POSITION SUMMARY

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) is seeking a business professional that excels in external affairs and communication, who is a highly energetic and forward-thinking professional who is passionate about serving our communities with innovation and sustainability in mind.

The External Affairs Manager will plan, direct, and manage MVTA’s public affairs, marketing, communication, and customer relationship initiatives to ensure clarity, brand and image consistency, and coverage of key communication components needed to fulfill the goals of the agency with regard to the public, key influencers and stakeholders, news media, and employees. Provides counsel to senior management on crisis issues, community outreach and high-profile projects. Develops and maintains strategic relationships with local, state, and federal government entities, elected officials, non-profit organizations, and businesses to advance MVTA’s mission and success goals.

MVTA serves as the public transportation agency for seven suburbs south of the Twin Cities within the large population of Dakota County and rapidly growing Scott County. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned External Affairs Manager to make a broad impact, helping to shape the services MVTA delivers and the sustainability of the agency.

JOB DUTIES OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Oversees and facilitates all short-term and long-term MVTA external affairs and communication; primary functions to include marketing, partnerships, brand and image consistency, public relations, and customer communication.
• Manages the development and implementation of the annual public relations and marketing plans in accordance with MVTA’s Strategic Plan.
• As directed by Senior Leadership, develops engagement plans in community affairs and government relations to ensure MVTA is involved in critical discussions and opportunities to advance the organization at local, regional, state, and federal levels.
• Leads brand and image development and consistency to increase community awareness and value of MVTA.
• Directs day-to-day activities of MVTA’s external affairs/customer service, communication, and marketing.
• Advise on external issues and communications to the MVTA’s Board members, Chief Executive Officer, and Senior Leadership Team.
• Develops annual department and advertising scope of work and budget.
• Collaborates with other Departments within the Agency to optimize resources, including marketing efforts, communication, and stakeholder involvement.
• Oversees the design and content for the MVTA website, digital newsletter, and other marketing information sources.
• Research, compiles data, and writes reports for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive staff and Board members, as required.
• Attend regulatory and legislative calls/meetings as may be needed to support the CEO (organization).
• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

This position may encounter not public data in the course of these duties. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to perform the duties. While data are being accessed, this position should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished, this position must properly store the not public data.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience, training required, and skills/abilities.

Education

• Four-year Bachelor’s degree in business management/administration, public administration, marketing and outreach, project management, or relevant field, etc.

Experience

• Three years of relevant management-level experience in directing external or community affairs, media, public relations, and communications activities including performing public relations work for a public, non-profit, or governmental agency.
• Demonstrated experience effectively facilitating projects and communicating with stakeholders in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects with high level of complexity and value impact.
• Experience with modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computer applications, spreadsheets, and statistical databases; personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.
• Advanced experience presenting information and public speaking.
• Two years of management experience.

Trainings, Certificates, and Licenses

• Advance training in tools to assist with marketing, outreach, and education

Skills and Abilities

• Theories, principles, and practices of external affairs, strategic communications, including strategic planning, public relations, media relations, internal communications, digital media, promotions, special events, risk communications, community relations, and issues management
• Effective uses of media communications, including print, radio, television, online, and social media
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations
• Financial practices, including business finance, budgeting, and recordkeeping
• Modern management theories
• Applicable business software applications
• Ability to travel to offsite locations and work a flexible schedule (may include nights and weekend events, or delegation of)
• Possess a valid driver’s license

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience, and training preferred to exceptionally perform all the functions of this position.

Education

• See above Minimum Qualifications

Experience

• Four years of relevant management-level experience in directing external or community affairs, media, public relations, and communications activities including performing public

Certificates, and Licenses

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification

COMPLEXITY

While performing the normal duties of this job, different processes and methods applied to an established professional or technical field.

RESPONSIBILITY

Supervision Needed

This position both operates under minimal supervision based on overall objectives and available resources and must make decisions based on inadequate guidelines that require considerable interpretation and force the employee to plan all the phases of the assignment and develop some new methods.

Supervision Given

Coordination of work in multiple but related functions through subordinate supervisors.

Impact

While performing the normal duties of this job, this position’s work affects a wide range of professional projects and administrative activities of the organization, influences internal and external operations, or impacts many people.

REQUIRED PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORK CONDITIONS

The physical demands and work conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Position requires sitting, walking, standing, bending, twisting in the performance of daily activities and extended use at a computer. The position may occasionally be required to lift at least 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Hazards

While performing the duties of this job, the position hazards are considered nonstrenuous.

Surroundings

While performing the duties of this job, this position will experience exposure to inside, low risk, environmental conditions.

MVTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, ensuring a drug-free work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals employed in this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and qualifications required of personnel in this job. The employer may and reserves its right to change the job description and establish, modify, or eliminate job duties and responsibilities and jobs at its discretion with or without notice.