Deputy Chief, Marketing and Communications

Summary
The first review of applications will begin on December 29, 2025.
Note to Applicants: If you use your resume to auto-fill the application, please upload it separately when prompted; auto-filled resumes are not retained.
A resume is required for full consideration.
Join Valley Metro as Deputy Chief, Marketing and Communications, serving as a lead strategist for the awareness, reach, and brand identity of the Valley Metro organization, regional transit service, and the broader value of Valley Metro as an integral public service. Reporting to the Chief, Marketing and Communications, you will plan and direct marketing, public relations, media relations, crisis management, and digital/social engagement strategies that aim to generate ridership and strong rider satisfaction, elevate positive brand recognition, and widen our reach in our local communities and on the regional and national stage.
This position supports and leads the Marketing and Communications Departments, who set the agency's tone and messaging, tell our story, expand our reach, and influence our public image and the everyday rider experience.
Every team member contributes to our mission of Connecting Communities | Enhancing Lives, with this position being critical to the development and collaboration within their teams and the wider Valley Metro organization, working with internal and external partners to promote our service and image.
Valley Metro is a Drug-Free Workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a related field. Directly related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Ten (10) years of experience directing, planning, overseeing marketing and/or communications programs, including five (5) years at the management and supervisory level.
• Strong marketing and media expertise, with a preference of a strong command of the metro Phoenix market and/or supporting a capital and/or operating environment.
• Exceptional written, presentation and verbal communication skills that can be applied across levels.
• Excellent and demonstrated judgment and diplomacy in working with diverse groups to communicate and market agency initiatives and programs.
  

Background Investigation
Employment is contingent upon the results of a background check.
Valid Arizona driver's license and safe driving record.
Human Resources reserves the right to call only the most qualified applicants to the selection process
Examples Of Duties / Knowledge & Skills
The statements listed below describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

• Oversees all communications and marketing functions within the Valley Metro organization, guiding how Valley Metro communicates and expands our awareness with riders, potential riders and other, key target markets.
• Develops agency messaging, tone and priorities for internal and external audiences alongside the Board, CEO and Chief and in collaboration with division heads and city partners.
• Works to deliver on the agency Strategic Plan specifically within the goal areas of Rider Experience and Stakeholder Collaboration and in support of other agencywide goals and priorities.
• Develops agency brand, marketing, and communication campaigns and programs to drive ridership, awareness and brand storytelling in alignment with community, national and industry trends and best practices.
• Guides and supports the agency's media outreach and engagement strategy to generate positive and supportive earned media and PR through effective and creative working relationships and outcomes with our local, regional and national media outlets as well as other storytellers, influencers and partners.
• Develops quantifiable measures to track and report on outcomes from marketing and communications efforts; shares reporting internally and externally for buy-in, feedback and transparency.
• Establishes marketing partnerships and targeted marketing strategies to help reach agency goals, expand our reach and strengthen our brand position within the community.
• Facilitates city and internal/external stakeholder relationships to work effectively across teams and help bring about regional consensus and support for marketing and communications initiatives.
• Builds short and long-term marketing, messaging and programming plans to support and expand upon our agency's mission, goals and long-term organizational strategy.
• Supervises, coaches, and builds teams.
• Supports employee development and engagement through goal setting, succession planning and training; conducts workforce planning to meet short and long-term goals.
• Manages vendor relationships to augment the team and help reach agency goals.
• Helps to develop and manage the Marketing and Communications Departments' annual budgets, providing oversight, forecasting and business strategy.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
  

Knowledge & Skills

• Principles and practices of creative marketing and communications strategy development.
• Marketing, media and public relations, and communications best practices.
• Budget management.
• Principles and practices of governmental organization and administration, intergovernmental and community relations; procedure development and strategic planning.
• Principles in project management practices and techniques; contractor/consultant management.
• Local, regional, state, and federal agencies, groups and organizations involved in transportation.
• Market research and analysis.
• Effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills and principles.
• Strong work ethic, discreet with excellent judgment.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and decision-making skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to work well under pressure and with a high level of motivation.
• Principles and practices of employee development and supervision.
  

Expectations/Abilities To

• Serve as an industry and local marketing expert who fosters and maintains effective working relationships with Valley Metro member communities, Boards of Directors, media and marketing providers and partners, and the public.
• Superior writer and strategic thinker with the capacity to manage emerging news, build brand recognition, and deliver results.
• Ability to process information quickly, communicate complex issues, breaking them down to simple terms that are easily understood.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships across divisions and departments, facilitating effective internal communication strategy development and execution.
• Manage a diverse group of professionals in a dynamic environment.
• Understand and adapt to the ever-changing political, community, and national landscape.
• Provide senior advisor consultation and support to executive and senior management.
• Exercise good judgment in structuring and organizing work and setting priorities.
• Readily re-adjust priorities to respond to current and evolving agency needs.
• Ability to work irregular hours (nights & weekends) and adapt to changing schedules.
• Excellent judgment and diplomacy in working with diverse groups to address complex issues.
• Resolving conflicts, problem-solving, and encouraging partnerships and collaboration.
  

Physical Demands / Work Environment
Physical Demands
Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment, and to drive a motor vehicle in order to visit work sites and attend meetings; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.
Work Environment
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.