Chief Operating Officer - Planning & Innovation

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES: The Chief Operating Officer of Planning & Innovation provides leadership and strategic direction to the Planning, Innovation and Scheduling Departments at the Mass Transportation Authority. This position is responsible for identifying needs and opportunities in the community, leading public engagement efforts, development and refinement of projects, plans, and policies; research analysis, support of short- and long-term strategic goals of the organization and supervision of key staff to support the goals of the organization. The COO is also the primary position responsible for managing, monitoring, and reporting on the status of the MTA’s asset management program for both current use and long-range forecasting.

SUPERVISED BY: Chief of Staff

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide senior leadership and supervision for the Planning and Innovation division for the purpose of developing a high-performance team that can deliver services effectively and efficiently in a changing environment.
• Participate in senior agency leadership to ensure the development and success of the overall organization.
• Explore, plan, and implement MTA’s special projects and strategic initiatives, including the development and implementation of the strategic plan and long-range strategic initiatives, as determined by the General Manager/CEO.
• Monitor changing federal and state regulatory requirements, including National Transit Database (NTD) and Title VI to ensure compliance. Submit reports and other documentation as required.
• Lead selected program-based special projects that require cross-functional engagement with key staff across the organization, and with external stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Supervise Planning and Innovation department staff and activities, including transportation planning, route and service design analysis; federal and state reporting; development of performance indicators; development and publishing of Five-Year Plan and Program.
• Ensure effective and efficient approaches to resource management throughout the division for the purposes of delivering agreed upon results.
• Ensure appropriate methodologies are used for all aspects of planning work including needs assessments, public involvement, surveys, field work, etc.
• Manage MTA’s relationship with key external stakeholders, both locally and nationally
• Represent MTA’s interests at external meetings including speaking at key conferences
• Lead and manage the development of annual and multi-year service plans and special event plans. Develop and confirm projections of future costs and revenues for budgeting processes.
• Lead the development and updating of a framework of policies, practices, procedures, standards, and guidelines that ultimately define transit services. Ensure services are designed to comply with applicable national, state, and local transportation regulations, human rights laws, labor laws, and local and regional policies and practices.
• Assist Chief Financial Officer in developing plans for fare structures and pricing.
• Assist the finance department in identifying opportunities for funding that would advance the agency’s goals.
• Ensure that complex planning issues are communicated in a clear concise manner to various audiences including management, board members, co-workers, politicians, the public, passengers, and stakeholders. Develop effective communication tools as needed including reports, executive summaries, presentations, etc.
• Facilitate coordination with other agencies and organizations to address transportation needs in the community and secure funding for community-based initiatives.
• Oversee the agency’s bus stop development program including coordination with the Facilities/ Maintenance Department.
• Other job duties as assigned

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to write clear, structured, and persuasive funding proposals
• Innovative and detail-oriented
• Analytical skills to interpret research data for reports and grant applications
• Ability to multitask and manage projects effectively to meet firm deadlines
• Strong computer skills; must be comfortable with performing extensive internet research
• Possess a thorough understanding of federal and state regulations regarding funding and operation of public transportation

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited four-year college or university in Urban Planning, Transportation, Engineering, Public Accounting, or a related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
• A minimum of eight years of progressively more responsible leadership roles related to government administration, preferably in a public transit agency, large operational agency, or similar environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Typical of an office environment

Salary Range: $119,134 - $159,500