Senior Communications Consultant

Senior Communications Consultant

Salary

$89,232.00 - $144,830.40 Annually

Location

390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00200

Division

Regional Administration

Department

Comm/Administration

Opening Date

05/18/2026

Closing Date

6/1/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

WHO WE ARE

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Communications provides strategy and planning; digital user experiences; writing, editing, graphic design, and video production services; facilitates relations with a wide range of news media; provides information content, design and organizational framework for the Metropolitan Council's public-facing website; and maintains an ongoing presence on social media.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Senior Communications Consultant assists in leading the overall development and implementation of communication strategies to meet the ongoing needs of the Metropolitan Council brand, vision, and strategic goals. This position manages and supports the communications needs of departments or divisions with projects that are primarily externally focused and of the highest complexity, require communications consultation and strategy on public policy, or legislative requests.

Candidates permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This position will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

What you would do in this job

• Serve as primary communications strategist and provide consultation, strategic communications recommendations, and support for implementation of strategies.
• Lead project management, development and execution of strategic communication plans from concept to distribution including print collateral, publications, reports, online content, and social media.
• Lead and manage the planning of events including establishing clear measurable goals and themes; engaging key stakeholders; delegation of event tactics to ensure appropriate system/brand presence.
• Participate in cross-functional projects and advocate for the inclusion and correct presentation of marketing and informational communications. Help facilitate meetings, planning sessions, and retreats.
• Serve as brand strategist for Met Council management, provide communication recommendations to assist in messaging to key audiences. Provide message refinement, vision setting, and adjustment of style, method, and delivery as needed.
• Research and analyze current and future business needs in order to provide recommendations to meet organizational strategic goals.
• Partner with media relations team to provide content for media stories, prep spokesperson to ensure messaging and delivery aligns with Met Council strategy. Support general media relations activity which may include serving as a point of contact, facilitating meetings with public relations managers, providing key content for press releases, etc.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with external vendors and agencies.
• Establish metrics to measure communication strategies outcomes and conduct organization and communication audits to provide recommendations to enhance communication channels.
• Other related duties as assigned.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of completed education (in marketing, communications, English, journalism, or a related field) and experience in a professional communications role, including experience communicating with various audiences:

• Bachelor's degree or higher and 4 years of experience.
• Associates degree and 6 years of experience.
• High school diploma/GED and 8 years of experience.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Crisis communications knowledge and experience.
• Emergency management communications.
• Experience working directly with and advising organizational leadership.
• Strategic marketing experience.
• Background in audience analytics.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of Agile project management processes.
• Second language proficiency.
• Prior government experience (local, state, federal).
• Experience working with a diverse workforce and diverse communities, and reaching diverse audiences.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of communication strategy including presentations, facilitation and front-facing communications.
• Knowledge of communication metrics and reporting.
• Knowledge of contract management.
• Knowledge of communication trends.
• Knowledge of design, photography and videography.
• Knowledge of crisis communications.
• Skilled in creating and implementing communication strategies.
• Planning and project management skills.
• Communication skills, including the ability to write for various outlets (internal, external, web, emails, newsletters).
• Facilitation skills.
• Persuasion skills.
• Advanced skillset in written and oral communications.
• Ability to communicate with various audiences such as industry representatives, organization management levels including senior executives and department leadership.
• Ability to collaborate with advocacy and other colleagues to ensure consistent messaging.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with the team and external partners.
• Ability to explore alternatives and positions to reach agreements and solutions that gain support and acceptance.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Grade: Non-Represented / Grade H

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:

You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job youre applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.

We believe our employees are a key to our agencys success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

01

Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume" otherwise your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

How did you first hear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center
• Community Event/Organization
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
• Twitter
• Website: governmentjobs.com
• Website: metrocouncil.org
• Website: metrotransit.org
• Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
• Other

03

If you selected Other, please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected Employee Referral please enter the employees first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.

04

Please select the option below that best reflects your education and experience level.

• Bachelors degree, or higher, in marketing, communications, English, journalism or a related field AND at least four years of experience in a professional communications role, including experience communicating with various audiences.
• Associates degree in marketing, communications, English, journalism or a related field AND at least six years of experience in a professional communications role, including experience communicating with various audiences.
• High school diploma/GED AND at least eight years of experience in a professional communications role, including experience communicating with various audiences.
• Some education in marketing, communications, English, journalism or a related field AND/OR some experience in a professional communications role, including experience communicating with various audiences, but less than the options above.
• None of the above.

05

Please describe your experience in a professional communications role, including experience communicating with various audiences. Include duties performed, where the experience took place and for how long. If you do not have this experience, indicate N/A.

06

Please select the areas below with which you have work experience (select all that apply).

• Crisis communications knowledge and experience
• Experience working directly with and advising organizational leadership
• Background in audience analytics
• Experience with and/or knowledge of Agile project management processes
• Prior government experience (local, state, federal)

07

If you answered in question #6 that you have crisis communications knowledge and experience, please describe that experience including duties performed and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

08

If you answered in question #6 that you have experience directly supporting or advising organizational leaders, please describe that experience including how you have worked with it and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

09

If you answered in question #6 that you have project management experience, please describe that experience including where the experience took place. Please explicitly reference your experiences with the Agile project management framework. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

10

If you answered in question #6 that you have experience with audience analytics, please describe that experience including where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

11

If you answered in question #6 that you have prior government experience, please describe that experience and where the experience took place. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.

12

Please describe your experience working with people who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and/or cross-cultural communities. If you do not have this experience, indicate N/A.

13

The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify the following statement:

• I affirm that all information provided in my application including any uploaded documentation is true and accurate. I further affirm that I have personally reviewed, verified, and approved all content, including any content generated with the assistance of AI. I will provide all interview responses directly and in real-time without unauthorized assistance. I will not use AI avatars, external assistance in answering including computer-generated suggestions, or any recording and transcription tools during the interview process unless I have received prior approval from Human Resources for a disability-related reasonable accommodation.

Required Question

Employer Metropolitan Council

Address 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Website https://metrocouncil.org