Executive Director

Overview

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general policy direction from and at the will of the Mayor, the Executive Director for the Office of Women's Advancement oversees programs and services which impact women and girls in the City of Boston. This position provides educational opportunities for women that emphasize economic equality, child care, programs for young girls, and the health and safety of all women.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This single position class is responsible for managing, directing and integrating the functions, programs and activities of the Office of Women's Advancement. The incumbent provides strategic leadership to the Mayor, City Council, and senior City management to address social and economic issues faced by women.

This role lives in the Equity & Inclusion Cabinet. Please read below to understand our larger vision.

Equity & Inclusion Cabinet mission:

The mission of the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet is to transform City policies, programs, and practices so that every resident has full access to what the City of Boston has to offer. With the goals of achieving racial justice and improving social determinants of health through systemic change for historically excluded communities, the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet:

• directly improves outcomes with and for residents,
• counsels all City departments to better address issues of equity, inclusion, and access,
• and creates the conditions for residents to build their collective power.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with the City's elected leadership to support the City's mission, vision, and objectives.

• Serves as the City's subject-matter expert and spokesperson for women and girls in the City of Boston; advises the Mayor on women's issues; writes position statements and talking points.

• Works with Mayor, City Council, and senior City management to advocate for women in regard to policy development, economic advancement, safety, human trafficking, and housing issues; serves as a resource for City employees.

• Serves as an advocate for women; plans community programs, workshops, and events relevant to women and girls including negotiation tactics, equal pay legislation, workforce development, and community services.

• Understands policy, research, and trends that impact women; works with federal, state, and local partners to promote the advancement of the female population in the City, as well as on the state and national levels.

• Collaborates with other City departments, community organizations, and numerous external partners on women's initiatives.

• Represents the Mayor at various community events and ceremonies; meets regularly with community partners to maintain strong relationships and build communication avenues for advocacy initiatives.

• Oversees the administrative functions of the Office of Women's advancement, including hiring and personnel management; participates in programs and activities that promote workplace diversity and a positive employee relations environment.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Four (4)-year college or university with a major in gender studies or a closely related field; and at least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in women's advocacy; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Experience in a governmental setting is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles, practices and techniques of public administration, including budgeting and financial planning, financial management, human resources, purchasing, risk management, operations management, and other general operational support services.

• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to women's advancement.

• Municipal fiscal, budgetary, and financial operations of city government.

• Women's economic and advancement issues.

• Community organizations.

• Program planning.

• Principles, practices, tools and techniques of project management.

• Principles and practices of sound business communications.

• Principles and practices of effective management and supervision.

• City human resources policies and labor contract provisions.

Skill in:

• Developing policy and programmatic solutions to evolving issues; integrating such solutions with other municipal goals.

• Performing difficult and complex analyses and research.

• Representing the City effectively in negotiations and other dealings on a variety of difficult, complex, sensitive and confidential issues.

• Presenting proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively in public meetings.

• Preparing and delivering reports and presentations in comprehensive and succinct formats.

• Delivering efficient and courteous customer service.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct, manage and integrate a broad program of centralized management, finance, human resources, and administrative services.

• Define complex management, finance, budget and administrative issues; perform difficult and complex analyses and research; evaluate alternatives and develop sound conclusions and recommendations.

• Analyze, interpret and explain proposed legislation and programs in terms of their implications and impacts on City programs, operations and sources of revenue.

• Exercise critical thinking, discretion, and confidentiality in fast-paced and emotionally charged situations.

• Balance long-term and short-term goals; identify and set priorities.

• Build relationships with internal and external partners.

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Identify and eliminate barriers to success with existing resources.

• Demonstrate need for additional resources to accomplish goals.

• Exercise seasoned management and political acumen, tact, and diplomacy in dealing with complex, sensitive, and confidential issues.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Mayor, City Commissioners, department directors, managers, elected and appointed officials of other; governmental agencies, City employees, business and community leaders, the media, and City residents encountered in the course of work.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIRED

Terms:

Union: Non-Union

Salary/Grade: CDH

Hours Per Week: 35