Title: Internal Communications Manager (Project Manager Communications)

State Role Title: PR and Marketing Manager II

Hiring Range: $74,045 - $120,323

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Central Office (Old Hwy. Building)

Agency Website: https://www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you?  Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation, championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to your professional development...At the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), we have something for YOU!   

VDOT’s Central Office Communications Division, located in downtown Richmond, represents a collection of heroes who keep people moving safely through the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our Central Office location is a paradise for those who love urban life, history and architecture with close proximity to Virginia’s major interstates to visit all that Virginia has to offer. What makes working here fulfilling is the collaboration of knowledge and diversity of talent, divisions and industries that are all located under one roof, which include many of the agency’s decision makers.

Our high-energy, collaborative team centers around ideas and delivering solutions to unique challenges, while customizing materials for our target audiences and offering our heroes an abundance of exciting work and projects to participate on.

Our most successful Internal Communications Manager is a talented and experienced communicator who is willing to work hard to learn the work of VDOT, is a leader with a record of success in integrated storytelling and employee communications, has experience in crisis communications, and can multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Are you ready to be our next Hero in Central Office?

Are you poised to join an award-winning communications team with endless energy and mission-focused projects?

Do you dream of multimedia solutions to transform how people think and behave?

Do you thrive in a collaborative group setting and get excited developing solutions to unique challenges?

We have the role for you, as the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Internal Communications Manager!

The VDOT communications team centers around ideas and delivery, while customizing materials for our target audiences. This leader has sharp editing skills, an eye for design, and a passion for determining innovative and new ways of working. This role will lead the planning and execution of internal communications and be a key project manager for highly visible deliverables that will involve coordinating and collaborating with VDOT’s graphics, photo and video teams. This position will report directly to the Assistant Director of Internal Communications.

Position specific responsibilities and duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Develops an internal communications plan that effectively informs and engages over 8,000 employees statewide
  
  
• Responds to intermittent and unexpected issues that may occur during and result in work activity outside of standard working hours
  
  
• At times, assist with managing the development of emergency communications response strategies, reactive statements, FAQs and other deliverables as needed
  
  
• Works directly with senior leaders on executive corporate communications including presentations, speeches, talking points, official statements and employee communications
  
  
• Identifies emerging trends and recommends new and innovative initiatives to grow VDOT’s internal communications program
  
  
• Leads and inspires a team of professionals; sets and communicates clear priorities to internal clients
  
  
• At times, serves as a media spokesperson during severe weather events and/or emergencies; responsible for message development; participates in 24/7 on-call rotation
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience in journalistic writing using language conforming to the Associated Press Stylebook
  
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
  
• Supervisory experience leading teams with developing and delivering internal communications for a large organization
  
• Experience creating and maintaining content
  
• Proven and passionate with experience directing professionals
  

Additional Considerations

• Proven ability to develop a tactical plan to implement strategic communication plans
  
• Experience managing issues/crises
  
• Management experience in communications, marketing or public relations
  
• Completed coursework focused on National Incident Management System (NIMS) and FEMA EMI certifications
  
• Business literate in Virginia state government
  
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations or communications. Equivalent experience or training may substitute for a degree
  

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. As such, this job is essential to emergency response operations and expected to work in these situations, to include weekends, holidays, and after normal business hours; assignments may vary based on business needs to include working in severe weather.

Your application will require a sample of your portfolio of work pertaining to internal communications, either attached as an optional document or by providing a link to your portfolio in your answer in the job specific questions section. Applications that do not include work samples will not be considered.

Applicants are expected to fully represent qualifications and work history on the State application or resume. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided; therefore, it is essential to provide detailed information. Submitting an incomplete state application or resume, or application materials lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is an Equal Opportunity Employer by both policy and practice. For more information about our employment practices, please visit “Information for VDOT Employees and Applicants”: http://www.virginiadot.org/jobs/information_for_employees.asp

Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Contact Information

Name: Greg Rollins

Email: greg.rollins@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.