Program Manager-Social Media

Salary range is $78k to $170k, with a midpoint of $118k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, the Social Media Program Manager leads Sound Transit's social media program to inform, engage, and connect with customers and interest holders. This position is responsible for working with the Marketing Director and content creators to develop and implement content strategy, marketing campaigns, and engagement tactics that support agency goals including ridership growth, brand awareness, and public trust. The Social Media Program Manager works cross-functionally with internal teams, leads strategic initiatives, advises on blog content, and provides expertise in social media trends, workflows, tools, and analytics. This role communicates directly with the public on social media channels and serves as a strategic advisor within the Communications, Marketing & Engagement department and other internal partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Oversees agency's social media program, including but not limited to Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and Blue Sky; works with content team to establish and manage program goals and objectives.
• Develops short and long-term program plans, monitors and reports on progress and manages program goals and objectives; implements and manages change and interventions to ensure program goals are achieved.
• Develops social media strategy aligned with business objectives, brand standards, and public engagement goals.
• Participates in interdepartmental project teams and helps align social media activity with business objectives.
• Acts as community manager by monitoring and responding on social media channels; tracks public sentiment, identifies emerging issues, and responds in real-time to questions and concerns.
• Leads cross-departmental social media community management team and proposes and sets performance standards for engagement; collaborates with Passenger Care and Public Engagement staff to enhance reach and coordination across platforms.
• Develops and executes paid social media strategies to support marketing campaigns and agency initiatives; plans and places targeted social media buys across platforms such as Meta, LinkedIn, and X to maximize reach, engagement, and campaign effectiveness.
• Works with content team to develop editorial calendars and curate content for social channels and to create and publish posts with clear, audience-specific messaging; ensures tone and voice are consistent with brand guidelines.
• Extracts insights using analytics tools and platforms to assess campaign performance, audience behavior, and trends.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and recommendations based on data and digital performance metrics.
• Identifies new and emerging platforms, tools, and tactics to enhance the agency's digital presence; maintains new development awareness in the industry; develops and maintains evaluation methods to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement including tools, systems, processes, and resourcing needs.
• Contributes to interdepartmental projects, providing expert guidance on integrating social media strategy into broader marketing and communications plans.
• May represent Sound Transit for intra-agency initiatives; manage budgets, contracts, and the work of consultants.
• Maintains social media governance documentation, standard operating procedures, and emergency response protocols; Creates and maintains new program documentation as needed.
• Advises leadership on strategic communications opportunities through social media and acts as a thought partner across departments.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field. Five years of progressive experience in communications, digital marketing, or public relations, with a strong focus on social media strategy, engagement, and content development; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working in public sector, transportation, or complex, high-visibility organizations is preferred. Prior experience in a team lead or project lead role is a plus, but this role does not include people management.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Expert-level knowledge of social media platforms, engagement tactics, and digital storytelling.
• Strong writing, editing, and content development skills for multiple formats and audiences.
• Familiarity with performance analytics tools (e.g. Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Meta Insights, LinkedIn Analytics, Google Analytics) and methodologies.
• Knowledge of paid social media advertising, including campaign planning, audience targeting, platform-specific ad tools (e.g., Meta Ads Manager, LinkedIn Campaign Manager), performance tracking, and optimization strategies.
• Ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
• Strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.
• Experience working cross-functionally and influencing without direct authority.
• Strong understanding of brand voice, reputation management, and customer service on digital platforms.
• Senior-level program and project management including ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and organizing work to meet challenging priorities and deadlines.
• Knowledge of accessibility best practices and inclusive communications principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 suite and collaboration tools (Teams, SharePoint, etc.).

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and remote work environment with occasional travel to field locations or events.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position may require occasional on-call availability during major service disruptions or public relations incidents.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.