Executive Director

The Bay Area Transportation Authority

Seeks an Experienced and Progressive Executive to Serve as Executive Director

TransPro Executive Placement, leaders in public sector executive recruitment, is pleased to present the following opportunity.

Job Title:        Executive Director

Description:  The Executive Director leads and directs daily public transportation operations for the region of Traverse City, Michigan, and provides strategic leadership and guidance to the Board of Directors.  

Salary Range:         $145,290.00 – $176,528.00 / Year 

Why BATA: The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) provides more than 400,000 rides per year, connecting the residents and guests of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties to work, school, shopping, recreational activities, and to each other. Services include fixed routes within Traverse City (City Loop), frequent fare-free service along the Grand Traverse Bays (Bayline), regular connections to outlying communities (Village Loop), and on-demand transportation (Link). In 2024 BATA completed the construction of a state-of-the art $30 million operations headquarters capital project positioning the organization for future growth. The urban area of Grand Traverse County was recently designated as a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), medical center, and BATA is in its first year of operation as a small urban transit system. BATA is committed to continuous improvement and is known as a leader in the transit industry demonstrating innovative and creative solutions to challenges facing the organization and its community.

The region BATA serves is known for its year-round natural beauty with trails, beaches, lakes and four seasons all nestled along Lake Michigan. Highlights of the area include the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, award-winning wineries and rolling cherry orchards. The community has seen consistent growth over the past 10 years and features award winning schools and the largest health care system in Northern Michigan (Munson).

 Essential Job Functions and Knowledge:

• Provides strategic leadership, guidance and support to the Board and organization by assessing BATA’s current and future strengths and weaknesses to develop, communicate, and implement a shared mission, vision, and strategy which are in alignment with the Authority’s vision and strategy and the community.
  
• Oversees all organizational operations and deploys resources appropriately to accomplish the goals and plans established by the Board of Directors.
• Promotes a systems approach to operational and strategic challenges that is proactive, decisive, results oriented and produced by an open exchange of ideas.
• Anticipates and acts on potential changes in the financial, regulatory, and political changes affecting transit. Develops key relationships that allow BATA access to funding and services.
• Maintains a sound financial status.
• Demonstrates and establishes a standard that BATA is known for providing the highest quality services which meet the needs and requirements of internal and external customers and stakeholders.
• Performs other duties and assumes additional responsibilities as may be determined appropriate by the Board of Directors or as may be required by law.
• Proven skills in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing, and in making presentations in public forums.
• Experience in establishing effective communications with employees, relevant outside organizations and leaders.
• Successful experience working with a Board of Directors
• Knowledge and experience with transit, small urban/urban transit agencies and other public organizations preferred.
• Advocates at State and Federal level for public transit.
• Demonstrates and implements proven strategies to increase ridership and community value.
• Other duties as required.