Senior Communications Manager

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

The Senior Communications Manager supervises the Communications Managers (COMMS 1) within the Metro Integrated Command & Communications (MICC) Center. The leader in this role is responsible for guiding daily messaging on all Metro-owned channels used by the MICC Communications Section to communicate operational readiness or disruptions during a 24/7 period. The incumbent ensures that Metrobus and Metrorail service and system information is communicated promptly, concisely, and transparently to both customers and internal Metro staff. Additionally, the person chosen for this role is responsible for maintaining up-to-date processes, procedures, and training requirements for the MICC Communications Section and advises the Director of MICC Communications on necessary departmental changes. The Senior Communications Manager serves as the subject matter expert and acts on the Director's behalf to ensure customer communications is a priority for the MICC.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration, Public Affairs, or other related fields.
A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive management experience including the supervision of staff in a customer service and/or operations control center environment.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree
Control center experience
Multi-lingual
Operations Radio communications experience

Responsibilities

Manages the hiring of Communications Managers, Assistant Communications Managers, Public Communications Coordinators, and Communications Agents.
Manages staff development, training, succession planning, and ensures performance evaluations of all staff align with Metro's Human Capital policies.
Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions.
Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System, and just culture principles.
Establishes and promotes awareness of standard operating procedures and guidelines and leads the planning, development, management, and implementation of new or revised policies and procedures.
Ensures customer communication strategy during incidents is in compliance with the Communications Section's guidance documents and manuals.
Coordinates all planned events to ensure accurate, timely, and reliable dissemination of information to customers.
Ensures effective implementation of operating plans, schedules, instructions, and playbooks.
Participates in meetings with other Metro departments to discuss bus and rail advisories and is responsible for dissemination of the information for the Director and staff.
Reviews technical requirements/user specifications for the Communications Section and identifies areas for process efficiencies.
Serves as the Communications Section's point of contact user testing of new/updated applications and software.
Oversees document management for the Communications Section and ensures that the section's SharePoint page is up to date.
Ensuring desk manuals, PA schedules, and other documentation is provided and maintained for accuracy and responding to audit requests.
Approves leave requests, supervises assignment and vacation selection process.
Leads after-action reviews, recommends commendations, improvements, and/or corrective actions to include the development of Lessons Learned, Safety Standdown, and refresher training sessions.
Assists the Director in creating presentations and reports for leadership, preparing memorandums for staff.
Coordinates with other MICC section's colleagues to engage the Communications section staff in safety observations and inspections.
Oversees Local 2 Grievance processat the Step 1 Level.
On Director's behalf, participates in EOC during emergencies.
Take on additional responsibilities as assigned by the Director.
Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions.
Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.