Strategic Communications Deputy Director

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, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

The Strategic Communications Deputy Director is responsible for identifying key MBTA initiatives, programs, and projects across all divisions for the purpose of establishing a catalogue of MBTA content to inform internal communications. This includes drafting remarks, talking points, slide decks, briefing papers, and other executive-level content. The Strategic Communications Deputy Director gathers, reviews, and edits presentation materials and reports for Board Meetings or other Executive leaders. Responsibilities include editing, assisting with gathering content, contributing to the creation of communication and briefing documents, and working closely with Department leadership to track Board of Director requests for information and coordinate Executive responses. The position also supports scheduling meetings, gathering agenda items, disseminating material for meetings, and managing logistics for Board meetings and other events. This position is responsible for managing Board Operations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage, draft, edit, and refine executive-level content, talking points, slide decks, briefing materials, and other communications.
• Establish and manage a catalogue of MBTA content to inform internal communications.
• Attend quarterly meetings with Division leadership to identify initiatives that may require communications planning.
• Develop and manage integrated communication tools (toolkits, templates and briefings) for internal MBTA staff and external partners.
• Leverage technology solutions to improve employee engagement.
• Ensure Board and Committee schedules align between and among the MBTA, MassDOT, and Massport Boards of Directors. Identify and flag conflicts, recommend solutions, implement improvements
• Manage preparation and provide recommendations to strengthen and improve the strategic effectiveness of Board presentations and other messaging to ensure clarity, consistency, and impact.
• Develop summaries of complex issues for Board members and executives.
• Manage Board Operations
• Anticipate communications needs and propose solutions.
• Manage meeting scheduling, deadlines, logistics, and technology, including posting board material on , as well as material distribution.
• Communicate with and liaise between Board members and executives regarding regular meetings, ad hoc meetings, special events, briefings, and general communications.
• Work collaboratively with executives and others on gathering information and setting up operations, planning, and logistics of Board, MassDOT and MBTA Customer and Employee Experience (CEX) meetings.
• Track Board Director's requests for information and coordinate the gathering and distributing staff responses for review by Director of Executive Communications.
• Coordinate with senior MBTA leadership to assemble and collate briefing materials for executive meetings including the full Board and for monthly subcommittee meetings.
• Work in support of all executive communications, special projects and related duties as assigned.
• Ensure confidentiality and exercise sound judgement when handling sensitive or high-level communications.
• Support special projects, communications initiatives, and related duties.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Available to work any and all shifts and/or locations as assigned or directed.
• Available to work as per assignment by the MBTA twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as directed by supervisory staff for severe weather conditions, emergencies or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.

Supervision

No direct reports.

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a humanities subject such as Communications, Public Policy, English, History, Marketing or a related field.

Minimum Experience and Required Skills

• Five (5) years of experience in a communications-related field drafting, editing, and coordinating executive communications in a professional setting.
• Two (2) years of supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills with a proven ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally across all levels within an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to compile information and data into written and graphic presentations, experience proof reading memos and reports, and attention to detail to ensure accuracy.
• Proven ability to follow-up with staff at all levels of an organization as needed to accomplish tasks and ensure deadlines are met.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple assignments , prioritize workload for self, and coordinate with direct and indirect reports to meet deadlines.
• Ability to build strong relationships with internal business partners and experience working with multiple business partners and external stakeholders.
• Strong skills with Microsoft Office Suite and large group in-person and virtual presentation technology.
• Ability to work in an evolving and dynamic environment.
• Proven track record of being detail-oriented, energetic, self-motivated, and action-oriented.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Must possess excellent management skills with a demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize and accomplish assigned work objectives in a timely manner in order to meet deadlines.
• Must be able to maintain and exercise discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential information.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Public or government work experience.
• Experience advising senior leadership on messaging and presentation delivery.
• Familiarity with governance processes and preparation of Board-level materials.

• 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 (1) year of experience.

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.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• 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, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• 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.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.

• Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.

• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.

• Work Environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.

• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.

• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.

• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.

• Essential / Emergency Staff:During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.

• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at or

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit

• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.