About the Role:
Under the administrative direction of the Division Chief, the Marketing and Communications Manager plans, leads, and evaluates Cherriots marketing, communications, and brand activities in support of ridership growth, public trust, and community engagement. The role manages a small team of marketing professionals and vendors and oversees all channels, including website, social media, digital and print, public
Relations, and campaign initiatives. The position requires excellent people leadership, strong judgment, and a hands-on approach to both creative and operational work.
Duties:
- Lead Cherriots communications and marketing plan; set goals, audiences, messages, timelines, and KPIs; report results and recommendations.
- Own the Cherriots digital presence: social media strategy, calendar, moderation standards, and escalation; monitor conversations and measure performance.
- Serve as business owner for the website and microsites, including content governance, usability, analytics, search engine optimization (SEO), and accessibility compliance; coordinate improvements with IT and vendors.
- Plan, write, and edit clear, accessible content for press, web, social, email, print, video, and internal communications; safeguard brand standards across all channels.
- Design and deliver integrated campaigns and outreach for service changes and initiatives; translate objectives into creative briefs, manage calendars, and evaluate performance.
- Lead media relations: draft press releases, fact sheets, and talking points; prepare executives for interviews and public meetings.
- Manage budgets, procurement, and vendors: develop scopes/specs, obtain quotes, negotiate contracts, track spend, and analyze cost-effectiveness in line with policy.
- Build partnerships with cities, agencies, businesses, and community groups; coordinate legislative and intergovernmental communications as assigned.
- Prepare and deliver concise briefings and presentations to the Board, executives, committees, and community on campaigns, contracts, research, and results.
- Negotiate marketing partnerships and sponsorships that extend reach and brand visibility.
- Lead cross-functional project teams and supervise assigned staff; set goals, assign work, coach performance, and reinforce a high-quality, on-time workflow.
- Serves as agency spokesperson and Public Information Officer when assigned, providing clear, timely information to media and the public, including during incidents and emergencies.
- The ability to consistently adhere to a defined work schedule and be present onsite is crucial to the successful performance of this role's job duties and responsibilities because the essential duties of this role require reliable presence for planned or unplanned in-person meetings, and other interactions necessary to operate efficiently, including the communication of assignments to and from managers, and other day-to-day activities to serve internal and public access needs.
- Performs additional duties as assigned.
What You Will Need to Be Successful in This Role:
- Principles and practices of marketing, communications, public relations, and public information for a government or public service environment.
- Digital and social strategy, content planning, publishing, moderation, and analytics.
- Media relations, spokesperson skills, press release development, and executive prep.
- Website governance, accessibility, SEO, analytics, and content management
- system administration.
- Plain-language writing and editing for diverse audiences; understanding of Title VI, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and public records as they apply to communications.
- Project and vendor management, budgeting, and data-informed decision-making.
- Effective leadership, coaching, delegation, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Project management, including scoping, schedules, budgets, and quality assurance.
- Effective leadership, coaching, delegation, and performance management.
- Confident public speaking and ability to brief executive leaders with clear recommendations.
- Model Cherriots values, build trust, and work across divisions with tact and discretion.
- Considerable skill in operating a personal computer using word processing, spreadsheet, and database software applications.
- Perform job functions safely.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Journalism, Business Administration, Public Relations, or a related field.
- Five (5) years of experience in marketing or a related field; Public Sector employment is a plus.
- Demonstrated experience owning organizational social media and managing a website or large content platform.
- Experience with community engagement and outreach programs.
- Bilingual or multilingual skills are a plus.
- Candidates with any satisfactory combination of related experience and training that equips them with the required knowledge, abilities, and skills for this position are encouraged to apply. Cherriots reserves the right to determine the equivalencies of education and experience.
Special Requirements:
- Must present Cherriots with a valid Oregon driver’s license and maintain a driving record that demonstrates adherence to safety and traffic laws and regulations.
- Successfully pass a background check and an education verification if applicable.
Physical Requirements
- Requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking.
- Must be able to operate a computer, keyboard, tools, equipment, and other
- devices necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, including frequent keyboarding and data entry.
- Must be able to prepare, review, and interpret information presented in electronic and printed formats.
- Must be able to effectively communicate and accurately exchange information with coworkers, customers, and the public using verbal, written, and electronic communication methods.
- Occasionally lifts, carries, pushes, or pulls items weighing up to 30 pounds.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Working Conditions
- Work will be both indoors and outdoors; on occasion, there is direct exposure to adverse weather conditions.
- Exposure to the general public and large groups.
- Must travel occasionally to attend meetings and conferences.
- Must travel frequently in the local area to perform duties of the position.
Why Work at Cherriots?
Cherriots is the public transit provider serving Marion and Polk counties. Every day, we connect people to work, school, healthcare, shopping, and the places that matter most through local, regional, and paratransit services. Our employees play a vital role in keeping our community moving by providing safe, reliable transportation that people can depend on.
Cherriots is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected. We believe a diverse workforce strengthens our organization and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
A career at Cherriots offers more than a paycheck. We provide competitive pay, excellent benefits, and the stability of public-sector employment. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to grow, you'll find opportunities to develop your skills, advance within the organization, and make a meaningful impact on the community.
Pay: $111,928.33 - $159,583.05 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- This role requires working onsite Monday–Friday during regular daytime hours. Remote work is not available. Are you able to meet these requirements?
Education:
Experience:
- marketing or related field: 4 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
