VP Public Relations

Pay Range:

$141,587.00 - $233,618.00

Supervisory Organization:

EVP and Chief Communications Officer

Country:

United States of America

Address:

1401 PACIFIC AVE

City:

DALLAS, TX 75202

FLSA:

Exempt

Professionals:

01 - Official Administrator (EEO-4-United States of America), 1A - Officials and Executives (EEO-SubCategory)

General Summary:

To provide executive direction of the overall Public Relations function within the Communications Department. Responsible for the strategic planning and oversight of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) public relations functional programs with the public, news media, and stakeholders including media relations, digital media, special events planning, promotions and internal communications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops strategic framework and goals for the agency’s public relations program and directs and oversees activities to ensure a proactive communications program with the public, news media, regional stakeholders, DART Board and staff.
• Oversees day-to-day operations of the Public Relations Department. Including, internal and external communications, digital and social media, web content, media relations, and the social responsibility and special events programs.  
• Leads the Public Relations Department’s budget planning and administration including proactively evaluating and optimizing resources on an ongoing basis.
• Collaborates with the other departments of the Communications Department on overall budget strategy to optimize financial and staff resources.
• Leads the development of public information efforts for existing, new and developing programs and advises executive management on public relations aspects of such programs.
• Leads a proactive and responsive internal and external communications process during emergencies and crisis situations including ongoing assessment of the incidents and sharing of developing information with Board members and staff, the news media, regional
• Serves as a spokesperson with the news media and agency representative for a wide variety of public and private organizations.
• Consults and advises management on the most effective means of informing the public and the staff about agency matters and emerging issues.
• Coordinates and conducts media and editorial board briefings and press conferences.
• Researches, compiles data, and write reports and speeches for the CEO and other executive staff and Board members as required.
• Conceptualizes public relations campaigns and themes for special events, and directs special events planning and implementation.
• Recruits, supervises and evaluates subordinate staff. Establishes and implements performance measures for staff.
• Prepares and presents written and oral reports for the Board, agency management, key stakeholders, community groups, and the general public.
• Leads communications and media training for agency execitive team, communications department staff and other agency staff as appropriate.
• Writes and reviews articles, statements and talking points.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Note: An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be substituted for the below stated minimums excluding High School Diploma, GED, Licenses, or Certifications.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, public administration, marketing, journalism, communications, political science or related field.
• Eight (8) years progressively responsible public or media relations experience to include eight (8) years at a managerial/supervisory level in the public or media relations environment.
• Knowledge of budget development/analysis, and operational cost factors. 
• Operates DART non-revenue vehicle as required.
• Proficient with personal computer, audio/visual equipment, and software applications.
• Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Interpersonal skills to sensitively communicate with all levels of supervisory and non-supervisory employees, government and civic leaders, Board members and others inside and outside of DART.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that have the desired effect. 
• Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Receives first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services.
• Acts with customers in mind. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect. Ability to manage all kinds and classes of people equitably.
• Deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages and both sexes. Supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all. Ability to be effective in a variety of formal presentation settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports, and bosses.
• Is effective both inside and outside the organization, on both cool data and hot and controversial topics.
• Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions.
• Probes all fruitful sources for answers. Can see hidden problems.
• Ability to be good at establishing clear directions. Sets stretching objectives. Distributes the workload appropriately.
• Lays out work in a well-planned and organized manner. Maintains two-way dialogue with others on work and results. Brings out the best in people. Is a clear communicator.
• Ability to step up to conflicts, seeing them as opportunities. Reads situations quickly. Good at focused listening. Can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably. Finds common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise.
• Ability to blend people into teams when needed. Creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team. Fosters open dialogue. Defines success in terms of the whole team. Creates a feeling of belonging in the team. 
• Ability to marshal resources to get things done; uses resources effectively and efficiently; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal. 
• Ability to quickly develop technical understanding; is good at learning new industry, company or technical knowledge. 
• Ability to accurately scope out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Sets objectives and goals. Breaks down work into the process steps. Develops schedules and task/people assignments. Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks. Measures performance against goals. Evaluates results. 
• Ability to read a situation quickly. Good at focused listening. Can effectively negotiate difficult agreements and settle disputes equitably. Can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in an environment where there is minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature. May be moderately exposed to unpleasant working conditions to include dust, noise, temperature, weather, petroleum products, and chemicals while visiting DART's operating facilities, assuming incumbent is observing all policies and procedures, safety precautions and regulations, and using all protective clothing and devices provided.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may perform other duties as assigned.

DART is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, supporting diversity in the workplace. M/F/D/V

Open until qualified applicants are identified.