Job Description
Position Summary
The Director of Communications is responsible for acting as a liaison to the media for the four MassDOT Divisions: RMV, Aeronautics, Rail and Transit and Highway. The Director oversees marketing, branding, content and communications that is mission and purpose driven, including social media accounts, written press releases, marketing campaigns op-eds, one pagers and advisories and collaborates with colleagues on event planning, including, news conferences, open houses for projects, public meetings and meetings of the MassDOT Board of Directors and other official oversight boards.
The Director of Communications is committed to providing accurate and timely information to the media, fulfilling requests from the media under the Freedom of Information Act, acting as spokesperson for MassDOT and closely collaborating with colleagues on new initiative and program announcements, project updates and other public-facing topics. In this role they will focus on building and nurturing relationships with media representatives to enhance MassDOT's public image and communication effectiveness.
Want more jobs like this?
Get jobs in Boston, MA delivered to your inbox every week.
It is vital that the Director of Communications be passionate about MassDOT's mission to provide timely information, think strategically about announcements, execute communication tools flawlessly, and establish trusting partnerships with members of the media and colleagues. The Director should be someone who has handled breaking news, assisted with the scheduling of public events, and who has demonstrated the ability to develop professional relationships with members of the media.
The MassDOT Communications Office is a fast-paced environment on a daily basis and the Director needs to have demonstrated the ability to be responsive and efficient, while maintaining and exercising discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential information and must possess excellent management skills, with demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize and delegate tasks and utilize staff members to accomplish assigned work objectives timely and know and recognize when they need to jump in and do the work in order to deliver against deadlines.
This position will report directly to the Chief Communications Officer for MassDOT.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Responsible for coordinating proactive communications, marketing campaigns and content across the four MassDOT divisions and direct internal and external communications for topics of interest to the media and topics that are a priority for the Secretary of Transportation and Administration.
- Additional responsibilities include: overseeing and creating all external messaging (press, website & content) and internal messaging and digital content for employees and constituents.
- Establish and maintain relationships with media outlets, journalists, editors, and influencers to promote the organization's message.
- Ability to highlight the mission and programs of MassDOT through special projects and campaigns, such as events, social media content campaigns and communications.
- Planning, managing, coordinating and executing all aspects of the offices communications functions, such as being the spokesperson; proactively pitching stories to media throughout the state, working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the planning and execution of all public events is timely, professional and coordinated internally and externally.
- Duties may also include media training, speechwriting, creating talking points, preparation of articles, editorial pieces for publication in major newspapers and periodicals throughout the state, testimonials, website and social media content management, conducting research using various sources and search engines and generate reports and media briefings. This also includes strategy, development, implementation and evaluation ensuring materials and activities are aligned with the MassDOT mission and with our branding.
- Serve as a lead on brand and cross secretariat partnerships and direct internal and external communications for the Office of Communications and MassDOT Divisions; by interacting with and responding to inquiries from reporters and media outlets across the state on a daily basis.
- Coordination involves working closely with colleagues and internal knowledge experts, serving as a liaison for different partnerships and working with external consultants as needed.
- In addition, must maintain working relationships with the Governor's Office, other Secretariat Communications Offices and MassDOT managers.
- Writing: duties include but are not limited to; writing and targeting distribution of press releases; writing opinion pieces dissemination to regional media; drafting statements, speeches and talking points, drafting correspondence and other materials.
- Coordinate public events and speaking engagements: maintain a proactive approach to planning and coordinating public events including press conferences and outreach appearances.
Pre-Hire Process
A finalist for this position must be able to pass a comprehensive background check including a criminal record check, Department of Revenue (DOR) check, and employment references.
About MassDOT
The 4,000+ employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth's residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT's culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.
MassDOT's divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.
Qualifications
Minimum Entrance Requirements
This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Current MassDOT employees should use their internal MassCareers account to apply
All job applications must be submitted online through MassCareers to be considered.
Please provide a complete, accurate and current resume / application for MassDOT to review in order to determine if your submitted materials meet the minimum entrance requirements for the position.
Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.
- For questions regarding the job posting, please email the MassDOT Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisition@dot.state.ma.us.
- For general questions regarding MassDOT, call the Human Resources Service Center at 857-368-4722.
- For a disability-related reasonable accommodation or alternative application method, call the ADA Coordinator, Lucy Bayard, at 857-274-1935.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.