Deputy Spokesperson

Description:

Under the direction of the Media Relations Manager & Chief Spokesperson within the Chief of Staff & External Affairs Division, the Deputy Spokesperson serves as an integral communications representative for the SFMTA. The position manages a high volume of complex and high-profile communications and reputational issues, coordinating messaging across the agency. The Deputy Spokesperson is a key point of contact for the media, providing timely and accurate information both in proactive and reactive opportunities to include updates on daily operations, policy changes, and critical incidents. This individual plays a critical role in advancing the SFMTA’s mission while providing transparency and strengthening public trust and informing and educating the public on SFMTA projects and services.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Acts as the agency’s voice while promoting SFMTA activities and responding to real-time news inquiries via television, radio, and written statement interviews.
• Responds to daily inquiries from local and national media, drafts press releases and talking points and organizes press conferences.
• Identifies potential news stories to clearly communicate achievements.
• Assists in developing coordinated campaigns to educate the public on safety, operational efficiency and financial updates and transportation policies.
• Serves as an on-call representative for late-breaking news or transit emergencies, providing live updates to the public and media partners as needed.
• Conceptualizes impactful, data-driven, and compelling communications collateral including messages, talking points, social media posts, video scripts, and speeches.
• Identifies emerging topics and leads the development and execution of proactive communication plans.
• Advises and counsels the Communications Director as well as executive and senior management on media and audience strategies.
• Uses data to evaluate, adjust and target communications.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.