| GENERAL PURPOSE: Unlike other transit agencies, Sound Transit provides service delivery through a variety of regional area transit partnerships. As such, the ED-OPS is responsible for exceptional leadership, oversight, and collaboration in ensuring safe, financially affordable, and timely transit service that meets Agency standards for customer experience through strong partner relationships and operational contract management. The ED-OPS, actively collaborating with the passenger experience department, ensures that a passenger-focus culture exists within the Operations organization, infusing decisions with a view to guaranteeing safe and reliable service for our riders. Further, the ED-OPS, in collaboration with our capital expansion divisions, ensures our passengers and the long-term maintenance of our facilities is at the forefront of decision making from planning and through construction. Under the general direction of Deputy CEO, Chief Expansion and Delivery Officer, the Executive Director, Operation (ED-OPS) plans, directs, manages, and provides strategic direction the following divisions: Service Operations Partnership Management, Transportation and Maintenance, Operations Assets and Technology, Transit Facilities and Systems Maintenance, and Operations Support Services. Manages, directs, and provides leadership of the above programmatic multimodal transit functions and integrates their work with other Agency departments; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies. Additional information pertaining to this position will be made available on our Careers page at soundtransit.org/jobs shortly. Be sure to check back for the details! Interested applicants must apply directly to the posting, include a resume and cover letter, and complete the screening questions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
• Participates as an active member of the agency’s System Expansion and Delivery Council and assists the DCEO and the executive team in identifying key challenges and opportunities and in developing and implementing effective responses the changing landscape of service delivery and project implementation, working to position Sound Transit for ongoing success. Provides strategic advice to the CEO, DCEO and other organization leaders.
• Defines a multi-level, agencywide governance approach for operating partners that centers partnership relations on effective business outcomes, superior passenger experience, and future delivery system transformation by defining a clear integrated partner management structure, setting specific service operations goal targets, service levels, and measures of performance; establishes consistent management, treatment, and control of data and assets. Ensures relationship structure, governance processes, and contract management norms are effective, consistent, well-controlled, monitored and continuously improved.
• Oversees the administration and management of assigned contracts involving public and private service operation contractors to ensure contract agreements and quality service standards are met; manages, oversees, and participates in contract negotiations; monitors administration of terms and conditions and budget performance; implements corrective actions when needed; oversees the management of third party partner agreements to maintain partnerships and ensure compliance and accountability; assists in the development of future contracting strategies and negotiation of terms and conditions; negotiates solutions to conceptual issues involving policy and direction change and effectively leads and influences internal and external decision makers and stakeholders; assists deputies and program managers with development and administration of contract terms; ensures agreed upon services are completed within the scope, schedule, and budget and that all objectives are successfully met.
• Drives performance by creating an agency-wide culture of excellence that maximizes internal and external customer focus; sets clear and challenging goals for departments ensuring these functions collaborate and create efficient cross-functional processes and teams to work effectively while addressing the agency’s mission.
• Drives performance by actively leading and managing the culture change necessary for creating a best-in-class transit system and acting as a change agent by communicating the need for change while modeling and enforcing new behaviors and norms for the department and creating and promoting an inclusive and positive work environment.
• Participates in organizational design, staffing, recruitment, and succession planning efforts, as needed and as the operating system expands. Coaches, trains, and motivates staff; facilitates staff training; manages employee relations staff performance and takes appropriate corrective action when necessary; and provides advice and counsel to staff and guidance to agency leaders on establishing professional growth and development plans for staff.
• Provides leadership and direction to the Operations Department managers and staff to ensure that all service delivery and maintenance programs for commuter rail, light rail, bus programs, and associated support areas, including transit facilities, are performed to appropriate standards; identifies and develop programs to assist in attainment of Agency and departmental goals for service delivery, cost efficiency, reliability, safety, and overall continuous improvement; identifies areas in need of improved processes and management approaches to generate higher productivity, compliance and efficiencies and to optimize workflow; provides guidance to deputies and program managers; leads efforts to identify risks and strategies, mitigates impact of issues that affect operations, maintenance and costs; assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; establishes work groups and supporting working policies; identifies opportunities for improvement and directs and implements changes; recommends appropriate service and staffing levels for assigned department, divisions, programs, and functional areas; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; and allocates resources accordingly.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with key stakeholders including contractors, transit agency partners, federal, state and local officials, and Sound Transit Board members; focuses department and division efforts on work plans intended to provide transit service; monitors compliance with identified division objectives and work scope commitments; makes decisions and takes action regarding the administration and management of short and long term transit service plans.
• Promotes agency efforts to advance strategic asset management and enables staff to fully engage in long term asset management planning efforts.
• Translates broad organizational goals and strategies into operational objectives and practical action plans for the Department; provides high level direction in terms of department goals and provide effective strategic management and direction that supports those goals and objectives; provides strategic level advice and counsel to the Deputy CEO as well as executive management team regarding major policy and problem solving issues; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; negotiates solutions to major conceptual issues involving policy and direction change.
• Develops, administers, maintains, and oversees the annual budgets of assigned divisions through subordinate division managers, as well as the Operations Departmental budget; makes recommendations and forecasts for future funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; reviews and approves department expenditures and implements adjustments; directs the preparation of and administration of capital budgets for divisions that align with organizational work plans and objectives; and prepares or approves budget presentations and make presentations to decision makers to gain approval for procurements.
• Provides support to the Deputy CEO on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; coordinates and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to include executives, governmental officials, and regulatory representatives of other local, state, and federal agencies; develops strategies and communicates with federal and local legislatures; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned. Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) |
