Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Capital Projects Operational Technology

JOB TITLE:                          Deputy Chief Technology Officer, Capital Projects Operational Technology 

SALARY RANGE:                $210,857 - $248,881

HAY POINTS:                      1510

DEPT/DIV:                           Information Technology

SUPERVISOR:                     Chief Technology Officer

LOCATION:                         Various/ 2 Broadway New York, NY 10004

HOURS OF WORK:            9:00 am - 5:30 pm (7.5 hours/day) or as required)

This position is eligible for telework which is currently two days per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

 Summary:

This position is an IT executive management role that is responsible for the highly complex and specialized portfolio, comprised of Operational and Information Technology eco system related to MTA-wide capital projects across 4500 square miles, over 700 million dollars in expenditure, and consisting of over 1200 specific initiatives, targeted to be standardized under the Capital IT Program.

There are thousands of capital projects included in the various MTA Capital Programs. The IT Capital Project Portfolio is comprised of numerous high-visibility projects and a wide scope of responsibilities, necessitating a dedicated business unit of experienced staff and a direct reporting line to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This structure allows the Deputy Chief Technology Officer (DCTO) of Capital Projects and Operational Technology to ensure quality, manage IT-related financials and resource requirements, and integrate technology (255 OT and 300 IT applications) into MTA-wide capital mega initiatives.

This position is also responsible for working closely with All Operating Agencies, NYCT, MNR, LIRR, B&T, and C&D to align operational technology resources to capital projects. This is intended to ensure consistent implementation of IT standards to align with MTA goals of maximizing efficiency, optimizing resources, and prioritizing safety and security. This position requires strong collaboration with senior level executives across the Enterprise including the MTA Board, the MTA Construction & Development, MTA Agencies, and with other IT DCTOs.

By operating as an independent, highly specialized business unit, the Deputy CTO drives the CTO's vision, strategy, and complex business requirements directly related to train and bus operations and champions innovation, efficiency, and risk management across capital projects and OT. This structure enhances value creation for the organization and ensures effective coordination across executive level stakeholders.

 Responsibilities:

IT Integration Across Capital Projects: Drives the inclusion of IT and OT in the planning, design, bid, and build phases ACROSS ALL capital projects to ensure technology solutions align with project objectives and organizational standards. Leads the IT capital project team in adopting leading management approaches, to meet the project requirements and drive operational efficiency.

• Strategic IT Solutioning: Leverages extensive knowledge across a variety of IT and OT domains to architect and implement innovative capital project solutions that may include, but are not limited to software architecture, database management, data analytics and operational technologies pertinent to capital projects.
• IT Procurement Strategy: Plays a key role in the strategy development, requirements, and bid process for the procurement of operational and information technology components, including hardware, software, and services to ensure that short-term technological advancements are seamlessly integrated into long-duration capital projects to facilitate ongoing modernization and sustainability.
• Supplier Relationship Management & Vendor Assessment: Cultivates strategic relationships with suppliers to stay informed about technology, equipment, costs, and contractual terms to optimize investments and meet customer service levels. Conducts thorough assessments of bids from contractors and suppliers, focusing on their technology solutions and relevant experience and selected bidder’s ability to meet IT and OT requirements and adhere to IT standards.
• Performance Metrics & Value Tracking: Establishes key performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness and quality of technology solutions, while actively seeking feedback from users and stakeholders to identify enhancement opportunities for continuous performance improvement.
• Financial Stewardship: Ensures effective financial management and budgeting of IT/OT capital program components, including financial forecasting and ROI calculations and cost-benefit analyses to minimize expenses and maximize value of IT-related investments.
• Accountability and Resource Optimization: Develops and oversees the IT internal transfer pricing strategy to allocate costs and support usage optimization for IT/OT resources (equipment, technology, or people) contributions to capital projects
• Strategic Risk Management & Mitigation: Adapts the IT risks framework for capital projects to identify, assess, manage, and monitor unique risks that could potentially impact project objectives and IT operations
• Transition to Operations & Maintenance: Provides strategic guidance during the build phase of all IT capital projects. Oversees the sourcing of necessary materials and human capital to support successful completion in alignment with MTA’s standards. Facilitates the seamless transition of responsibilities to the I&O team for delivery and continuous maintenance.

Operational Technology Oversight: Harnesses extensive IT knowledge to develop capital project solutions inclusive of operational technology. Partners with the MTA Agencies to assess new technologies and solutions that would strengthen IT/OT. This role is responsible for the expansion of standardization efforts by establishing consistent standards across OT, while optimizing delivery and alignment with broader goals for security, safety, and efficiency.

• Operational Technology Strategy: Oversees the strategic management of operational technology, maintaining optimization and adherence to IT standards, policies, and service delivery protocols. Facilitates effective coordination between IT and OT in capital projects, ensuring IT's integral role in decision-making during the project lifecycle.
• Operational Technology Governance: Spearheads initiatives to expand standardization across operational technology by establishing consistent practices that enhance delivery while aligning with overarching goals for security, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Cross-Enterprise Partnerships: Champions high-performing IT and OT teams to support capital projects and expand unified standards. Engages with MTA Agencies to support cross-functional collaboration and integrate cutting-edge technologies that enhance operational efficiencies and drive innovation across the organization.
• Matrixed Resource Management: Establishes a governance model to ensure that over 300 OT staff meet standard qualifications and certifications (as appropriate) and understand IT requirements for operating technology across all MTA Agencies.

Strategic Advisory: Represents IT on behalf of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as directed and owns the IT relationship with C&D for MTA capital projects. Ensures IT/OT support across capital projects. Leads the implementation and adoption of innovative technology solutions to drive growth and efficiency.

• Advisory Role: Advises the CTO on IT strategy for capital programs and project prioritization, providing insights on emerging technologies and industry trends to inform decision-making. Collaborates to refine the technology roadmap, ensuring alignment of IT and OT strategies with overall business objectives.
• CTO Representative: Serves in the role of the CTO to advocate for IT standards across the enterprise. Oversees the operational technology (equipment, technology and resources) across the Agencies through a matrixed model.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Serves as liaison between CTO and MTA executives to ensure alignment on technology priorities and resource allocation among cross-functional IT teams.
• Enhancing Innovation: Fosters a culture of innovation by championing investments in emerging technologies that align with MTA standards, enhancing productivity and sustainability while ensuring agility in a rapidly evolving market.

Stakeholder Engagement: Partners and collaborates with several stakeholder groups, including but not limited to, the CTO, MTA Board, C&D, MTA IT Steering Committee, Agency Presidents, and senior functional executives to integrate IT and OT perspectives and resources that meet quality standards into all capital projects lifecycles in a timely and cost-efficient manner. In this executive role, it is essential to be a key member of the DCTO leadership team and to align closely with peers, which includes those within C&D: Project CEOs, SVPs of Delivery Business Units, Deputy Chief Development Officers, the President of C&D, the Chief Development Officer, and their direct reports.

• Cross-Agency Collaboration: Aligns various leaders across IT, OT, and C&D to build cross-functional teams, promote diverse perspectives, and develop innovative solutions for capital projects.
• Alignment to IT Standards: Establishes and upholds a unified technology governance and standardization by working closely with various stakeholders and communicating the universal standards.
• Foster Stakeholder Buy-In: Cultivates stakeholder support for investments into emerging technologies through a matrixed communication system.
• Council Stewardship: Promotes participation in the IT All-Agency Technology Review Council and Engineering Review Board, fostering collaboration and alignment across the organization.

DCTO Standard Responsibilities:

• Confirms that the IT and OT strategy aligns to the broader CTO strategy.   
• Oversees the governance process to ensure technology projects are designed and implemented in accordance with MTA standards and frameworks. 
• Monitors overall IT performance to include meeting goals and performance metrics.  May also include overseeing portfolio of projects are completed on time and on budget; smooth operation of systems and infrastructure; ensuring technology investments are in line with overall strategy and that ROI is provided to customers and/or business partners; personnel, contractors and vendors are meeting performance expectations.
• Leads and cultivates a culture of innovation. Recognizes and exploits business opportunities through new, emerging technologies or solutions to explore new ways for IT to provide services to the stakeholders. This may include the identification of new and emerging hardware, software and communication technologies and products, services, methods and techniques and the assessment of their relevance and potential value to enable business, improve cost or performance, or create sustainable practices.
• Ensures that IT personnel understand and adhere to the policies and procedures to ensure system security and compliance with regulations. May oversee the development or revisions to and governance of policies and procedures to incorporate new or leading practices pertaining to functional areas.
• Manages business relationships and customers at the most senior level. Collaborate with peer Deputy CTOs, relevant stakeholders across MTA, and the CTO
• Develops the strategy and governance process to manage and mitigate risks within the Division. Provides guidance on escalated risks and issues.  May escalate to the Chief Technology Officer if applicable.
• Manages, coaches and develops Senior Directors, Directors and other direct reports.  Provides regular positive and constructive feedback on performance and executes annual performance reviews. Provides opportunities to enhance skills.
• Leads by example and instill ways of working that demonstrate MTA core values.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.
• Observes the work performed by the contractor.
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible.
• Escalates issues to other parties as needed.
• Reviewing invoices and approving them if the work had contractual standards.

Required Qualifications: 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or related fields or equivalent experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

Experience: Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience with a minimum of six years supervisory/management experience.

 Knowledge & Skills: 

Technical Skills

• Expert knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks, including software architecture architectural styles and methodologies. 
• Expert knowledge of software architecture patterns and best practices.
• Expert knowledge of application development, modern programming language frameworks and developmental practices to help tackle technical challenges. 
• Expert in providing IT and OT technical analysis to ensure transactions and work are compliant with regulations.  
• Expert in innovation management, such as managing the IT/OT innovation process from ideation to implementation.  
• Expert in developing and delivering technical training programs to enhance the capabilities of IT staff and project teams.  
• Expert in financial planning and budgeting for technology investments and resources for capital programs.
• Familiarity with network security (e.g., firewalls, network ports, etc.) and connecting enterprise networks to the cloud. 
• Familiarity with practical Linux and Windows-based systems administration in a Cloud or Virtualized environment 
• Familiarity with networking virtualization technologies and platforms such as VMware NSX Cisco ACI.
• Familiarity with performance monitoring systems to track functionality of various teams and projects.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP modeling.  
• Strong experience with financial/budgeting planning and management experience. 

DCTO Standard Technical Skills

• Expert ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Expert knowledge of software development processes and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum, DevOps) and experience in coding with one or more programming languages.
• Expert in project management tools and techniques, and the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously.
• Expert in planning, organizing and supervising production, manufacturing, or the provision of services.
• Familiarity with system architecture principles and experience in designing scalable, secure, and efficient systems.
• Familiarity with of database technologies, data warehousing, big data, and data analytics tools.
• Familiarity with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and experience in cloud migration, cloud architecture, and cloud security.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles, threat landscapes, and experience in implementing security protocols and measures.
• Familiarity with network infrastructure, including LAN/WAN, internet technologies, and network protocols.
• Familiarity of IT trends and emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, IoT, blockchain, and the ability to assess their potential impact on the organization.

Leadership Skills

• Expert leadership in leading change by developing inter/intra team communication and cohesiveness; sustainment of culture and supporting staff during organizational growth/changes.
• Expert leadership in leading people by working with staff to develop systems to ensure consistent, high-quality project management discipline for all technology related initiatives and endeavors.
• Expert leadership in driving results by meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
• Expert leadership in business acumen by providing direction on evaluation, selection, implementation, and maintenance of information systems, ensuring appropriate investment in strategic and operational systems.

Expert leadership in building coalition by internally and externally building partnerships with key stakeholders to help achieve the MTA’s mission or common goals through influence or negations.

Behavioral Skills 

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, provide coaching and direct feedback. 
• Expert in cultivating and managing executive-level relationships to drive strategic partnerships and organizational success.
• Expert in active listening, attention to detail, customer service, prioritization, and problem-solving skills. 
• Expert in working independently and strategically. 
• Expert in identifying and analyzing risks and developing effective mitigation strategies. 
• Expert technical knowledge and diverse skillset to understand various technologies, systems, and potential risks. 
• Expert in critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 

Competencies:   

General:  

• May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.