Strategic Director, Transportation Policy & Planning

CommonWealth Beacon; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in Boston is seeking a Director of Policy and Planning to lead the agency’s policy and programmatic work, including its long-range plan and transportation investment program. You will advise executive leadership, staff, and the MAPC board and oversee a multidisciplinary team to deliver strategic planning across the region.

The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of transportation policy, public management, and a commitment to transparent public

Qualifications

• Knowledge of transportation principles, long-term planning, and capital investment planning
• Experience leading collaboration and emotional intelligence
• Experience in personnel management, including supervision, mentoring and training, conflict resolution, and performance evaluation
• Experience developing budgets and managing resources
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to engage with all levels of staff, colleagues, board members, and the public
• A commitment to transparency and public service
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• A master’s degree with at least eight years in transportation planning or public management, five years in progressively responsible managerial roles

Responsibilities

• Lead federal requirements process aligned with statutes, rules, guidance, and policies
• Mentor staff to build cohesion across teams and strengthen agency culture
• Lead and support managers for long-range planning, investment programming, policy development, board activities, and related planning
• Promote high-quality research, analysis, and writing and advance best practices
• Strengthen board engagement and informed decision-making
• Serve as point person on civil rights matters (Title VI, Civil Rights Act, ADA)
• Collaborate to manage staff resources per agency vision and goals
• Champion the Ideas Group focusing on participation, dignity, and respect for all perspectives
• Build relationships with partners to advance coordinated policy and planning
• Lead and empower a multidisciplinary team of managers and staff

Skills

Transportation planning

Leadership

People management

Budget management

Communication

Time management

Microsoft Office

Education

Master’s degree in planning, engineering, public policy, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in Boston is seeking a Director of Policy and Planning to lead the agency’s policy and programmatic work, including its long-range plan and transportation investment program. You will advise executive leadership, staff, and the MAPC board and oversee a multidisciplinary team to deliver strategic planning across the region.

The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of transportation policy, public management, and a commitment to transparent public