Senior Manager Communications

Department: Charlotte Area Transit System Department Salary: $98,731.00 - $141,926.09 Commensurate with Experience Thank you for your interest in joining the team that keeps Charlotte moving, at a very exciting time for our organization. At the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative transit services for our growing community, and we value employees who bring professionalism, passion, and a commitment to public service.

This position is currently employed by CATS, a department of the City of Charlotte. With the passage of the PAVE Act and last year’s sales tax referendum, CATS is preparing to transition from a City department to the newly created Metropolitan Public Transit Authority (MPTA). The MPTA was established to strengthen regional transit governance, improve accountability, and support long‑term investment in mobility.

It’s an important and exciting step forward for transit in our region. Employees hired into this role will remain City employees through December 31, 2026, and will transition to MPTA employment on January 1, 2027. Benefits and compensation will follow City provisions through 2026 and shift to MPTA provisions in 2027, with clear information shared in advance. Your core duties, reporting structure, and daily responsibilities will remain consistent, with no break in service.

If anything delays the transition, your City employment, including compensation and benefits, will remain in place until the move to the MPTA occurs. The creation of the MPTA positions us for a more modern, sustainable, and efficient transit system, one that can better support the Charlotte region for decades to come. We’re excited about what’s ahead and appreciate your interest in being part of it.

SUMMARY The Senior Manager of Communications leads CATS’ communications and information functions, ensuring clear, accurate and timely messaging to customers, stakeholders and the community at large. Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, this role is accountable for the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that support service delivery, build ridership, provide operational transparency and build public trust.

The Senior Manager oversees agency-wide public information, media relations, digital communications and community-facing messaging, translating organizational priorities and operational realities into coordinated, accessible communications across multiple platforms. This role plays a central leadership function in managing service change communications, disruption messaging, promoting new services and public-facing narratives related to transit services and initiatives.

Major Duties and Responsibilities: ​Communications Strategy & Message Governance Develop and implement communications and marketing strategies that support CATS’ service priorities, operational objectives, and public information needs. Establish messaging frameworks, tone standards, and content guidelines to ensure consistency and accuracy across communication channels. Translate organizational priorities and service impacts into clear, audience-appropriate communications.

Public Information & Service Messaging Oversee development and dissemination of service-related communications, including service changes, disruptions, and planned initiatives. Ensure timely and accurate communication of operational information to customers and stakeholders. Coordinate with Operations and Customer Service leadership to align messaging with real-time service conditions. Media Relations, External Communications Lead media relations activities, including press material development (press releases, media advisory, talking points, and more), media inquiries, interviews, and briefings.

Serve as a primary point of coordination for external communications with news outlets and public-facing organizations. Prepare and support executive leadership for media engagements and