Position Title: Director of Marketing & Communications

Reports to: Chief External Affairs & Strategy Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt (Professional)

Role: __ People Manager Individual Contributor

General Description

The Director of Marketing & Communications provides strategic leadership for VRE's marketing, communications, digital engagement, brand management, and organizational communications functions. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director serves as the senior advisor on marketing, communications, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and regional rail transformation communications.

This position is responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies that support VRE's transition from a traditional commuter rail service to a regional rail network as envisioned in System Plan 2050. The Director will lead initiatives that strengthen public understanding, grow ridership, enhance stakeholder confidence, elevate the VRE brand, support executive leadership communications, and position VRE as a regional transportation leader.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Directs VRE’s marketing activities and initiatives working with leadership and staff to understand VRE’s operational and communication goals, and aligning marketing and communication goals with other divisions and the organization

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement VRE's integrated marketing and communications strategy.
Provide strategic communications counsel to the Executive Leadership Team, and Operations Board.
Ensure communications activities support VRE's long-term strategic vision and regional rail transformation.
Establish communications goals, priorities, performance metrics, and reporting frameworks.
Lead communications planning for major initiatives, service enhancements, and organizational milestones.
Foster cross-functional collaboration through VRE's Integrated Communications Hub.

Brand Strategy & Regional Rail Transformation

Lead the evolution and stewardship of the VRE brand.
Develop and manage the Regional Rail Transformation Brand and supporting communications platform.
Ensure all communications reinforce a clear, consistent, and compelling vision for regional rail.
Oversee messaging frameworks, visual identity standards, and brand governance.
Position VRE as a leader in mobility, regional connectivity, economic development, and passenger rail innovation.

Marketing & Ridership Growth

Develop and oversee ridership growth strategies and marketing campaigns.
Utilize market research and audience insights to identify and engage future rider segments.
Lead advertising, promotional campaigns, destination marketing, and traveler acquisition initiatives.
Develop performance-driven digital marketing programs, including social media advertising, retargeting campaigns, and audience development efforts.
Measure marketing effectiveness and optimize campaigns based on data and customer feedback.

Digital Communications & Website Strategy

As the organization’s Webmaster, oversee website strategy, governance, content management, and customer experience.
Lead implementation of digital communications strategies supporting both current and future riders.
Ensure accessibility, usability, and customer-centric design across all digital platforms.
Expand and optimize social media channels as marketing, engagement, and storytelling tools.
Strengthen VRE's LinkedIn presence to engage business, government, transportation, and economic development audiences.

Communications & Content Strategy

Direct content development across digital, social, print, video, and executive communications platforms.
Develop compelling storytelling initiatives that communicate the benefits and progress of regional rail.
Manage editorial planning, messaging consistency, and integrated communications campaigns.
Oversee internal communications that strengthen organizational alignment and employee engagement.
Support organizational change communications associated with major initiatives and transformation efforts.

Public Affairs & Media Relations

Partner with Public Affairs to coordinate strategic communications initiatives.
Support executive communications, Board communications, and stakeholder engagement activities.
Help position VRE leadership as thought leaders in transportation and regional mobility.

Leadership & Team Development

Provide leadership, mentoring, and professional development for marketing staff.
Cultivate a collaborative, customer-focused culture that reflects VRE's values.
Lead cross-functional project teams and coordinate agency and consultant relationships.
Oversee procurement and management of external communications, marketing, research, and creative services vendor.

Measurement & Performance

Establish performance indicators aligned with organizational goals.
Track and report outcomes related to brand awareness, ridership growth, stakeholder engagement, media coverage, digital performance, and customer engagement.
Utilize research, analytics, and performance data to inform communications strategy and continuous improvement.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required Knowledge

Knowledge of strategic marketing, brand management, and integrated communications planning.
Knowledge of public relations, media relations, and reputation management principles.
Knowledge of digital communications, website governance, content strategy, SEO, social media platforms, and digital advertising.
Knowledge of market research methodologies, audience segmentation, and data-driven marketing practices.
Knowledge of stakeholder engagement, public outreach, and community relations strategies.
Knowledge of organizational change communications and employee engagement practices.
Knowledge of communications performance measurement, analytics, and reporting frameworks.
Knowledge of transportation, public sector, infrastructure, or regional planning communications is preferred.
Knowledge of accessibility standards, inclusive communications practices, and customer experience principles.
Knowledge of executive communications and Board-level communications support.

Required Skills

Exceptional written, editing, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex issues for diverse audiences.
Strategic planning and execution skills with the ability to align communications initiatives with organizational goals.
Leadership and team management skills, including coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing staff.
Brand development and storytelling skills that support awareness, engagement, and organizational reputation.
Digital marketing skills, including campaign development, social media management, audience targeting, and performance optimization.
Project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, vendors, and cross-functional initiatives simultaneously.
Public speaking and presentation skills suitable for executive, Board, community, media, and stakeholder audiences.
Relationship-building and collaboration skills to work effectively across departments and with external partners.
Research and analytical skills to assess market trends, audience behaviors, communications effectiveness, and campaign performance.
Crisis and issues management skills, including the ability to develop timely and effective communications responses.

Required Abilities

Ability to serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Executive Leadership Team on communications and reputation matters.
Ability to develop and implement comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that support long-term organizational transformation.
Ability to lead integrated communications efforts across marketing, public affairs, community engagement, and operational communications functions.
Ability to communicate complex transportation, policy, infrastructure, and organizational initiatives in a clear, compelling, and audience-focused manner.
Ability to build consensus and foster collaboration among diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to analyze data and research findings and translate insights into actionable communications strategies.
Ability to manage organizational change communications and support large-scale strategic initiatives.
Ability to represent the organization effectively in public, media, community, and professional settings.
Ability to establish measurable performance standards and evaluate program effectiveness.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and respond effectively in high-profile or sensitive situations.
Ability to maintain a customer-focused, collaborative, and innovative communications culture while advancing VRE's regional rail vision.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications & Experience

Minimum

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public affairs, public relations, or related fields.
Minimum of 5 years of senior leadership experience managing communications and marketing functions.
Demonstrated experience developing integrated communications and marketing strategies.
Strong understanding of digital marketing, brand management, media relations, and stakeholder engagement.
Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Experience advising executive leadership and navigating complex public-sector or regulated environments.

Preferred

Master's degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.
Experience with transportation, transit, infrastructure, government, economic development, or regional planning organizations.
Experience leading organizational transformation or large-scale public engagement initiatives.
Familiarity with market research, accessibility standards, and communications performance measurement.

Additional Requirements

Must possess a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and always maintain a safe driving record during employment with VRE
Ability to work the flexible hours demanded by a transit operation environment

Working Conditions/Environment

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 20 pounds of force; work frequently sitting, speaking, or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing, or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, and pushing or pulling
Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
Work occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions
Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic)

VRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Click here to learn more!

-To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The essential duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

-The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbent(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

-VRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. VRE is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

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