Deputy Director of External Affairs

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values.

About the Role

The Deputy Director of External Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for developing and executing the External Affairs department’s public affairs strategy. This individual provides advice, insight, analysis, coordination, and acts as a liaison between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and various government and regional stakeholders. The Deputy Director oversees and manages the External Affairs department’s government affairs and external engagement strategies, serving as a liaison to governmental agencies, partners, and service providers. This role advises senior leadership on strategies for managing governmental and interjurisdictional relationships, maintains awareness of stakeholder interests, and may lead cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Directs the operations of the Authority’s government affairs strategy by developing and advancing the MBTA’s legislative agenda in conjunction with other department leaders.
• Works with department Leads and Senior Leadership in identifying and solving problems with governmental entities and/or introducing opportunities to promote the MBTA's reputation.
• Represents the MBTA's interests with various government agencies, and state and local elected officials.
• Acts as primary point of contact for state and local officials regarding issues related to any MBTA matter, including operations and capital projects.
• Works with the Director of Capital and Community Relations to advise on and set strategic external engagement objectives related to capital projects.
• Sets direction on capital project engagement related to government stakeholders.
• Facilitates external communications, organizes meetings and materials, and maintains internal records.
• Supports department management with drafting and submitting statutorily required legislative reports.
• Assists colleagues on the External Affairs team with constituent requests.
• Assists with the development and execution of outreach plans and external engagement strategies related to MBTA service, projects, and initiatives.
• Monitors state legislation, analyzes legislative proposals, and provides updates and recommendations for the Assistant General Manager for External Affairs.
• Maintains updated contact lists of regional stakeholders, elected officials, and staff.
• Supports the management and delivery of effective, timely completion of departmental and functional key initiatives, programs, and policies.
• Works closely with the Office of Communications, Customer Experience, and other external-facing departments to ensure effective and proactive communication on a range of MBTA projects and events.
• Attends external events as directed.
• Handles all sensitive information in a strictly confidential manner.

Supervision

Will supervise Manager of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Communications or related field.
• Five (5) years of full-time experience working in a legislative office, government agency, and/or advocacy organization.
• Two (2) years of leadership and/or supervisory experience.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, with ability to communicate effectively across departments and functions.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to support multiple assignments and stakeholders, prioritize workload for self, and coordinate with managers to meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize data and exercise effective problem solving.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a diverse workforce.
• Maturity and confidence to interact with elected officials and staff.
• Ability to travel to locations throughout the MBTA’s service areas.
• Demonstrated interest in public transportation.
• Satisfactory work record for the two (2) years prior to the closing date of this posting, including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records.

Qualifications

Substitutions:

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Skills

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, or related degree.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations to senior level executives.
• Experience working in a large, matrixed organization.
• Experience in local, state, or national politics/legislative affairs.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship/co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless current student or recent graduate).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and/or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and/or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position.

Intern/co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship/co-op. Additionally, interns/co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings/pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.