Director of Communications

Company: DirectEmployers Association
Location: Vancouver
Posted on: November 25, 2022

Job Description:

Director of Communications - Vancouver, WA Director of Communications


The Port of Vancouver USA is a multi-purpose port authority located in Vancouver, Wash. along the banks of the Columbia River. The port has handled a variety of bulk and break-bulk cargos since 1912.

The Port of Vancouver USA is a hub for more than 7 million tons of cargo moving from as far away as the Midwest to the Middle East, making its way on barges, rail, ships, or trucks -all converging on port docks. The bulk of cargo at the port includes wheat, minerals, autos, large project cargo, and liquids.

We are a versatile, hard-working port on a mission to create jobs and trade for the region. This is an exciting, highly visible time, requiring outreach and dialog with our community and stakeholders.

The port is also home to over 50 industrial tenants that vary from panel manufacturing to electronics recycling and small-batch beer malt distributing. We have recently added more than 50 acres of ready-to-build industrial property, and are set to grow.

Sound interesting? Read on.

We seek a professional, knowledgeable, Director of Communications for a regular full-time position. The Director of Communications is a position with a high level of responsibility requiring discretion and independent judgment in decision making and requiring a significant understanding of public relations and communication principles. The essential responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
--- Actively support the port's mission and vision and demonstrate values consistently.
--- Work effectively as a team player with all port employees.
--- Serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the port, and when appropriate, prepare port leadership for communications with the media.
--- Develop and maintain the necessary contacts with media representatives to effectively stay informed and positively influence communications as it relates to the port.
--- Credibly communicate with all media outlets and representatives.
--- Oversee the development of communications, public and community relations and media strategy for the port.
--- Develop and write content for newsletters, press releases, and other publications.
--- Oversee content and development of social media.
--- Lead and serve on project teams as necessary.
--- Collaborate with and provide strategic communications expertise with external partners, agencies, and associations.
--- Participate in the decision-making processes and work with leadership teams, providing strategic communications advice, issue management, training and media relations support.
--- Develop and maintain an excellent working knowledge of port functions and activities and establish solid working relationships with relevant industry and media outlets.
--- Set the standard for port communications with demonstrated and effective verbal and written skills.
--- Work effectively across port departments to support marketing communications efforts.
--- Manage and direct contracts with public relations firms, website experts, and various other media, public relations, and advertising companies and individuals as needed.
--- Work closely with Chief External Affairs Officer on development of department goals and strategies, and oversee their implementation.
--- Attend association conferences.
--- Work occasional weekend and evening events outside of the normal 40 hour workweek.
--- Supervise the Marketing Communications Manager, Community Relations Manager, and Social Media and Communications Specialist.
--- Participate in strategic planning processes in coordination with other port directors and staff.
--- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or Affairs, Journalism, or other appropriate liberal arts degree.

Experience: 5+ years experience in communications and public relations. Current and relevant knowledge of port media venues and contacts as well as some combination of public and private sector experience preferred.

Supervisory Skills: Ability to clearly assign responsibility for tasks and decisions; sets clear objectives and measures; monitor process, progress and results and designs feedback loops into work. Lays out work in a well planned and organized manner; maintains two-way dialog with direct reports on work and results; brings out the best in people; is a clear communicator. Doesn't hold back anything that needs to be said; provides current, direct, complete, and "actionable" positive and corrective feedback when needed.

Communication Skills: College-level written and verbal communications skills. Must be able to communicate effectively up, down, and across the entire organization clearly and succinctly in a variety of styles to get messages across that have the desired effect. Adaptable, polished social skills for effective interaction with a wide variety of individuals and organizations, including media. The ability to develop and deliver formal presentations in a variety of settings. (i.e. one-on-one, small or large groups). Proficiency in marketing, digital media, and community engagement.

Computer Skills: Advanced / Expert level skills with Windows based software, primarily MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Intermediate understanding of social media, primarily Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.



If you are interested in this position, please click the link below to apply.

https://www.portvanusa.com/about/careers/director-of-communications-3/

If you have any questions or concerns, please submit them to jobs@portvanusa.com

The posting will remain open until December 2, 2022.

The Port of Vancouver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Port of Vancouver complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
Description: The Port of Vancouver USA, was established in 1912 to ensure public ownership of trade docks on the Columbia River. The district encompasses an area of 111 square miles with a population of more than 300,000. The port is governed by three elected commissioners who serve six-year terms and are responsible for setting the overall policy and goals for port operations and development. Located at the natural transportation hub of the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia/Snake River System, the Port of Vancouver USA, is an ideal transfer point for cargoes moving to and from the Pacific Rim and the world. Annually, the port handles more than 500 ocean-going vessels, as well as river barges, with a total cargo volume exceeding 5 million metric tons. The port is adjacent to north/south and east/west national highways and offers on-site connection to rivergrade rail traveling between Canada and Mexico and east to Chicago.

Keywords: DirectEmployers Association, Vancouver , Director of Communications, Executive , Vancouver, Washington