SENIOR MANAGER OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications

The Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications leads a team of subject matter experts, plans and spearheads effective marketing communications programs to achieve KPIs in order to meet or exceed goals. The Senior Manager helps develop SMART goals and aligned strategies to increase the use of transit and achieve revenue goals, conducts research, enhances the image and reputation of MCTS, and provides for greater understanding of transit's vital role in the county and region.

The Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications reports to the Senior Director of Public Affairs and External Relations and has three direct reports: the Communications Manager, Digital Experience Manager and Marketing & Events Specialist.

Essential Functions:

• Guides the team and external creative partners to elevate MCTS to increase ridership across advertising, website, digital storytelling, social media, PR, internal communications channels, community outreach, sponsorships, events, and promotional materials. Develop plans and manage the annual marketing communications plan.
• Assists in development of departmental and team SMART goals
• Assists in communications with the media regarding MCTS positions, policies, and events; participates in interviews with media representatives often with limited time to prepare. Acts as company spokesperson as needed
• Fields and analyzes rider research to identify customer pain points and opportunities throughout the customer journey.
• Supports the Business Services team to promote fare sales programs (business and university clients) and advertising programs with increased revenues annually.
• Builds internal relationships to serve departmental needs ensuring a cohesive approach to communicating company-wide initiatives and accomplishments.
• Collaborates with Finance and leads marketing programming to expand the WisGo fare collection system to transit agencies across Wisconsin. Continuously improves customer experience with the mobile app that provides riders with fare payment and Real-Time bus tracking and route planning.
• Collaborates with Service Development to understand how quarterly service changes are created to develop and lead robust marketing communications campaigns to inform passengers via digital channels and community meetings.
• Collaborates with IT to communicate internal priorities, understand the interconnection of available technologies in transit, and continuously improve the digital experience.
• Collaborates with HR, Transportation and Maintenance on workforce communications and recruitment advertising.
• Collaborates with Safety, Security & Project Management and Risk Management on safety related messaging and positional reputation.
• Oversees staff that administers contracts for on-bus and shelter advertising. Provides oversight of consultants and service providers: advertising agencies, freelancers, printing partners, research firms, etc.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, journalism, public relations or a related field required. M.B.A. or other advanced degree preferred.
• Ten (10) years of related professional experience required.
• Five (5) years of management experience required.
• Experience as a spokesperson or public information officer that successfully represented an organization in front of news media and with the public preferred.
• Experience in project management techniques, including budgeting, scheduling, scoping, goal and KPI development, and quality control. A track record of on-budget, on-time, and within scope project delivery.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of advertising, marketing, PR, internal communications, and issues management principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of current advertising and marketing trends.
• Knowledge of the political process at local, state and federal levels.
• Knowledge of customer experience best practices.
• Skilled in computer operations, presentation software and mobile applications.
• Skilled writer and speaker with strong ability to communicate effectively, concisely, and logically.
• Skilled in problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Ability to develop and execute company strategies to attain outcomes for set goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships.
• Ability to form an opinion about visual design elements, message content, and message delivery methodology, and build consensus for a preference.
• Energetic, dynamic, and articulate.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors:

• Work is frequently conducted in an office or similar indoor environment relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
• Physical requirements are those described as sedentary work, which includes exerting ten (10) pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently and/or constantly having to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Disclaimer Statement:

The above are general requirements that must be met for consideration. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of job qualifications or job duties.

Milwaukee Transport Services Inc. (Milwaukee County Transit System) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age; military status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.