Director of Public Affairs and Communications

• Lead and promote innovation in communications, engagement practices, editorial standards, and visual presentation.

• Oversee the managers of the Editorial, Graphics, and Communications and Engagement teams, developing their leadership capacity while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing public affairs and communications division.

• Develop processes and monitoring tools that maintain and enhance external communications, brand strategy, engagement strategy, and visual identity for the agency.

• Analyze and improve workflows for products, publications, and other public-facing content; collaborate with directors, managers, and authors to identify enhancements and efficiencies.

• Develop and execute communications plans to introduce and promote agency studies and accomplishments to staff, stakeholders, partners, industry peers, and the public.

• Provide strategic communications counsel in support of selected executive and internal communications initiatives and help prioritize activities based on agency needs and available resources.

• Strengthen and support relationships with external stakeholders, including community organizations, government agencies, and media outlets.

• Work closely with other directors and managers to ensure the integration of communications, editorial, and design strategies across all agency initiatives.

• Collaborate with other directors to shape the agency's public voice and ensure consistency in messaging across all departments.

While the following sections describe required and desirable qualifications, candidates who believe that their particular experience and skills fulfill the requirements are encouraged to apply.

• Expertise in public sector communications, branding, marketing, public relations, editorial processes, and visual design principles

• Experience managing teams

• Project, campaign, and meeting management skills, especially for complex, multi-stakeholder projects

• Experience with community and employee engagement

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and engage diverse audiences

• Experience developing budgets and managing resources

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, public management, business, planning, or a related field with at least 10 years of relevant experience, including progressively more responsible managerial experience for at least five of those years; or a master’s degree in one of these fields with at least 8 years of relevant experience, including progressively more responsible managerial experience for at least five of those years.

Additional highly desirable skills and qualifications:

• Experience leading large-scale initiatives and projects

• Experience working with public sector agencies

• Experience serving as a spokesperson

• Experience managing a brand or monitoring brand compliance

• Familiarity with the Boston region and its transportation systems and stakeholders

• Ability to effectively manage and collaborate with external consultants, partners, and vendors

• Familiarity with accessibility standards and best practices

• Familiarity with Office 365, Google Workspace, and Asana or related software

• A sense of humor and a sense of adventure

This is a full-time position. The starting salary range is $125,000 – $135,000 annually, contingent upon qualifications and experience. The agency offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits; a flexible, supportive work environment; and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Learn more about the agency’s offerings to employees via bostonmpo.org/careers.

The Boston Region MPO is a public agency made up of a passionate group of transportation planners, analysts, modelers, programmers, and engineers working to address the Boston region’s transportation challenges. The agency’s deep transportation knowledge is an essential asset to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), regional transit authorities, cities and towns within the region, as well as other agencies and stakeholders.

The agency has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from the Boston Region MPO office, which is located in downtown Boston, in a transit-oriented and bicycle-friendly area.

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States and a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. A Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check must be completed if the position is offered. However, a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is the fiduciary agent and legal employer of the Boston Region MPO staff. Both organizations are Equal Employment Opportunity employers that take pride in the diversity of their workforces and encourage all qualified persons to apply. MAPC participates in the E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility. MAPC and the Boston Region MPO may consider sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.

This position is open until filled, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply within the first 21 days. When applying for this position, please upload both a resume and cover letter via bostonmpo.org/careers. 

Salary : $125,000 - $135,000