Assistant Director Strategic Public Affairs (Second Ave Subway)

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); Northern, New York (KY, NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Commuting benefits (MTA transportation

Health coverage and pension plans

Time off & work-life balance

Professional growth & development

Job summary

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York, NY seeks an Assistant Director of Strategic Public Affairs for the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 outreach. You will manage government and public stakeholder relationships, coordinating with senior leadership to align external communications across agencies on capital projects.

You will oversee a community outreach program, collaborate with construction teams, and represent the project at public meetings, ensuring timely responses to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, English, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Must have a minimum of eight (8) years of related experience in communications, government, or government affairs.
• Must have at least four (4) years in a leadership and/or managerial role in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization, or governmental body preferred.
• Knowledge of the MTA regional network and its operating context is desirable.
• Deep understanding of the East Harlem and Harlem communities, key stakeholders, hot-button issues, and sensitivities.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly valued.
• Excellent presentation, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills, including synthesizing technical information for public understanding into layperson's terms.
• Possess a high level of political acumen gained through experience working in public administration, transportation, communications, and government/public environments.
• Ability to interface and communicate well with external agencies that may include the New York State Governor's Office, New York City government, elected and other public officials, and federal and state authorities.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the community outreach program and initiatives to support the successful delivery of Second Avenue Subway Phase 2.
• Work closely with the Construction Managers, contractor representatives, other MTA program managers to keep apprised of day-to-day work activities that impact the community.
• Support staffing and visibility of the Second Avenue Subway CIC which serves as a community hub for the project on the 125th Street Corridor.
• Serve as a leading voice on all communications between the project and the surrounding East Harlem and Harlem communities.
• Oversee timely responses to inquiries from external stakeholders and the public. Communicate with local stakeholders to gauge concerns, coll ect important feedback, and share information.
• Coordinate with contractors, project management teams, and other contracted parties to ensure that outreach and stakeholder engagement is properly managed.
• Be able to represent the MTA at public meetings with elected officials, community stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Devise strategies and work with project teams to address community concerns from external stakeholders around capital projects, service changes, and other transportation related policies.
• Collaborate with MTA HQ Communications Teams and MTA Press to create events and media campaigns; ensure high-quality content development for MTA Capital Projects.

Skills

Public affairs

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Government relations

Bilingual: English/Spanish

Communications

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, English, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field

Equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Assistant Director Strategic Public Affairs (Second Ave Subway)

Job ID: 17332

Business Unit: MTA Construction & Development

Location: New York, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Operations - Public Affairs

Date Posted: Sep 17, 2026

Description

JOB TITLE:

AGENCY:

Construction & Development

DEPT/DIV:

Operations\Operations - Public Affairs

REPORTS TO:

Senior Director Strategic Public Affairs

WORK LOCATION:

69 East 125 th Street, New York, NY

HOURS OF WORK:

8 : 3 0 AM to 5: 0 0 P M or as required (7.5HR/ DAY )

JOB FAMILY: CCC

GRADE: 004

SALARY RANGE:

99,557 to 124,446

DEADLINE:

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites

MTA Construction & Development reserves the right to remove this posting before the application deadline.

Agency Mission

MTA Construction & Development (C&D) is responsible for the planning, development, and execution of all capital construction projects across the MTA region. Through centralized oversight and management of the MTA ’ s $68.4 billion Capital Program, C&D ensures the efficient delivery of critical infrastructure projects that support the region ’ s vast transportation network. As part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the largest transportation network in North America, C&D plays a key role in modernizing and expanding services that support 15.3 million residents across New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. C&D is committed to delivering safe, innovative, and cost-effective capital projects that enhance customer experience and strengthen the reliability and resilience of the MTA system.

Telework

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

S ummary

The Assistant Director, Strategic Public Affairs (Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Outreach ) manages government and public stakeholder relationships with a specific focus on the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 megaproject extending the Q train to East Harlem . Under the supervision of the Senior Director s of Strategic Public Affairs and Government and Community Relations , this position coordinates and manages public affairs for capital projects for MTA Construction & Development (C&D) and other MTA agencies . The Assistant Director works in concert with the Project Team to manage stakeholder engagement and facilitate execution of coordinated strategic public affairs. The Assistant Director works in collaboration with senior leadership and staff within MTA HQ – External Affairs to ensure close coordination and strategic alignment across all external communications with governmental/public affairs stakeholders on capital projects and initiatives . In addition to the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project, the Assistant Director may also support stak eholder engagement for other MTA C&D capital projects as assigned .

Responsibilities

Manage the community outreach program and initiatives to support the successful delivery of Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 .

Work closely with the Construction Managers, contractor representatives, other MTA program managers (Environmental, Safety, MPT, Communications, and Press) to keep apprised of day-to-day work activities that impact the community.

S upport staffing and visibility of the Second Avenue Subway CIC which serves as a community hub for the project on the 125 th Street Corridor.

Serve as a leading voice on all communications between the project and the surrounding East Harlem and Harlem communities .

The Assistant Director will serve as an intermediary between the community, stakeholders, agency partners (DOT, DEP, NYPD, FDNY, DSNY, DOH, etc.), and elected officials , under the direction of the Senior Director of Strategic Public Affairs for MTA Construction & Development and MTA’s Government & Community Relations team.

M anag e initiatives to foster goodwill with the residential and business community, such as a comprehensive work zone branding campaign intended to mitigate impacts to small businesses and showcase the benefits of SAS2; MTA C&D’s Good Neighbor Initiative (GNI), which seeks to assess and mitigate quality of life issues during the construction phase of the project, evaluating the effectiveness of community enhancements and contractor compliance with contract requirements as they relate to this experience; the MTA’s local hiring program which has established a 20% local & economically-disadvantaged community hiring goal for NYS hires on the project; and compliance and reporting on environmental due diligence.

Represent local perspectives about the project, serving as a conduit to ensure that local concerns are understood and addressed by the Project Team and MTA leadership . This requires a deep understanding of local conditions and communities in East Harlem and Harlem. The Assistant Director will serve as a mobile liaison for the station areas under construction to notify local stakeholders of upcoming work and to stay in touch on all matters regarding project progress.

Oversee timely responses to inquiries from external stakeholders and the public. Communicate with local stakeholders to accurately gauge concerns, coll ect important feedback, and share relevant information. Provide a balanced approach to managing stakeholders’ priorities and needs

Work with P roject T eam and other MTA agency partners to develop targeted briefing materials and outreach materials for members of the public and for government partners.

Coordinate with contractors, project management teams, and other contracted parties to ensure that outreach and stakeholder engagement is properly managed.

Be able to represent the MTA at public meetings with elected officials, community stakeholders, and members of the public.

Devise strategies and work with project teams to effectively address community concerns from external stakeholders around capital projects, service changes, and other transportation related policies.

Collaborate with MTA HQ Communications Teams and MTA Press to create events and other media campaigns that provide opportunities to build relationships with public stakeholders, and e nsure effective, high-quality content development for MTA Capital Projects.

Collaborate with the Executive Management Team to provide strategic communication to build brand visibility and shape the communications strategy and digital platform for the project(s) .

Will need to work outside of regular work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends), including attending community engagement events and community board meetings .

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or external sites, including community events, site tours, and filming and photography of construction.

Education and Experience

Bachelor ' s Degree in Communications, English, Business Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration , or related field , or equivalent experience.

Must have a minimum of eight (8) years of related experience in communications, government, or government affairs

Must have at least four (4) years in a leadership and/or managerial role in a large, multi-faceted, fast- paced organization, or governmental body preferred.

Knowledge and record of managing corporate communications or public affairs for large, complex organization s .

Knowledge of the MTA regional network and its operating context is desirable.

Deep u nderstanding of the East Harlem and Harlem communities, key stakeholders, hot -button issues, and sensitivities .

Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly valued.

Excellent presentation, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills, including synthesizing technical information for public understanding into layperson ' s terms.

Possess a high level of political acumen gained through experience working in public administration, transportation, communications, and government/public environments.

Ability to exercise judgment , discretion, course correct, and manage shifting priorities, challenges, and deadlines.

Ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.

Ability to interface and communicate well with external agencies that may include the New York State Governor ' s Office, New York City government, elected and other public officials, and federal and state authorities.

Comfortable working and communicating with professionals at all levels within the organization, such as senior leadership, MTA Press Office, Communications, Agencies, and MTA Board.

Strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional s in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction of the project(s) outreach program.

Detail-oriented with strong organizational, analytical, problem - solving, and planning skills. Must be a self-starter who can identify needs , strategies, and resources to meet those needs.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Graphic Design Skills preferred.

Commuting Made Easy – Enjoy a complimentary MTA transportation pass, plus access to tax-advantaged commuter benefits to maximize your savings.

Premium Health Coverage at Low Cost – Access high-quality individual, family , and domestic partner healthcare, dental, vision, and life insurance plans.

Secure Your Future – Build long-term financial security through pension plans and retirement savings accounts designed for eligible employees.

Time Off & Work-Life Balance

Generous Time Away – Recharge with substantial paid T ime off and comprehensive holiday schedules that support your personal and family commitments.

Holistic Support Services – Access our dedicated Work Life Services team and Office of the Chaplains unit for personal guidance and support when you need it most.

Professional Growth & Development

Learning & Development Program – Advance your career through structured professional development opportunities, skills training, and leadership programs tailored to support your growth within the organization.

Educational Investment – Pursue your career goals with in-house training and professional development, tuition reimbursement support, and partnerships with educational institutions.

Employee Experience & Community

Employee Assistance Programs – Comprehensive support services to help you navigate life's challenges with confidence and resources.

Discounts & Perks – Take advantage of MTA employee discount programs offering savings on products and services.

Connect & Belong – Join our vibrant Employee Resource Groups to build meaningful connections, share experiences, and contribute to an inclusive workplace culture.

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are equal opportunity employers, including those with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are equal opportunity employers, including those with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.