TEMPORARY, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATION (MEDIA RELATIONS)

LA Metro; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Limited benefits

Job summary

LA Metro seeks a temporary Communications Manager to lead a unit within the Communications Department, directing marketing, public relations and customer communications initiatives. This role focuses on policy development, program management, and coordination with design, social media and external partners.

The position requires strong leadership, five years of management experience in related fields, and a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Master’s preferred).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; master's preferred.
• Five years of management-level experience in customer-facing communications technology, marketing, or public relations.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and manages the unit's activities.
• Develops and monitors program work plans, budgets, and standards.
• Plans and oversees communications programs and project scopes of work.
• Reviews contractor proposals and oversees contractor work.
• Collaborates with brand/design and social media teams to maintain Metro's voice.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and maintains department financials.
• Supervises and mentors assigned staff; supports staff development.
• Ensures safety policies and agency-wide compliance.

Skills

Planning and directing

Project management

Critical thinking

Communication (oral)

Communication (written)

Staff supervision

Mediation and negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree (communications, marketing, PR, public admin, business, CS, MIS, visual communications, graphic design)

Master's degree preferred

Job description

THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARY (UP TO 40 HOURS) WITH LIMITED BENEFITS. (Please see Benefits tab for additional information.) No Qualified Candidate Pool (QCP) will be established. You will only be contacted if there is an interest from the hiring department.

Directs and manages the performance of a functional unit within the Communications Department associated with the development and implementation of marketing, public relations, and customer communications policies, programs, plans, and projects for Metro.

Recruitment Timelines

Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of September 14, 2026. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARY (UP TO 40 HOURS) WITH LIMITED BENEFITS.

• Plans, directs, and manages the unit's activities
• Develops, implements, and monitors program work plan goals, objectives, policies, procedures, budget, and work standards
• Develops and implements Board of Directors adopted policy in support of the communication of information
• Plans and oversees the study and implementation of marketing, public relations, and communications programs
• Develops and reviews scopes of work for contracts; resolves legal, contractual, and technical issues
• Reviews and evaluates contractor proposals, oversees contractor work, and reviews and approves work product
• Designs policies, programs, fiscal management plans, and administrative procedures
• Interacts with business, professional, civic, government, community groups and leaders in the coordination and implementation of projects
• Collaborates with Design Studio staff to ensure quality and consistency of Metro's brand design and voice across all marketing platforms
• Collaborates with interactive and social media staff to keep up to date on new trends and ensure best practices
• Prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Develops, oversees, monitors, and adheres to department budget, goals, and schedules which comply with agency-wide fiscal responsibility
• Supervises and motivates assigned staff
• Implements and/or ensures staff development and training
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

May be required to perform other related job duties

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Public Administration, Business, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Visual Communications, Graphic Design, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant management-level experience in customer-facing communications technology (web and mobile), or marketing and communications, or communications and creative new media

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

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience developing and executing effective, strategic media relations plans covering high-profile, multi-year projects
• Experience as an on-camera and on-the-record media spokesperson
• Experience managing and developing direct and indirect reports to achieve organizational goals
• Experience supporting public relations for major infrastructure or construction projects

Knowledge of

• Current theories, principles, and practices associated with marketing, advertising, digital media and customer communications.
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing information systems for a public agency
• Mass communication techniques and promotional program management
• Digital marketing strategy and channels, content marketing and social media
• Electronic media materials and processes, including advertising, copywriting, scriptwriting, production techniques, distribution, and placement
• Advertising and promotional tactics
• Video and print production processes and formats
• Print media materials and processes, including photographic, video, and graphic media
• Media planning and buying
• Finance and budget analysis
• Data research techniques
• Project management techniques and tools
• Editing techniques; proofreading symbols, and terminology
• English composition, grammar, and punctuation
• Modern management theory

Skill in

• Planning, organizing, and directing a communications program/unit and staff
• Managing large-scale projects from inception to culmination
• Determining strategies to achieve goals utilizing a project management approach
• Critical thinking
• Understanding the dynamics of today's media landscape and its impact on Metro's business and customers
• Reviewing, understanding, and reporting data using analytics
• Performing data and statistical analysis
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Interacting professionally with various levels of employees and outside representatives
• Supervising, training, and motivating assigned staff
• Mediating and negotiating

Ability to

• Display attention to detail and organizational skills
• Plan financial and staffing needs
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Make verbal presentations supplemented by written materials
• Be innovative in leveraging limited resources
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(TL)