Sr Manager, Public Relations

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position plays a key role in supporting Amtrak’s Corporate Communications mission to develop, coordinate, implement and manage effective public relations campaigns. This position is part of Amtrak’s Public Relations team and proactively advances Amtrak’s corporate goals, business priorities, and goodwill among key stakeholders.

Under the guidance from Communications department leadership, this position is responsible for the strategic development, coordination, and execution of companywide communications plans across multiple channels. The individual will perform strategic planning, crisis communications work, conduct media relations, and serve as a corporate spokesperson.

This individual is expected to partner and collaborate effectively with management and employees at all levels of Amtrak to develop and execute a clearly defined strategy that meets the needs of targeted stakeholders while maintaining consistency of the Amtrak message. The position is responsible for working with internal and external groups to produce a variety of written, visual and digital content for our earned, shared and owned channels. The individual must live Amtrak’s Core Values and business behaviors, as well as write and plan effectively, exhibit keen attention to detail, think and act proactively, and drive continual improvement in Amtrak’s communications effectiveness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops, coordinates and executes strategic communications plans that infuse smart, creative, and measurable tactics that promote Amtrak’s products, services and business goals with earned and shared coverage, and consistently communicated on owned Amtrak channels.
• Researches, writes, coordinates and releases a variety of written content including news releases, service alerts, statements, employee messages, communication protocols, social media communications, media prep material, articles and executive talking points.
• As part of the developed communication strategies, coordinates with internal and external partners to create compelling visual and digital content to support campaigns and create consistent companywide messaging.
• Conducts media relations activities and serves as company spokesperson. Develops and maintains effective relationships with editors/reporters from regional, local and trade media. Identifies and secures promotional and interview opportunities. Stages media and other events.
• Facilitates integration of the public relations plans throughout the organization and manages the plan’s execution, monitors and assesses media coverage, and produces comprehensive and timely reports for management.
• Provides leadership for staff to execute and deliver strategic communications plans.
• Maintains a high level of knowledge about the business and operational issues.
• Actively participates in crisis communications preparation, planning, training, exercises, and actual crisis events.
• Identifies public relations best practices and make recommendations to enhance Amtrak’s reputation.
• Continually improves upon process that measures the success and impact of public relations programs on the organization.
• Demonstrates a deep understanding of the principles of public relations and stay abreast of trends in order to effectively incorporate into plans.
• Collaborates within the department and across corporate functions.
• Supports other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism English, public relations, communications or related field plus 10+ years recent experience in any combination of: media relations, journalism, corporate communications, public relations and/or public affairs.
• Demonstrated results generating proactive public relations.
• Experience in performing crisis communication work.
• Media relations and spokesperson experience.
• Experience using social media to secure media coverage.
• Knowledge of effective media relations and communications best practices.
• Excellent written, editing and verbal communications skills.
• Strong ability to transform complicated subject matter and diverse source material into coherent, engaging, and accurate communications for a variety of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and collaboration proficiency.
• Ability to work and thrive in a deadline-driven, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work and manage on multiple projects simultaneously and provide ongoing metrics on activities.
• Demonstrated proficiency with AP style.
• Ability to perform effectively and calmly during high pressure situations and crisis events.
• Knowledge of effective media relations and public relations best practices.
• Strong ability to transform complicated subject matter and diverse source material into coherent, engaging, and accurate communications for a variety of audiences.
• Project management experience.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Travel up to 20 percent.
• Demonstrated skill in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and social media tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Past experience managing small teams.
• Graduate degree in journalism, English, public relations, communications or related field.
• Public Relations agency experience
• Background in transportation, passenger rail/transit or the service sector.
• Accredited in Public Relations (APR) or Business Communicator (ABC).

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Demands:

• Frequently uses a computer keyboard, monitor, and mouse to perform a variety of tasks.
• Frequently sits, stands, or walks; may lift, carry, push, or pull objects of various weights; may reach, kneel, crouch, bend, or twist in order to in order to perform administrative tasks (e.g., filing, retrieving materials from desks and bookcases, moving in an office setting).

Mental Demands:

• Constantly communicates, comprehends, and responds to statements and instructions both verbally and in writing.
• Frequently acquires new knowledge, skills, and tasks, both complex and simple, in order to maintain effectiveness in position.
• Frequently resolves problems with conflicting priorities in cognitively demanding situations.
• Frequently reads and analyzes hard copy and or computer screen material and writes reports as appropriate.
• Conducts in person and/or telephone dialogues as appropriate in order to manage and conduct the flow of work.

Working Conditions:

• Occasionally works long hours and is required to be on-call and available on an emergency basis. Performs after-hours duty on a rotating basis to handle media inquiries during evenings, weekends and holidays, and is to be available when needed to deploy to an actual crisis location.
• Constantly works in a fast-paced, time sensitive environment with frequently changing priorities.
• Frequently works in crisis situations requiring fast, long-reaching decisions based on incomplete information/data.
• Frequently handles multiple projects simultaneously.
• Frequently or occasionally travels throughout and outside the region as required (e.g., via airplane, train, automobile). Possible weekend work or travel.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Requisition ID:144581

Posting Location(s):District of Columbia

Job Family/Function:Government Affairs

Relocation Offered:No

Travel Requirements:Up to 25%

Amtrak employees power our progress through their performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job – we want it to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging and rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, competitive pay, benefits that protect you and your family and a high performance culture that recognizes and values your contributions and helps you reach your career goals.

All positions require pre-employment background check verification, a pre-employment drug screen and proof of full vaccination against COVID -19. Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. Marijuana, notwithstanding any statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Candidates who engage in the usage of marijuana will not be qualified for hire. Successful applicants for employment with Amtrak must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the date of hire as a condition of employment, subject to requests for accommodation. Fully vaccinated means 14 days have elapsed since receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 14 days since receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.

POSTING NOTES: Government Affairs || Corporate Jobs