Manager of Media Relations

Job Description:

Manager of Media Relations

Description

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Job Summary

PAY RATE:
Non-Represented Pay Band 09
Minimum: $154,555.00/year - Maximum: $234,151.00/year
Note: The starting negotiable salary offer will be between $154,555.00/year - $186,700.00/year commensurate with education and experience.

REPORTS TO

Chief Communications Officer or designee

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is recruiting to fill a Manager of Media Relations position in the External Affairs Department.

The Manager of Media Relations works in the Communications Department and manages all media relations activities for the District including the BART Police Department. The position will serve as one of several spokespersons for the District and will rotate on-call duty to provide 24 hour, 7 days a week response. This position will take the lead on coordinating with the relevant BART Departments to arrange on scene media press conferences, tours, and interviews.

This position supports the Chief Communications Officer in the development of complex communication initiatives and works with team members and direct reports to execute both long term and rapid response communication strategies. This position will assign staffing levels and duties to Communications Department staff during major service disruptions, crisis/emergency situations, and planned media outreach.

This position should have foremost an absolutely impeccable command of news judgment as well as grammar and style; be a highly effective written and oral communicator; be able to work collaboratively with those in many other departments and explain complex concepts to those who are new to them; and work quickly and calmly under pressure.

This position may assume Chief Communications Officer responsibilities when necessary.

The most qualified candidate for this position will have highly developed competencies beyond the minimum qualifications in the following areas, which will be reinforced with related work experience and will be clearly articulated during the selection process:

• Proven track record of leading high-impact media campaigns in a complex, multi-stakeholder public agency or transportation environment with extensive “on-the-record” and on-camera experience.
• Deep relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, including transportation, infrastructure, and public safety reporters.
• Expertise in navigating politically sensitive or high-profile public issues with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience integrating social media strategy with traditional media outreach to amplify messaging and engagement.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.

Examples of Duties

Manages and administers the operations and activities of the District’s Media Relations Program; oversees public relations initiatives and media events.

Serves as spokesperson for the District on a variety of issues affecting BART and the communities it serves.

Supports all BART department initiatives using media relations and public relations strategies.

Oversees the development of press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, website content, talking points, speeches, opinion pieces and presentations.

Manages the spokesperson on-call calendar, ensuring continuous coverage and proper activation during major service disruptions and other incidents requiring a response from the District.

Manages all responses to the news media; manages press conference planning and execution.

Keeps apprised of industry trends, communication technologies; advises Chief Communications Officer on strategic changes to maximize positive earned media.

Conducts analytical and operational studies; evaluates and recommends improvements to policies, procedures, and service delivery methods; prepares formal reports and presentations.

Participates in budget development and administration, including forecasting, monitoring expenditures, and recommending adjustments.

Directs and coordinates the work of assigned staff and contractors; oversees the planning, development, and implementation of programs, contracts, and internal procedures to ensure effective, efficient, and cost-conscious execution of departmental goals and objectives.

Directs and ensures timely response to legislative, media and community requests.

Plans, organizes, and oversees the preparation of reports including recommendations to the Board of Directors, committees, and other management staff.

Plans and coordinates staff meetings regarding assigned projects and programs; schedules meetings and prepares agendas; arranges facilities; notifies participants.

Composes, compiles, and prepares correspondence, reports and documents; reviews finished materials for completeness, accuracy and compliance with District policies and procedures; may oversee the maintenance of accurate records and files.

Serves as the Communications Department liaison within the District and with outside agencies; provides solutions and methodologies for effective support to District operations; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.

May be required to operate a vehicle for transportation when revenue transit service is unavailable in order to attend and represent the District at press events and in meetings with the media and various community groups and organizations.

Selects, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; and implements discipline and termination procedures.


Minimum Qualifications

EITHER

Experience
Two (2) years of experience in the Communications Department of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District in a principal-level role or as a Communications Officer.

OR

Education :
Possession of a bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience :
The equivalent of five (5) years of professional verifiable experience in marketing, communications, media, journalism or closely related experience, which must have included at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Substitution :
Additional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

Other Requirements :
Must be able to work overtime, on-call, weekends and be able to travel.
Must possess a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of :

• Operations of a comprehensive communications program
• Methods and techniques of developing and implementing comprehensive media relations programs
• Policies and procedures governing the release of information to the general public
• Principles of crisis communication
• Methods and techniques of research and analysis
• Principles and practices of project coordination and management
• Methods and techniques of policy analysis and development
• Principles of strategic planning and public outreach
• Principles and practices of contract administration
• Principles of budget preparation and control
• Principles and practices of business math, accounting and budgeting
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation
• Principles of public sector labor relations, contract interpretation, and grievance handling
• Related Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations

Skill in :

• Managing a comprehensive communications program
• Developing and implementing communications policies and guidelines
• Managing situations impacting public relations
• Selecting, supervising, training and evaluating staff
• Participating in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures
• Overseeing the work of contracted consultants and program administrators
• Preparing and administering large program budgets
• Preparing clear and concise administrative and financial reports
• Managing large-scale projects
• Overseeing the maintenance of District personnel files and records
• Delegating authority and responsibility
• Analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals
• Researching, analyzing and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques
• Interpreting and applying Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Equal Employment Opportunity GroupBox1

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at employment@bart.gov .

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs .

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) prides itself in offering best in class benefits packages to employees of the District. Currently, the following benefits may be available to employees in this job classification.

Highlights

• Medical Coverage (or $350/month if opted out)
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Insurance (Basic and Enhanced Plans Available)
• Retirement Plan through the CA Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • 2% @ 55 (Classic Members)
  • 2% @ 62 (PEPRA Members)
  • 3% at 50 (Safety Members - Classic)
  • 2.7% @ 57 (Safety Members - PEPRA)
  • Reciprocity available for existing members of many other public retirement systems (see BART website and/or CalPERS website for details)
• Money Purchase Pension Plan (in-lieu of participating in Social Security tax)
  • 6.65% employer contribution up to annual maximum of $1,868.65
• Deferred Compensation & Roth 457
• Sick Leave Accruals (12 days per year)
• Vacation Accruals (3-6 weeks based on time worked w/ the District)
• Holidays: 9 observed holidays and 5 floating holidays
• Life Insurance w/ ability to obtain additional coverage
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Survivor Benefits through BART
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care
• Commuter Benefits
• Free BART Passes for BART employees and eligible family members.

Closing Date/Time: 11/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$154,555.00 - $234,151.00 Annually