Utah Transit Authority
Chief Communications Officer
Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84193
Chief Communications Officer
As UTA’s Chief Communications Officer you will create and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that promotes UTA’s strategic priorities and brings them to life for all UTA stakeholders. Through your leadership UTA will be broadly recognized as a vital partner and expert resource to address Utah’s priorities around air quality, traffic congestion, mobility, travel choices, economic development, and access to education, employment, entertainment, and housing. Your professional connections, personal integrity, and influence across key audiences will underscore UTA’s institutional integrity and reputation. The strategy you implement will unite UTA’s messaging under a common theme to ensure and strengthen consistent brand identity across all platforms (print, broadcast, and digital channels) and position UTA as an employer of choice in the region.
Responsibilities
Provide direction to senior leadership team by bringing together strategic communications and institutional marketing representatives to address Agency-wide initiatives.
In collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees develop, implement, and communicate all communication and marketing strategies, relationship building, and identify opportunities to expand public reach.
Develop internal communication plans that communicate UTA’s vision, corporate culture and strategic plans and initiatives to employees.
Develop and implement the Agency’s corporate brand identity and image, and direct the Agency’s public relations, marketing, media relations, and social media.
Oversee and drive external communications designed to increase public awareness, understanding and support of the Agency’s strategic objectives and priorities.
Set and focus strategic direction for communications and customer facing functions including technology, brand identity, and image.
Direct all outward facing media, and communication initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
Five years’ experience managing communications, public relations, marketing, and customer focus functions, including three years of senior level management experience.
Experience developing relationships with public and private stakeholder groups and government agencies.
Previous experience in creating strategic corporate communications, advertising, and marketing campaigns, and building effective media plans.
Experience working with and directing creative strategy and resources in the areas of content marketing, communications/PR, social media and digital marketing, direct marketing, websites, broadcast, and print collateral.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Community Relations, or closely related field.
Master’s degree in Corporate/Strategic Communications or closely related field preferred but not required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong project management, strategic analysis, and critical thinking skills.
Experienced communicator with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. Political sensitivity and acumen.
Well versed in communications platforms and collaboration tools. Adapt easily to a variety of technology and software programs.
Experience with public transit management issues preferred.
Communications research, processes, planning and program implementation.
Current and emerging technology in communications and marketing to produce and share content for websites, intranet, and/or social media.
Significant brand development, management, and messaging strategies.
Communicate with strong interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral.
Manage, supervise, coach, and evaluate a team of diverse communications professionals.
Develop and retell stories in support of the brand identity.
Shape and control the flow of information to key constituencies.
Sustain positive and open lines of communication with internal and external stakeholders.
Coordinate a variety of high‑profile tasks and responsibilities.
Identify story ideas and shape key messages to generate positive coverage of the Agency.
Create and utilize formal and informal systems for gathering, tracking, and analyzing reliable information.
UTA Competencies
Ability to implement complex business strategies through influence, communication, and internal coordination.
Strategic Mindset – Looking toward the broadest possible view of an issue/challenge; cultivating innovation; anticipating future trends and implications accurately.
Business Acumen – Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the broader issues affecting field of expertise and organization.
Managerial Courage – Standing strong in the face of adversity and taking necessary risk to achieve results.
Change Management – Dealing comfortably with the uncertainty of change. Dealing constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.
Communicates Effectively – Creating an open environment in which thoughts are expressed freely and information flows easily.
Decision Making – Making sound decisions that consider multiple options, seeking input from others, reaching good decisions in a timely manner.
Drives Results – Fostering a strong bottom‑line orientation; accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks; exceeding goals successfully; pushing self and others to achieve results.
An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Benefits
Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, with Flexible Spending and Dependent Care accounts. Choice between Traditional Co‑Pay or High‑Deductible Health Plans for medical coverage. HSA with company match available to employees enrolled in the HDHP. Benefit plans include coverage for domestic partners (eligibility affidavit required for coverage).
Onsite Health and Wellness Clinics for medical care at no cost to employees, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children.
Regular administrative employees receive 22 days of paid time off (13 vacation days and 9 sick days), which accrue biweekly and increases with tenure at UTA. As an executive employee you will also receive an additional 7 days of vacation at the start of each calendar year.
10 paid holidays and two paid floating holidays per year.
Retirement options – 457 Contribution Plan, Pension Plan with 5‑year vesting, or 401(a) with 15.5% yearly contribution.
Generous tuition reimbursement for higher education, available for any higher education degree (bachelor, master, or PhD). Courses must be approved prior to enrollment.
Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and child placement (after 12 months of employment).
Free transit passes for employees, spouses, and their dependent children.
Employee assistance program – counseling, legal services, financial planning, etc.
UTA Well – a comprehensive wellness program designed to support employees and dependents in their health and wellness goals.
Free on‑site fitness facilities and discounted membership to VASA Fitness.
Payrate starting at $176,200.00 or commensurate with experience. This position is open until filled. Priority will be given to candidates who apply by Monday, December 01, 2025.
Additional Information For more information on this position please visit:
Chief Communications Officer – UTA Careers
For more information on UTA’s Total Rewards benefits package, please visit:
UTA Total Rewards
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Provide direction to senior leadership team by bringing together strategic communications and institutional marketing representatives to address Agency-wide initiatives.
In collaboration with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees develop, implement, and communicate all communication and marketing strategies, relationship building, and identify opportunities to expand public reach.
Develop internal communication plans that communicate UTA’s vision, corporate culture and strategic plans and initiatives to employees.
Develop and implement the Agency’s corporate brand identity and image, and direct the Agency’s public relations, marketing, media relations, and social media.
Oversee and drive external communications designed to increase public awareness, understanding and support of the Agency’s strategic objectives and priorities.
Set and focus strategic direction for communications and customer facing functions including technology, brand identity, and image.
Direct all outward facing media, and communication initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
Five years’ experience managing communications, public relations, marketing, and customer focus functions, including three years of senior level management experience.
Experience developing relationships with public and private stakeholder groups and government agencies.
Previous experience in creating strategic corporate communications, advertising, and marketing campaigns, and building effective media plans.
Experience working with and directing creative strategy and resources in the areas of content marketing, communications/PR, social media and digital marketing, direct marketing, websites, broadcast, and print collateral.
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Community Relations, or closely related field.
Master’s degree in Corporate/Strategic Communications or closely related field preferred but not required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong project management, strategic analysis, and critical thinking skills.
Experienced communicator with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. Political sensitivity and acumen.
Well versed in communications platforms and collaboration tools. Adapt easily to a variety of technology and software programs.
Experience with public transit management issues preferred.
Communications research, processes, planning and program implementation.
Current and emerging technology in communications and marketing to produce and share content for websites, intranet, and/or social media.
Significant brand development, management, and messaging strategies.
Communicate with strong interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral.
Manage, supervise, coach, and evaluate a team of diverse communications professionals.
Develop and retell stories in support of the brand identity.
Shape and control the flow of information to key constituencies.
Sustain positive and open lines of communication with internal and external stakeholders.
Coordinate a variety of high‑profile tasks and responsibilities.
Identify story ideas and shape key messages to generate positive coverage of the Agency.
Create and utilize formal and informal systems for gathering, tracking, and analyzing reliable information.
UTA Competencies
Ability to implement complex business strategies through influence, communication, and internal coordination.
Strategic Mindset – Looking toward the broadest possible view of an issue/challenge; cultivating innovation; anticipating future trends and implications accurately.
Business Acumen – Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the broader issues affecting field of expertise and organization.
Managerial Courage – Standing strong in the face of adversity and taking necessary risk to achieve results.
Change Management – Dealing comfortably with the uncertainty of change. Dealing constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.
Communicates Effectively – Creating an open environment in which thoughts are expressed freely and information flows easily.
Decision Making – Making sound decisions that consider multiple options, seeking input from others, reaching good decisions in a timely manner.
Drives Results – Fostering a strong bottom‑line orientation; accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks; exceeding goals successfully; pushing self and others to achieve results.
An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Benefits
Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance, with Flexible Spending and Dependent Care accounts. Choice between Traditional Co‑Pay or High‑Deductible Health Plans for medical coverage. HSA with company match available to employees enrolled in the HDHP. Benefit plans include coverage for domestic partners (eligibility affidavit required for coverage).
Onsite Health and Wellness Clinics for medical care at no cost to employees, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children.
Regular administrative employees receive 22 days of paid time off (13 vacation days and 9 sick days), which accrue biweekly and increases with tenure at UTA. As an executive employee you will also receive an additional 7 days of vacation at the start of each calendar year.
10 paid holidays and two paid floating holidays per year.
Retirement options – 457 Contribution Plan, Pension Plan with 5‑year vesting, or 401(a) with 15.5% yearly contribution.
Generous tuition reimbursement for higher education, available for any higher education degree (bachelor, master, or PhD). Courses must be approved prior to enrollment.
Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and child placement (after 12 months of employment).
Free transit passes for employees, spouses, and their dependent children.
Employee assistance program – counseling, legal services, financial planning, etc.
UTA Well – a comprehensive wellness program designed to support employees and dependents in their health and wellness goals.
Free on‑site fitness facilities and discounted membership to VASA Fitness.
Payrate starting at $176,200.00 or commensurate with experience. This position is open until filled. Priority will be given to candidates who apply by Monday, December 01, 2025.
Additional Information For more information on this position please visit:
Chief Communications Officer – UTA Careers
For more information on UTA’s Total Rewards benefits package, please visit:
UTA Total Rewards
#J-18808-Ljbffr