Senior Communications Strategist

Who We Are 

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) is a public agency with the mission to create new and better ways to move and connect people. The RTA partners with transit providers, communities, companies, and citizens to create a vision for public transit – what it can be, what it can do, what we can achieve with it – and to bring that vision to life. By exploring new strategies to improve transit coverage and service, secure and oversee funding, and increase accessibility to transit offerings, the RTA plays a crucial role in unleashing our region’s boundless potential. 

Our 10-member board is appointed for three-year terms by the Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne county executives, the chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, the Mayor of Detroit, and the Governor of Michigan. The Governor's appointee serves as a non-voting chair. The RTA was established by the state Public Act 387 in 2012. 

The RTA oversees the operation of the QLINE streetcar system in Detroit. 

Our Mission: Creating new and better ways to move and connect people. 

Our Vision: A Southeast Michigan where advances in transit create greater prosperity for all. 

RTA’s Values 

Creativity – bringing innovative thinking to enhance the transit experience. 

Empathy – understanding how we can help improve lives across the region. 

Opportunity – leading the way to the future of transit in Southeast Michigan. 

Learn more at We’re The RTA. Get On Board. 

About This Role

The Communications Strategist is responsible for developing and executing strategic communications initiatives that enhance the Regional Transit Authority's visibility, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and advance the organization's mission. This position serves as the lead coordinator for social media strategy, digital content development, agency newsletter publication, and editorial writing for the RTA and its family of brands: D2A2, DAX, QLINE and TransitApp.

The ideal candidate is an exceptional storyteller who can translate complex information into engaging content for diverse audiences. They will manage the organization's social media presence, produce feature stories for publication, cultivate industry relationships, and ensure all communications reflect a consistent brand voice and strategic message .

You will join a team of driven and dedicated leaders committed to enhancing regional transit across Metro Detroit’s communities, connecting people to where they need and want to go.

The Senior Communications Strategist will operate in a professional office environment and maintain a hybrid remote-and-in-office presence consistent with RTA policies and organizational needs. This position requires occasional local and regional travel to attend meetings, community events, stakeholder engagements, and outreach activities. The role may also require evening and weekend work to support board meetings, public events, media opportunities, emergency communications, and other organizational priorities. The employee may occasionally be required to lift or transport materials weighing up to 25 pounds and set up or break down materials for community events or public meetings.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Develop and implement comprehensive communications strategies that support organizational goals and priorities connected to the RTA Strategic Plan.
• Manage social media plans, editorial calendars, and transit-related marketing campaign strategies.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the organization's visibility through earned, owned, and shared marketing and media opportunities.
• Raise the organization’s visibility among key stakeholders, including policymakers, funders, community leaders, and the general public.
• Provide communications counsel and support to internal departments, RTA leadership and regional-wide transit service providers.
• The ability to solve and respond to transit-related crisis situations that require immediate attention during peak and off-peak windows of time. 

Social Media Management

• Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of social media campaigns across multiple platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and emerging channels.
• Increase audience engagement across social media channels.
• Develop engaging content, including posts, graphics, videos, reels, and stories.
• Manage content calendars and coordinate posting schedules.
• Monitor analytics and prepare performance reports with recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Respond to audience engagement and ensure timely, professional online interactions.
• Stay current on social media trends, platform updates, and best practices.

News Writing and Publication Development

• Research, write, edit, and publish news articles, feature stories, op-eds, blogs, newsletters, and organizational publications.
• Develop and execute a high-visibility communications framework for executive leadership positioning that leads to a trusted and influential industry voice
• Conduct interviews with staff, stakeholders, partners, and community members to develop compelling stories.
• Produce publication-ready content that meets journalistic standards, AP Style, and organizational brand requirements.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to translate technical information into accessible, engaging content.
• Maintain a content pipeline that highlights organizational accomplishments, initiatives, and community impact.

Digital Content and Brand Management

• Ensure a consistent voice, tone, and visual identity across all communications platforms.
• Coordinate written website content and digital storytelling initiatives.
• Collaborate with graphic designers, photographers, and videographers to produce high-quality content.
• Maintain brand standards and messaging guidelines.

Stakeholder and Community Communications

• Support outreach and engagement efforts with community partners, government officials, business leaders, stakeholders, and the transit community.
• Develop communications materials for events, public meetings, presentations, and campaigns.
• Promote organizational initiatives and community impact through strategic storytelling.

Leadership and Project Management

• Manage communications projects from concept through execution.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external vendors to deliver communications products on schedule.
• Build rapport with department colleagues, teams and volunteers to produce high-level content that captures each sector's voice and vision.
• Establish workflows and editorial processes that improve efficiency and quality.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills.
• Strong understanding of AP Style and journalistic practices.
• Expertise in social media strategy, analytics, and content management.
• Ability to write for multiple audiences and communication channels.
• Knowledge of media relations and public affairs practices.
• Proficiency with content management systems, email marketing platforms, and social media management tools such as Hootsuite and Mailer Lite.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar design platforms preferred.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in government, transportation, public sector, nonprofit, or community-focused organizations.
• Experience developing thought leadership content, op-eds, and executive communications.
• Photography, video editing, or multimedia storytelling experience.

Minimum Education and Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or digital media.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational social media platforms and campaigns.
• Professional experience writing news articles, feature stories, press releases, and publications for external audiences.
• Experience working with media outlets and managing public-facing communications.

Pay Classification

• Salary Position

Benefits

RTA offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week. New employees are eligible to join plans offered on the first of the month following 60 days of employment. The benefits package includes:

• Paid Time Off and 11 holidays
• Retirement
• Health Insurance, including telehealth care support
• UNUM Dental and Vision Coverage
• Short-Term Disability
• Optional Log-Term Disability Coverage
• Optional Life Insurance Coverage
• Optional Critical Insurance Coverage
• Optional Pet and Legal Insurance Coverage
• Transit passes, main office parking
• Professional development

At-Will Employment

Your employment with the RTA will be "at-will." This means that either you or the RTA may terminate your employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. By accepting this position, you confirm you understand and agree that this at-will relationship cannot be changed or retracted, either orally or in writing, or by any policy or conduct, unless you receive a document expressly stating that your employment is no longer at-will, which is signed both by you and the Executive Director.

Immigration Laws

For purposes of federal immigration laws, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. Such documentation must be provided on your first day of employment, or your employment relationship with the RTA may be terminated.