.
Contributes to internal and external communications efforts to foster effective and frequent communication with neighborhood groups, stakeholders, community organizations and the public, about VIA developments, news, key issues, ongoing efforts and activities and strategic initiatives.
Effectively and efficiently manages numerous projects and responsibilities simultaneously.
Monitors expenditures to ensure cost-effective support of VIA's core public relations efforts.
Complies with records management standards and company policy.
Works in a synergistic manner across the organization to build support for VIA's public involvement efforts.
Provides input specific to public involvement strategies and external stakeholders to a larger team of public relations professionals.
Develops community outreach presentations, program plans and strategies, provides recommendations for new policies and procedures to Public Engagement Group Leadership.
Understands and conveys the opinions and concerns of community members and more formalized community groups to internal partners for consideration as part of VIA's overall public relations programs.
Partner with creative times, other internal stakeholders and external agencies and vendors.
Lead and enable cross-functional collaboration and successfully manage diverse functional teams across the agency in support of project assignments.
Manages community relations personnel by planning and overseeing work assignments and conducting appropriate personnel actions, including performance evaluations and training activities.
This job description excludes marginal functions that are incidental to performing the job. Other duties may exist.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's Degree in Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Business, Communications, Public Relations, or related field. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public relations and public involvement efforts. Three (3) years in a management position directing community relations and/or public involvement efforts. Bilingual (English/Spanish) and prior experience with public sector entities and transportation issues highly preferred. Equivalent combinations of experience may substitute for degree.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Key leadership qualities, including integrity; a strong work ethic; accountability; strong interpersonal skills; team-building skills; commitment to follow through; discretion with confidential or sensitive matters; being pro-active; and a commitment to excellence.
Must be able to adapt and be flexible and manage multiple, and often competing, priorities.
Recognizes chain of command and proper business protocol involving senior leadership, executive management, middle managers, direct supervisory roles and distinctions.
Support of key business objectives through integrated communication strategies and tactics.
Advanced business communication skills and strong editing and writing skills.
Must be able to communicate technical information in a concise and relevant manner, including the development of reports, presentations and routine correspondence.
Must be able to deliver targeted messages to diverse audiences.
Must understand the value of technology and social media in the field of public engagement.
Must be able to exercise tact and diplomacy when working with diverse audiences.
Management skills to energize, motivate and fully leverage talents of diverse individuals working together to accomplish shared goals, tasks and/or projects.
Must be able to effectively interact across diverse business, socio-economic and cultural environments.
Must be able to maintain good work attendance.
Safety Accountability Statement:
Employees must consider safety in all tasks performed, as well as demonstrate safe judgment and decisions that not only maintain their own safety; but that of fellow employees and customers.
Demonstrate a professional commitment to assure compliance with all organizational policies, practices, and programs; related to safety, health, and system security.
Employees have a responsibility to identify and report hazards, as well as potentially unsafe conditions, to your immediate supervisor or Safety Department.
Employees are responsible, and required, to stop a job/task to prevent an unsafe incident or act from occurring. This acknowledges the threat of potential injury, property damage and the opportunity for better judgment to be used
Must support VIA's EEO and Diversity Program.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Physical ability required to be mobile, bend, stoop, reach and lift objects weighing 5-25 pounds such as files, supplies, equipment and large heavy reference manuals and books.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Works in normal office environment.
Requires irregular hours from time to time.
VIA Metropolitan Transit is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.