Manager, External Affairs

C001 New Jersey Institute of Technology; United States; Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) seeks a Manager of External Affairs to lead public engagement for major agency initiatives such as the Long Range Transportation Plan, and to represent the agency at external meetings, conferences, and events. The role involves updating the Public Engagement Plan, coordinating across 13 counties, and guiding innovative outreach efforts.

The position requires six years in communications/public policy fields, strong writing and speaking skills, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, or related field.
• Six years of relevant experience in communications, journalism, public policy, planning, or related fields.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with experience presenting at meetings and events, and engaging the public.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work well independently, as well as collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Leading agency public engagement efforts, including coordinating outreach across 13 counties for the quadrennial Long Range Transportation Plan update.
• Serving as project manager for consultant-supported efforts related to public engagement.
• Representing the agency at external meetings and events including professional conferences, county transportation advisory board meetings, NJ TRANSIT board meetings, and other partner agency meetings and events.
• Pursuing innovative outreach and communications strategies; maintaining and updating the Public Engagement Plan and ensuring initiatives align with the plan’s requirements.
• Planning and staffing outreach events, including efforts focused on engaging traditionally underrepresented populations.
• Overseeing the UpNext North Jersey young adult advisory group, including planning events, finding opportunities to involve the group in NJTPA-funded planning work, and drafting a monthly newsletter.
• Coordinating the Morris Canal Working Group in collaboration with the Canal Society of NJ and other partners.
• Working with staff in the Communications & Public Affairs division, as needed, to create videos, social media content, and publications, as well as presentations, scripts, posters, and other materials to support the agency’s work.
• Reviewing and editing materials related to public outreach.

Skills

Public engagement

Project management

Public speaking

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public policy, or related field

Job description

Title

Manager, External Affairs

Reports To

Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs

Position Summary

The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority seeks a Manager of External Affairs to lead public engagement for major agency initiatives, including the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), and represent the agency at external meetings, conferences and events. Under the direction of the Senior Manager of Outreach, the Manager of External Affairs is responsible for updating the Public Engagement Plan and ensuring outreach and other initiatives align with the plan’s requirements. This position manages consultant efforts and leads the agency’s innovative public engagement initiatives, including the UpNext North Jersey young adult advisory group. The Manager of External Affairs works closely with stakeholders, including coordinating Morris Canal Working Group meetings and agency involvement in conferences, such as NJ TransAction and the New Jersey Association of Counties, and represents the agency at meetings of county transportation advisory boards, partner agencies, and other organizations. The ideal candidate can help build collaborative partnerships and has extensive public speaking and project management experience, is highly organized, and is passionate about incorporating public voices into transportation planning. This position requires excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. While much of this work is conducted during business hours, this position requires attendance at occasional evening and weekend outreach events. This is a hybrid position based in downtown Newark, NJ with the option to work remotely part of the time.

Essential Functions

• Leading agency public engagement efforts, including coordinating outreach across 13 counties for the quadrennial Long Range Transportation Plan update.
• Serving as project manager for consultant-supported efforts related to public engagement.
• Representing the agency at external meetings and events including professional conferences, county transportation advisory board meetings, NJ TRANSIT board meetings, and other partner agency meetings and events.
• Pursuing innovative outreach and communications strategies; maintaining and updating the Public Engagement Plan and ensuring initiatives align with the plan’s requirements.
• Planning and staffing outreach events, including efforts focused on engaging traditionally underrepresented populations.
• Overseeing the UpNext North Jersey young adult advisory group, including planning events, finding opportunities to involve the group in NJTPA-funded planning work, and drafting a monthly newsletter.
• Coordinating the Morris Canal Working Group in collaboration with the Canal Society of NJ and other partners.
• Working with staff in the Communications & Public Affairs division, as needed, to create videos, social media content, and publications, as well as presentations, scripts, posters, and other materials to support the agency’s work.
• Reviewing and editing materials related to public outreach.

Pre-Requisite Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, or a related field.
• Six years of relevant experience in communications, journalism, public policy, planning, or related fields.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with experience presenting at meetings and events, and engaging the public.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work well independently, as well as collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Project management experience.

Department

NJTPA

Union

Professional Staff Association (PSA)

Range

Professional Staff -27

Compensation

Salary: $78,934.23 - $148,044.67

Additional Information

FLSA: Exempt Time Type: Full time Pay Rate: Salary

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.

Employment at NJIT is subject to the provisions of New Jersey First Act which mandates new employees, who are not NJ residents, to establish primary residence in New Jersey within one year of their appointment to certain positions. The law does not apply to any individual employed at NJIT on a temporary or per semester basis as a visiting or adjunct professor, teacher, lecturer, researcher or administrator.

For more information on the act.

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If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department at [e-mail].

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When you work at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), you become part of a dynamic and innovative community dedicated to advancing education, research, and technological excellence. Recognized as New Jersey’s premier public polytechnic university, NJIT serves a diverse population of over 12,000 students across six colleges and schools, offering a forward-thinking academic environment in the heart of Newark, just minutes from New York City. At NJIT, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and excellence. Employees are empowered to grow professionally, contribute to meaningful work, and support a mission that shapes the future of technology, education, and research.

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