Senior Communications Consultant

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Communications provides strategy and planning; digital user experiences; writing, editing, graphic design, and video production services; facilitates relations with a wide range of news media; provides information content, design and organizational framework for the Metropolitan Council's public-facing website; and maintains an ongoing presence on social media.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Senior Communications Consultant assists in leading the overall development and implementation of communication strategies to meet the ongoing needs of the Metropolitan Council brand, vision, and strategic goals. This position manages and supports the communications needs of departments or divisions with projects that are primarily externally focused and of the highest complexity, require communications consultation and strategy on public policy, or legislative requests.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

• Serve as primary communications strategist and provide consultation, strategic communications recommendations, and support implementation of strategies.
• Lead project management, development and execution of strategic communication plans from concept to distribution including print collateral, publications, reports, online content, and social media.
• Lead and manage the planning of events including establishing clear measurable goals and theme; engaging key stakeholders; delegation of event tactics to ensure appropriate system/brand presence.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and advocate for the inclusion and correct presentation of marketing and informational communications. Help facilitate meetings, planning sessions, and retreats.
• Serve as brand strategist for Met Council management, provide communication recommendations to assist in messaging to key audiences. Provide message refinement, vision setting, and adjustment of style, method, and delivery as needed.
• Research and analyze current and future business needs in order to provide recommendations to meet organizational strategic goals.
• Partner with media relations team to provide content for media stories, prep spokesperson to ensure messaging and delivery aligns with Met Council strategy. Support general media relations activity which may include serving as a point of contact, facilitating meetings with public relations managers, providing key content for press releases, etc.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with external vendors and agencies.
• Establish metrics to measure communication strategies outcomes and conduct organization and communication audits to provide recommendations to enhance communication channels.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Any of the following combinations of completed education (in marketing, communications, English, journalism, or a related field) and experience in a professional communications role, including experience communicating with various audiences:

• Bachelor's degree, or higher, with four years of experience.
• Associate degree with six years of experience.
• High school diploma/GED with eight years of experience.

• Crisis communications knowledge and experience.
• Emergency management communications.
• Experience working directly with and advising organizational leadership.
• Strategic marketing experience.
• Background in audience analytics.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of Agile project management processes.
• Second language proficiency.
• Prior government experience (local, state, federal).
• Experience working with a diverse workforce and diverse communities, and reaching diverse audiences.

• Knowledge of communication strategy including presentations, facilitation and front-facing communications.
• Knowledge of communication metrics and reporting.
• Knowledge of contract management.
• Knowledge of communication trends.
• Knowledge of design, photography and videography.
• Knowledge of crisis communications.
• Skilled in creating and implementing communication strategies.
• Planning and project management skills.
• Communication skills, including the ability to write for various outlets (internal, external, web, emails, newsletters).
• Facilitation skills.
• Persuasion skills.
• Advanced skillset in written and oral communications.
• Ability to communicate with various audiences such as industry representatives, organization management levels including senior executives and department leadership.
• Ability to collaborate with advocacy and other colleagues to ensure consistent messaging.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with the team and external partners.
• Ability to explore alternatives and positions to reach agreements and solutions that gain support and acceptance.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.