Pay Range: $88,700 - $116,400

Basic Function 

The Creative Strategist leads development of marketing campaigns for the Communications department. Shapes METRO’s brand voice with data-driven and action-inspiring concepts for external and internal projects across traditional and digital channels. Translates project requirements into strategic marketing plans aligned with business goals and brand standards. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with applicable rules, procedures, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

 Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to gather and distill project requirements; share ideas; formulate and refine strategy; and produce creative briefs for execution.
• Develops strategic approaches for external marketing campaigns informed by knowledge and understanding of METRO transit services, customer insights, and market research.
• Builds relatable narratives and storytelling frameworks informed by internal and external information sources and understanding of brand experience.
• Ensure campaign content deliverables and messaging are strategic, compelling, and aligned with METRO brand guidelines.
• Incorporates department-wide activities into holistic, integrated strategies for campaign execution and development of recyclable content.
• Creates tailored strategies for key audiences including but not limited to prospective riders, METRO employees, individual communities, and the public.
• Presents creative concepts to senior leadership in collaboration with designers, writers, content developers and marketing account managers.
• Leads rigorous creative testing with internal teams and vendors to validate concepts, optimize messaging and maximize Return On Investment (ROI).
• Supports review and proofing of copy across all design projects.
• Stays current with industry trends, accessibility standards, and new technologies. Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies Safety Management System (SMS) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Business Administration or related field required. Master’s degree is preferred.

 Years & Experience Required

• Minimum seven (7) years in creative strategy, brand planning, and/or campaign development in an agency or brand setting, and preferably within a matrixed organization.
• Multidisciplinary experience across advertising, partnerships, experiential, and internal communications. Strong creative instincts informed by audience insights and analysis.
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills, with proven track record of gathering data and synthesizing findings into clear strategic narratives.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating measurable business impact and award-winning creative across multiple communication platforms, multicultural channels and brand touchpoints. Experience with brand design and campaign design processes.

 Knowledge & Skills Required Additional Information

• Highly creative with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Adept at simplifying complex information and providing clear strategic direction.
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles for design, layout, hierarchy, composition, typography, and UX/UI. Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, In Design, Photoshop) and AI-supported creative tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365. Detail-oriented, with superb project and time management skills. Excellent (verbal/written) communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

 Additional Information

• The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.
• Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.
• We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.