Basic Function

Oversees, manages, and executes plans, policies, and frameworks for projects for an executive unit that may have broad organization-wide impact; coordinates and oversees the work of assigned staff on related projects or assignments.

Metro′s Office of Strategic Innovation (OSI) is seeking up to three Senior Director, Special Projects (Innovation) to help lead one of OSI′s core functions: 1. Strategic Planning, 2. Partnerships and 3. Olympics and Major Events; and all positions will also have an opportunity to collaborate on innovation projects across teams and agency-wide.

Strategic Planning: Leads strategic planning processes to ensure that Metro is achieving its goals. Manages updates to and monitors the implementation of Metro′s strategic plan. Helps to lead select projects identified in the strategic plan such as pricing pilots. Coordinates and oversee the work of assigned staff and consultants on related projects.

Partnerships: Leads and manages OSI Partnership efforts and oversees the development and implementation of project development support tools including the Unsolicited Proposals Policy, Visionary Seed Fund, Test Station Committee, Zero Emission Bus Alternative Delivery Working Group, and other transportation innovation demonstration and research projects. Establishes partnerships with public, private, research, and non-profit organizations.

Olympics and Major Events: Helps Metro welcome the world by preparing for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics and leaving permanent transportation improvements after the games. Helps to manage the implementation of the Games Mobility Concept Plan and innovate and pilot transportation strategies at other major events in the lead-up to the Games.

Example Of Duties

• Directs the evaluation, development, and implementation of multiple projects that may have major financial or operational impact to the department or Metro

• Oversees, manages, and executes project or program delivery strategies

• Manages staff execution of key workstreams and tasks

• Scopes and oversees consultant support workstreams

• Directs cross-functional development teams to address departmental issues

• Works cross functionally with other departments to understand needs and strategic direction and ensure that department is aligned to meet client′s support requirements utilizing existing processes and tools and identifying areas for new solution development

• Directs the development of business plans, objectives, initiatives, policies, and strategies for department or program

• Evaluates issues that have an impact on department and/or Metro and facilitates executive decision making

• Directs coordination of process and systems analysis, and oversees the development and recommendation of solutions, enhancements, testing, and implementation activities for assigned projects

• Develops recommendations for policy and administrative procedural changes that contribute toward continuous improvement and streamlining efforts

• Develops short- and long-range plans; establishes priorities and goals/objectives for functional department

• Develops, studies, and reports to evaluate productivity of functional areas and eliminate impediments to peak performance

• Directs the preparation of capital project budgets, monitors and controls expenditures, initiates procurements, and approves payment of invoices

• Develops financial and administrative studies and reports

• Directs and participates in the preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs); participates in proposal evaluation, vendor/consultant selection, and contract negotiation processes; monitors progress of consultants, develops and manages consulting budgets, and recommends payment for services

• Presents monthly status briefing to executive management and compiles monthly published reports for financial staff, FTA (Federal Transit Administration), and Metro′s executive office, as required

• Represents department to the public and press

• Supervises, coordinates, oversees, trains, mentors, and motivates assigned employees

• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Requirements For Employment

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a two-for-one year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of management-level experience overseeing capital and/or other project management functions

Certifications/Licenses

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQ's) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQ's will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQ's will not automatically be selected.

• Experience leading, advising and overseeing staff to achieve project and organizational goals
• Experience managing complex projects, integrating interdisciplinary teams, and developing and implementing work plans and budgets
• Experience designing, implementing, and developing innovative solutions and pilot projects to improve public transportation or other public services
• Experience establishing and managing external partnerships with public, private, non-profit and/or research partners
• Experience implementing strategic planning and organizational change management
• Experience managing the planning, logistics or transportation for major events

Knowledge:

• Theories, principles, practices, and tools of project management and development

• Transportation planning, engineering, construction, and operations

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing policies, trends, strategies, and developments for areas such as project management, the transportation industry, environmental impact

• Public and transportation project finance and funding

• Capital budget development and administration

• Public procurement policies and procedures

• New and emerging technology and innovation practices

• Modern management theory

• Applicable business software applications

Skills:

• Program/project management and development

• Managing projects from inception to culmination

• Determining strategies to achieve goals

• Critical thinking and synthesis of ideas and concepts

• Policy research, analysis, and development

• Building consensus and support around new concepts and innovations

• Coordinating, facilitating, and motivating internal and external clients to make sound business decisions

• Developing and implementing policies, procedures and strategies

• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes

• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions and solving complex problems

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

• Preparing comprehensive written correspondence, analyses, recommendations, and public reports

• Providing oral and written presentations and briefings for senior decision makers

• Interacting professionally with various levels of employees and outside representatives

Abilities:

• Develop new concepts and ideas to improve program/project performance that adhere to Metro policy and applicable rules, laws, and regulations

• Analyze project information to develop and implement recommendations

• Quickly obtain, analyze, and synthesize information

• Write and speak concisely and persuasively

• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships

• Manage multiple stakeholders at various levels of seniority from a range of disciplines

• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements

• Plan financial and resource needs

• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.