Job Description

Basic Function This position will provide strategic executive direction for Community Relations staff and consultants assigned to agency wide initiatives, Metros portfolio of planning projects and local government relations efforts countywide. This position will also provide communications counsel to its counterparts in Planning. This position will also provide oversight to Metros Communications Bench, advisory councils and will build strong relationships with regional leadership across LA County. This position will build collegial relationships and coordinate cross-departmentally on agency-wide efforts. Community Relations - Alternative Project Delivery Communications This position will provide strategic executive direction for Construction Relations on all capital projects including public engagement, stakeholder communications and construction impact mitigation programming for staff and consultants; and will provide strategic communications counsel for its counterparts in Program Management. This position will build collegial relationships and coordinate cross-departmentally on agency-wide efforts and will review and comment on technical documents. Community Relations - Planning, Local Government Relations and Countywide Initiatives Communications This position will provide strategic executive direction for Community Relations staff and consultants assigned to agency wide initiatives, Metros portfolio of planning projects and local government relations efforts countywide. This position will also provide communications counsel to its counterparts in Planning. This position will also provide oversight to Metros Communications Bench, advisory councils and will build strong relationships with regional leadership across LA County. This position will build collegial relationships and coordinate cross-departmentally on agency-wide efforts. Example Of Duties

• Develops and executes departmental strategy and ensures alignment with agency goals
• Directs efforts to manage Metro\xe2\x80\x99s External Communications policy while developing key messages for projects, programs, and initiatives
• Leads budget development and management, including proactively evaluating and optimizing resources on an ongoing basis
• Analyzes communications plans to identify successes and areas for improvement; modifies processes as necessary to provide a clear path to ensure team success and alignment with Metro\xe2\x80\x99s mission and goals
• Directs the development and implementation of work plan goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for assigned function, and monitors progress
• Consults with and recommends to Metro management, Board of Directors, and municipal and transportation officials on the direction, progress, preparation, and funding of external facing policies and programs
• Develops and directs coordination of and promotion of programs and policies, including negotiating contractual agreements with private entities, as well as other public agencies
• Develops and reviews scope of work for contracts; resolves legal, contractual, and technical issues
• Establishes and maintains relationships with Metro Board members and Board staff; regional and local elected officials; and business, professional, civic, government, and community groups regarding Metro plans, policies, programs, and services to build trust and foster key strategies and initiatives
• Directs the development of extensive customer-related and/or Communications programs and studies, including evaluations of existing and proposed services, costs, productivity, cost-effectiveness, and service area impact,
• Assists executive management in responding to inquiries, complaints, and investigations
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports to Board members, Metro management, government officials, key stakeholders, community groups, and the general public
• Represents Metro before public officials, private entities, professional, civic, governmental groups, and at community and special events
• Recruits, supervises, and evaluates assigned staff; manages staff personnel issues
• Establishes and implements performance measures and evaluates staff performance
• Communicates Metro\xe2\x80\x99s safety vision and goals; oversees the implementation of agency and departmental safety rules, policies, and procedures; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

May be required to perform other related job duties Requirements For Employment A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a two-for-one-year basis. A typical combination includes: Education

• Bachelor\xe2\x80\xb2s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Public Policy, Marketing, Communications, or a related field; Master\xe2\x80\xb2s Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Eight years of relevant senior management-level experience in customer relations; marketing; government relations; communications; public affairs/relations; public art or public engagement

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience applying environmental planning principals, regulations, and protocols
• Experience managing local government relations.
• Experience implementing Strategies and tactics for diverse planning approaches (traditional, p3, etc.)
• Experience developing statements of work and managing consultants.
• Experience reviewing and providing constructive comments on technical planning documents.
• Experience leading cross-departmental teams in achieving project goals.
• Experience applying diverse construction methodologies to public outreach and engagement
• Experience deploying and managing construction mitigation.
• Experience implementing public engagement and outreach tactics.
• Experience overseeing general construction across various transportation modes.
• Experience reviewing and providing feedback on technical documents to lead matrixed teams.
• Experience developing scopes of work and managing consultant contracts.
  

Knowledge:

• Theories, principles, and practices of marketing, advertising, public policy, communications, web and social media, and public engagement
• Organizational structure, functioning, and protocol of public agencies and state/federal/local governments
• Research theories and techniques
• Social and political issues influencing transportation programs
• Administration methods, including goals setting, program and budget development and implementation, capital and operating budgets, funding sources, and finance best practices
• Decision making processes and implementation
• Modern management theory, including staff management
  

Skills:

• Directing the overall operations of a major function within Communications
• Developing and editing high-quality materials
• Making presentations and publicly speaking to large audiences
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Establishing and implementing policies and procedures
• Management of staff, projects, programs, and initiatives
• Planning and administering a departmental budget
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Exhibiting diplomacy and tact when communicating with others
• Interacting professionally with Metro employees, Board of Directors and Board staff, elected officials, stakeholders, and the public
• Supervising, training, and motivating assigned employees
• Mediating and negotiating

Abilities:

• Manage a diverse team of individuals

• Build a high performing culture

• Establish and implement performance measures for the department and staff

• Collaborate with internal and external partners

• Plan financial and staffing needs and resource allocations

• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements

• Represent Metro before public officials, private entities, professional, civic, governmental groups, and community and special events

• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence

• Handle highly confidential information and materials
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Selection Procedure Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.