Chief of External Affairs Officer

Non-Represented Employment Opportunity
To apply for this exciting career opportunity, please visit norta.com/jobs

This bulletin is posted to establish or add to a qualified list of candidates
This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority.
This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
The Regional Transit Authority gets people moving around New Orleans. Our transit services bring hard-working commuters to their jobs, students to their schools, and fun seekers to entertainment, shopping areas, and restaurants. We provide mobility to residents of the city as well as tourists, taking them to and from their hotels to historical neighborhoods and countless attractions. RTA's system includes 5 streetcar lines, 30 bus routes, 2 ferry routes, and paratransit services. Our passengers take more than 19 million rides every year.
REPORTS TO:
Chief Executive Officer
TITLES OF POSITIONS REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THIS JOB:
Manager/Director Customer Service
Director of Communications
Director of Marketing
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads, mentors, and manages a team of professionals within the External Affairs department.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for marketing and communications support contracts.
• Collaborates with internal departments to align External Affairs strategies with broader organizational goals.
• Recruits, interviews, hires, and appraises employees (performance evaluations) on their productivity.
• Delegates and oversees the daily workflow of the department.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of RTA are carried out.

JOB SUMMARY
The Chief of External Affairs is a high-level executive management position involving the management of Customer Service, Communications, and Marketing. This position plays a pivotal role in managing and fostering relationships with external stakeholders to advance the organization's goals, reputation, and strategic objectives. This individual serves as a key spokesperson and ambassador for the organization, representing its interests and values to the public and various stakeholders. The position shall have extensive latitude and utilization of independent judgment and actions within RTA's guidelines.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions upon request

• Strategy Development:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive External Affairs strategies aligned with the organization's objectives.
  • Identify opportunities for engagement and partnerships that support the organization's mission and goals.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management:
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, policymakers, community leaders, media outlets, industry partners, and other key stakeholders.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for external inquiries, fostering positive relationships and managing potential issues or conflicts.
• Communications and Community Relations:
  • Develop and implement communication plans to effectively convey the organization's messages to external audiences.
  • Oversee media relations, press releases, and public statements to ensure consistent and accurate messaging.
• Advocacy and Public Policy:
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory issues relevant to the organization's interests.
  • Advocate for the organization's positions on public policy matters and engage in advocacy efforts when necessary.
• Marketing and Brand Development:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive marketing strategies aligned with business goals.
  • Oversee brand positioning, messaging, and ensure consistency across all marketing channels.
  • Identify market trends, customer needs, and competitive analysis to drive marketing initiatives.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Performs other job-related duties which are in keeping with the goals and objectives of RTA.

OTHER DUTIES
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree or Master's degree in Marketing, Management, Public Administration, or Business Administration experience desired.
• Five (5) to nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in supervisory management, in the area of Public/Intergovernmental Affairs, Civil Rights, Human Resources, Policy/Strategic Planning, Administrative Services, Schedules, and Route Development, and Sales/Marketing with a multi-division transit system or similar organization.
• Supervisory experience understanding of processes and methods to be used to oversee and organize the work of others, systems, principles, technology, equipment, and materials to be used as well as the levels of proficiencies needed to perform complex professional, technical, and administrative work.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS/DEMANDS
A valid Louisiana Driver's License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Must submit to a criminal background check the results of which must meet hiring criteria for the role.

Must provide proof of being fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine before the start date.

This position has been deemed essential and will serve, when activated, as a policy advisor to the RTA's All Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS). Successful completion of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Incident Command System (ICS) training (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800) is required within 60 days of hire.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift to 15 pounds at times. Normal office environment KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Possess good communication skills orally and in writing.
• Must possess good human relations skills.
• Must possess strong organizational skills.
• Must be able to train, supervise, and evaluate subordinates
• Must be able to analyze problems and present recommendations.
• Must be able to delegate activities to subordinates.
• Ability to demonstrate a fiduciary obligation to RTA.
• Must read, write and speak English

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EEO STATEMENT
NORTA is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions are based on job-related standards and must comply with the principles of equal employment opportunity.Employment Type: Full Time