📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Marketing and Communications
🔹 Company: City of Charlotte
🔹 Location: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, Charlotte, NC
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications
🔹 Date Posted: April 17, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing high-performing marketing and communications plans to achieve higher transit ridership levels.
- Leading and empowering a high-performing marketing and communications team.
- Directing and setting departmental communication, media, and marketing plans and procedures.
- Managing the department's annual budget and ensuring compliance with government standards under the ADA and Title VI for Limited English Proficiency.
- Engaging customers and ensuring consistency and clarity of external communications messaging across CATS channels and platforms.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute high-performing marketing and communications plans to achieve higher transit ridership levels.
✅ Lead and empower a high-performing, innovative marketing and communications team.
✅ Direct and set departmental communication, media, and marketing plans and procedures to achieve goals and objectives.
✅ Manage the department's annual budget, ensuring compliance with government standards under the ADA and Title VI for Limited English Proficiency.
✅ Engage customers and ensure consistency and clarity of external communications messaging across CATS channels and platforms.
✅ Represent CATS as the primary spokesperson, attending external events and activities, and conducting presentations to internal and external audiences.
✅ Stay abreast of changing procedures, innovations, and emerging technologies pertaining to marketing and communications.
✅ Prepare and deliver presentations to diverse audiences, including CATS staff, the public, the MTC, other elected officials, and local and state agencies.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves frequent collaboration with various stakeholders, including internal staff, external agencies, community groups, and the general public.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a closely related field.
Experience: A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position's essential functions. CATS reserves the right to determine the equivalences of education and experience.
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in marketing, public relations, journalism, communications, community relations, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated supervisory experience.
- Advanced skills in approaches and systems that affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization-wide.
- Advanced business correspondence, media communication, and report writing techniques.
- Budget and contract preparation and administration.
Preferred Skills:
- Master's degree in a relevant field.
- Experience in the public transportation industry.
- Bilingual or multilingual proficiency.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a Master's degree and relevant experience in the public transportation industry may be given preference.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $114,225.74 - $142,782.18 commensurate with experience
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee assistance program
Working Hours: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST), with the possibility of working long and/or non-traditional hours as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the information given in the job listing. However, it is recommended to verify the salary range with the employer during the application process.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Government Administration, specifically public transportation
Company Size: Large (5,001-10,000 employees)
Founded: The City of Charlotte was founded in 1768 and has been serving the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region for over 250 years.
Company Description:
- The City of Charlotte provides services to more than 870,000 residents, with a focus on economic development, neighborhood development, transportation and planning, and well-managed government.
- The City of Charlotte is committed to making the job application process accessible to all, providing reasonable accommodations, language access, and other modifications upon request.
Company Specialties:
- Public transportation
- Urban planning and development
- Community engagement and outreach
- Government administration and management
Company Website: www.charlottenc.gov
ASSUMPTION: The City of Charlotte is a large municipal government with a wide range of responsibilities, requiring a diverse set of skills and expertise from its employees.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Executive Leadership Team and works closely with the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC).
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the possibility of working long and/or non-traditional hours as needed.
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a senior leadership role within the City of Charlotte or the public transportation industry.
- Expanding skills and expertise in marketing, communications, and public relations.
- Gaining experience in government administration and management.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the City of Charlotte and the public transportation industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Government office building
Office Location(s): Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, Charlotte, NC
Geographic Context:
- Charlotte is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a population of over 870,000 residents.
- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg region is known for its diverse economy, with significant contributions from the finance, energy, and healthcare sectors.
- The region is also home to several major universities and colleges, including the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST), with the possibility of working long and/or non-traditional hours as needed.
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is dynamic and fast-paced, with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with a panel of CATS staff members
- Background check and reference check
- Final offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing and communications strategy development
- Budget management and allocation
- Team leadership and management
- Customer engagement and satisfaction
- Presentation and public speaking skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experience, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Research the City of Charlotte and CATS to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with marketing and communications strategies, budget management, and team leadership.
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Community Relations, Media Relations, Budget Management, Team Leadership, Strategic Planning, Event Coordination, Social Media Management, Market Research, Customer Engagement, Brand Management, Advertising, Report Writing, Presentation Skills, Government Administration, Public Transportation
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role may take several weeks, and communication from the City of Charlotte may be infrequent. Applicants are encouraged to follow up on their application status if they have not heard back within a reasonable timeframe.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in the listed tools and technologies is preferred but not required. The City of Charlotte may provide training and resources to help employees develop the necessary skills.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Respect
- Excellence
- Collaboration
Work Style:
- Results-driven
- Team-oriented
- Adaptable
- Innovative
- Customer-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
- Are you comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously?
- Do you have strong communication and presentation skills?
- Are you able to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including internal staff, external agencies, community groups, and the general public?
- Do you have a strategic mindset and the ability to develop and execute marketing and communications plans?
ASSUMPTION: The City of Charlotte values employees who are results-driven, team-oriented, adaptable, innovative, and customer-focused. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their fit with these values and work style preferences during the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working long and/or non-traditional hours as needed.
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Navigating a large, complex organization with a wide range of responsibilities.
- Dealing with the public and managing public relations in a high-profile role.
- Adapting to changes in government policies, procedures, and regulations.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong time management, organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other marketing and communications director positions in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private corporations.
- However, this role is unique in its focus on public transportation and its responsibility for managing the marketing and communications efforts of a large government agency.
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to senior leadership roles within the City of Charlotte or the public transportation industry.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should consider their long-term career goals and how this role fits into their overall career development plan.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a marketing campaign to increase transit ridership during a major event or special promotion.
- Managing a team to create and distribute a comprehensive annual report highlighting CATS' achievements, challenges, and future plans.
- Collaborating with other departments to create and implement a comprehensive customer engagement strategy that improves customer satisfaction and loyalty.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic, collaborative, and innovative nature of the marketing and communications efforts required for this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most significant challenges facing CATS in the next 1-3 years, and how can this role help address them?
- How does this role collaborate with other departments and external agencies to achieve CATS' goals and objectives?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the City of Charlotte and the public transportation industry?
- How does the City of Charlotte support work-life balance for its employees?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30-60-90 days?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the applicant's interest in the role, the organization, and their long-term career goals.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the following link: https://charlottenc.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com/citgov/job/Charlotte-Mecklenburg-Government-Center/Director-of-Marketing-and-Communications_JR101708
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, including your ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and develop and execute marketing and communications plans.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, leadership experience, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Research the City of Charlotte and CATS to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its mission.
- Follow up on your application status if you have not heard back within a reasonable timeframe.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
