Associate Director, Ecosystem & Programs

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM:

Join our team of dedicated professionals to help drive our mission and make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. MBI is at the forefront of a transformational, once-in-a-generation opportunity to close the digital divide. Through historic federal investment, MBI is developing and managing programs that will expand access to affordable and reliable broadband service, create new jobs and economic opportunities, enable increased access to healthcare services, support enriching educational experiences of students, and improve quality of life for our residents. MBI is leading the charge to achieve the vision of closing the digital divide, and we are looking for people with the dedication and passion to make this vision a reality.

In Massachusetts, over 98% of people have access to broadband, ranking 5th in the U.S. However, there is still mission-critical work to be done to close remaining gaps, address affordability, and expand access to internet-connected devices and digital literacy training. MBI is leading the state’s broadband and digital equity investment strategy.

THE ROLE:

MBI is seeking an Associate Director, Ecosystem & Programs to join our Leadership team! The Associate Director, Ecosystem & Programs will have the opportunity to lead an innovative broadband and digital equity portfolio. This position will play a key role in providing strategic and operational leadership across all MBI programs.

The MBI team is delivering Internet for All to the Commonwealth. This is a unique opportunity to join a collaborative team, work on a highly visible economic development priority, and make an impact in the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead and foster the Massachusetts Digital Equity ecosystem. Develop and implement strategies to sustain the ecosystem, and drive increased participation, coordination, and visibility.

• Building from recommendations and findings outlined in the Statewide Digital Equity Plan, BEAD Five-Year Action Plan, and BEAD Initial Proposal, identify key areas and audiences to target investments and programs
• Facilitate coordination and relationships among ecosystem organizations, partners, and stakeholders
• Support the development of technical assistance and tools to facilitate growth of the ecosystem
• Developing and implementing strategies to sustain the ecosystem

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Coordinate and participate in extensive stakeholder and community engagement efforts for broadband and digital equity programs funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”), and other sources of state or federal funding made available to MBI.
• Collaborate with industry and non-profit entities, as well as local, state, and federal governmental bodies (including the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, NTIA) and regional planning agencies to inform broadband and digital equity program development in Massachusetts

Division Management and Staff Supervision

• Oversee the day-to-day operations and management of five  MBI Cross Portfolio Team members
• Establish clear and effective team communication to ensure an efficient and streamlined work culture
• Work with team to establish short, medium, and long term goals and workplans
• Contribute to the professional development and growth of staff to ensure employee retention and job satisfaction

Contribute to the strategic development and future vision of MBI

Play an active role in Division strategic planning that will guide the continued growth and success of MBI as the Massachusetts State Broadband Office. This includes supporting MBI’s response to future funding opportunities related to broadband and digital equity and translating strategy into specific programs, projects, and operations

Oversee Program Operations

• Support the development of MBI program documents, such as grant solicitations, RFIs and grant applications, and MBI procurements, including RFPs.
• Work with organizational leadership and key stakeholders to measure program success
• Work with Cross Portfolio team to develop and share best practices and operational improvement projects

• 8+ years of experience in economic development, broadband or telecommunications, public policy/administration, or a related field;
• Supervisory and team building experience
• Experience developing and implementing complex grant programs
• Experience managing and overseeing state and/or federal funds
• Excellent public speaking skills and experience coordinating with C-Suite executives and elected officials
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team environment;
• Experience supporting data analysis, report writing, and visual communication
• Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to work collaboratively
• Excellent communication (written and oral) skills and creative thinker
• Ability to meet deadlines and problem-solve
• Travel within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (often not accessible by public transportation) expected with occasion travel elsewhere in the United States is expected. Estimated travel ~10% of time.

** PLEASE NOTE: THIS POSITION REQUIRES CANDIDATES TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS AT LEAST TWO DAYS PER WEEK. THIS IS NOT A FULL-TIME REMOTE POSITION. **

MassTech offers a hybrid work schedule and a competitive total rewards package.