Director, Media Relations

Basic Function

The Director, Media Relations maintains and improves relations and communications between METRO, the public and the media. Serves as spokesperson and primary contact with the media. Assists the EVP for Communications in developing and executing the overall public relations/press strategy. Responsible for management oversight and setting goals for Press Office, and Social Media divisions. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Provides primary managerial direction and performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g., training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing productivity of staff, and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.
• Acts as a METRO spokesperson and is responsible for frontline contact for electronic, print media and social media.
• Manages media interviews for the Board and President & CEO, sets up editorial board meetings, drafts public statements, issues news releases, and oversees placement of various articles for local and national distribution.
• Assists the EVP in budget development for the Media Relations division.
• Supervises a team of Media Specialists and Social Media Specialists to develop and implement media strategy.
• Generates and provides appropriate responses to media inquiries concerning METRO both to print, journalists, and on camera, as needed, within prescribed deadlines and on call as needed.
• Provides professional expertise to consult and advise the Board and senior management in specific public relations activities such as crisis management, media contact, speeches, community relations and others as required.
• Cultivates relationships with local, state, and national news and trade media.
• Remains informed on all aspects of METRO to ensure correct information is distributed to the media and accurate story content is presented in METRO publications.
• Develops questions and answers (Q&A) fact sheets, talking points and other communication pieces for various communication platforms, and assists in creation of handouts for press events, etc.
• Oversees newsletters, bus and rail displays, videos, social media posts, and other relevant public content.
• Engages in communication with METRO departments to develop creative content for media stories on METRO or other relevant topics.
• Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, English or a related degree is required.

Years & Experience Required

Minimum eight (8) years’ senior/professional experience in media relations, public relations, journalism; to include three (3) years supervisor/management experience.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Knowledge of Houston/Harris County media. Strong presentation and interpersonal skills to positively interact with the community and media. Strong communications (written/verbal) skills. Proficient with Microsoft office suite and electronic web-based communications tools.

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.