LOSSAN Marketing & Communications Manager

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency:

The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor is a joint powers authority that works to increase ridership, revenue, capacity, reliability, coordination and safety on the coastal rail line between San Diego, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. The LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States with 24 daily trains and annual ridership of nearly 3 million. The LOSSAN Agency is staffed by the Orange County Transportation Authority.

Overview:

Under general direction, manages and directs marketing and customer communications activities to support the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail service in the United States.  Provides oversight of LOSSAN Agency marketing section, which is responsible for digital marketing, creative services, and website development, from planning through implementation, including market research, graphic design, print and digital advertising, media buying, email marketing, customer communication, and social media.  Responsible for increasing brand awareness, positive perception, trial usage and customer retention on the Pacific Surfliner intercity rail service utilizing innovative and cost-effective marketing programs and strategies.

This is an exempt position in Salary Grade ­­220: Min $110,178.00 – Mid $132,214.00 – Max $154,250.00 annually. The starting salary will be within this range based on qualifications.

The posting will remain open until filled. 

Responsibilities:

This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to this job.

Displays High Integrity & Honesty: Takes personal responsibility, acts with honesty and consistency.

Has Technical and Professional Expertise: Has the technical skills, product knowledge and professional skills to do the job.

• Oversees market research studies, both qualitative and quantitative, to assess service performance and customer satisfaction to effectively plan targeted marketing initiatives, partnerships, and fare promotions.
• Develops and manages an annual marketing work plan and budget; prepares budget reports and correspondence.
• Oversees the tracking, assessment, and reporting of marketing program effectiveness; provides insights and recommends strategic improvements.
• Oversees onboard café car food and beverage offerings, with the goal of maximizing revenue and maintaining customer satisfaction.

Communicates Powerfully & Prolifically: Shares insights on issues/problems, clarifies purpose and links that purpose to actions.

• Directs a team that develops and implements unique, creative, brand-building strategies that communicate a compelling value proposition for the Pacific Surfliner service.
• Manages internal staff and third-party vendors; assigns work, monitors performance, offers technical expertise, and ensures the accuracy and timeliness of all deliverables.  Provides regular coaching, feedback, and guidance.
• Communicates effectively with both internal and external stakeholders and works as part of a multi-functional team. Provides Board, committee and official LOSSAN Agency media communications as needed. 

Customer & External Focus: Markets his/her workgroup effectively and influences others in the organization.

• Directs staff that oversees special events, partnerships, and promotions, in coordination with LOSSAN member agencies, Amtrak, and other public and private stakeholders.
• Utilizes appropriate tools and systems to communicate, measure, and optimize marketing program performance and return on investment; develops and presents regular marketing updates to the LOSSAN Board of Directors, executive staff, and external audiences.
• Directs content development, including website, email, blog, video, and social network participation using cutting-edge technology to foster community building and customer acquisition.

Develops Strategic Perspective: Knows how immediate work relates to organizational strategy, translates into actionable steps.

• Develops strategic marketing plans and directs the effective implementation of marketing and communications programs.
• Develops and leads implementation of the strategic vision for the Pacific Surfliner’s traditional and digital communications programs, which incorporates customer information, service updates, promotions, and customer relationship building.
• Oversees media planning for traditional and digital advertising efforts, including identifying actionable opportunities and best practices to improve campaign performance; synthesizes data from various sources to provide strategic insights, implications, and predict outcomes.
• Manages vendor selection and provides overall direction for creative services, videography, website development, digital marketing, and other professional service contracts as necessary in compliance with applicable Board-approved policies; oversees financial responsibility for projects.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, or a related field, with a minimum of five years of experience in marketing and/or communications, three years of which are at a senior or supervisory level.  A broad array of experience managing print and digital marketing programs, including website development and optimization, social media, email marketing, search marketing, display advertising, and directing the creating of digital and print marketing materials is desired.

Working Conditions/Physical Activities:

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions).

Positions in this class typically require:

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Reaching, Finger Dexterity, Grasping, Feeling, Talking, Hearing, Seeing, and Repetitive Motions in computer use.

Compensation and Benefits:

OCTA offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision health insurance programs, flex time (may be available), paid sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement, deferred compensation plan, educational reimbursement, excellent in-house training programs, free transportation passes for the employee and dependents, wellness and ergonomic programs, and much more.

OCTA is an equal employment opportunity employer that recruits, hires, and promotes qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, disability, genetic information, military and veteran status, or other legally protected status.