Director Strategic Initiatives

This position is eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.    

Opening:

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.

Position Objective:

This position will lead at least two interdepartmental task forces including coordination of agency Strategic Initiative groups at MTA agencies will encourage agencies to identify multi-agency areas of opportunity thereby increasing savings. Coordinate three or four functional working groups such as non-revenue fleet management.

Responsibilities:

• Work on high-profile initiatives for MTA executive leadership to improve MTA’s economic efficiency, service quality, and overall performance.
• Work with the BSC to structure and then mine data available through MTA's databases to identify areas of opportunity for more efficient or cost-effective operations.
• Lead interdepartmental MTAHQ and interagency working groups to execute projects critical to reshaping MTA into a more innovative and cost-effective agency.
• Lead in managing Strategic Initiatives efforts towards realizing ‘best practices’ (i.e. HR processes, operational work processes, workers compensation management, availability management, etc.) in HQ and agency decision-making processes, particularly with regard to responsibly managing operational and administrative costs; develop and manage best practice Consultant Panels to encourage better decision-making and consideration of energy issues.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to identify opportunities for improved business practices through coordination with agency Strategic Initiative Units, and analysis of budget or BSC data trends.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with agency personnel to identify and incorporate best practices into agency operations. This involves learning about agency practices, performing a comparative analysis of practices and results, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Make recommendations for pragmatic business transformation strategies based on these insights and work with agency staff to implement these transformations. Frequently areas of analysis will be those where HQ has traditionally not been involved, and agency silos have been in place for many years.
• Overcome agency and external parties’ reluctance to provide data and insights into business practices. Must have the ability to navigate both public and private sector business worlds.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an established record of successfully completing projects by obtaining group consensus and cooperation among people with no direct reporting relationship to the position.
• Excellent quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, together with demonstrated proficiency in business case development and implementation planning.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the talent to discern different contexts and audiences and to reach consensus on strategy.
• Must be able to follow through with implementation in a complex organization and assess the need for adjustments to achieve success.
• Must be capable of building a strong and successful network, developing new relationships, and influencing decision-makers.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in team and/or group settings, including team process and staff development skills.
• Ability to prioritize among competing needs and opportunities and manage multiple projects at the same time.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in place of a degree; and
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in consulting, finance, public administration, or public transportation agency.
• Minimum of 2-5 years managerial experience in a large corporate or government organization with responsibility for identifying, analyzing, and implementing new business practices and strategies.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Master’s degree in a related field.

Other Information

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.

According 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”).

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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

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