2025 Leadership Fellow Program

The Leadership Fellow Program is a two-year rotational program at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey open to students who are receiving a graduate degree between December 2024 and June 2025. Over the span of two years, Leadership Fellows have an opportunity to rotate through four different business functions: staff/support department, line department, finance, and facility operations. Rotations provide hands-on experience with an emphasis on experiential learning that include activities such as: leading multifaceted projects; working with internal and external stakeholders; adapting a continuous improvement and innovation mindset; and immersing in teamwork in each rotation. The Leadership Fellow Program includes a variety of professional development programs such as career coaching, mentoring, specialized training, networking sessions, and facility tours. The program is designed to build a strong foundation of business acumen with a strong focus on new skill development and knowledge of The Port Authority as a whole. The breadth and depth of experiences within the program are critical in preparing Fellows to become future leaders of The Port Authority.

Leadership Fellows are full-time, permanent employees and receive a yearly salary and benefits. After successful completion of the program, Leadership Fellows are considered for key positions throughout The Port Authority. As of 2024, there are over 100 program alumni working at the agency across departments like: Aviation; Comptroller; Continuous Improvement; Engineering; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Financial Planning; Human Resources; Operations Services; Management & Budget; PATH; Planning & Regional Development; Port; Procurement; Project Management; Security Operations & Programs; Sustainability; Tunnels Bridges & Terminals; World Trade Center; and more. After graduating from the program, Fellows go on to work in areas such as: business performance/planning; customer experience; finance; operations; policy; process improvement; project/program management; sustainability; data; procurement; technology; and more.

The 2025 cohort is expected to start in the beginning of July.

Responsibilities:

While there’s no typical day for a Leadership Fellow because rotations vary, some examples of responsibilities include:

• Project management
• Event planning
• Community outreach
• Process improvement
• Research
• Assisting with facility operations
• Leading important initiatives that impact the New York and New Jersey region

Rotations:

• Rotations are designed to provide a robust and immersive experience.
• Recent rotations have included work in areas like: sustainability; data; business development; industry relations; project management; process improvement; finance; customer experience; operations; planning; technology; innovation; and much more.

Qualifications:

• Students receiving a graduate degree between December 2024 and June 2025
• Passion for public service
• Openness to rotating through different business functions, including ones that might not necessarily align with your professional background

Desired:

• Graduate degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Urban/City/Regional Planning, Transportation, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Sustainability, Communications, Political Science, Data Science, or a related field
• Excellent problem solving, analytical, quantitative, written/oral communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong customer service
• Political acumen
• One year of work experience (can include internships) in public service, transportation, government, or a related area
• Interest in public transportation

How To Apply:

• Click “Apply Now”
• Follow the prompts
• Please submit the following with your application
  1. Resume that clearly indicates when you’re expected to receive your graduate degree in MM/YYYY format
  2. Cover letter detailing why you’re interested in participating in the Leadership Fellow Program

Recruitment Timeline:

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting in October
• Interviews will likely start in October
• The application deadline is December 1