Senior Director, Strategy and Policy - Safety & Readiness

Job Description

Marketing Statement:

This is an exciting opportunity to drive strategic change and support executive decision-making at Metro. The Senior Director of Strategy and Policy for the department of Safety & Readiness will report to the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Safety & Readiness Officer. You will interact with all parts of the agency, and directly support the Safety, Training, Quality, Accessibility and Occupational Health & Wellness teams in your EVP's portfolio. You will lead a small team to directly support your EVP with everyday strategic prioritization, staff coordination, project management, stakeholder management, and organizational communication and engagement. Collaboration is key to your success in a fast-moving, dynamic and forward-looking team.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor degree in Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, Transportation, Planning, or related fields.
  
  

Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated successful experience in overall policy analysis, strategy development, or project management within a large-scale organization. Experience must include:
• At least five (5) years in a supervisory management capacity, directing both subordinate staff and consultants
• Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, and implementing complex, high-profile project and programs.
• Experience within a passenger railroad or transit environment
• Experience interfacing with Federal oversight authorities, elected officials, and other high-level officials
• Relevant graduate education can count towards two (2) years of work experience.
  

Certification/Licensure

• N/A
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or other graduate degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, Public Policy, Law, or related fields.
  
  

Medical Group

Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Strategy and Policy serves as a member of the senior leadership team within a key business organization of Metro, tasked with defining, overseeing and/or supporting high- profile initiatives to improve agency economic efficiency, service quality and overall performance goals, aligned with the vision of the Authority. The incumbent facilitates and participates in ensuring streamlined activities within the organization based on the Executive Vice President's (EVP) priorities and serves as a conduit between the EVP and internal stakeholders and acts as the EVP¿s trusted counsel for critical matters within the EVP¿s purview. Duties include, enhancing the efficiency, safety and reliability of Metro through automation technologies, managing and coordinating high level activities and collaborative efforts, analyzing departmental business metrics and making recommendations to improve internal business processes.

Essential Functions

• Provides vision, leadership and strategic direction for long term policy and planning driving alignment towards execution and implementation of agency goals
• Proactively, examines existing internal operational and business processes, identifies any issues that could impact the successful execution of the EVP¿s commitments and makes recommendations for improvements. Works closely with senior management and analysts within a specific organization and other agency- wide departments to develop such business solutions.
• Serves as EVP¿s liaison and supports the needs of internal leadership in their ability to raise critical issues with the EVP and receive needed responses, guidance and decisions, to ensure expeditious resolution on issues and/or to provide necessary resources, as appropriate, to ensure resolution.
• Leads, builds and maintain effective, collaborative strategic partnership and relationships with the immediate business operation executive, Executive Management Team, Board of Directors, other senior leaders, and stakeholders in achieving business results and organizational objectives
• Plans, coordinates and oversees the department¿s overall administrative, budget and operational activities, procedures and staff.
• Directs and coordinates program development, evaluation and implementation of rail automation technologies ensuring safety, regulatory compliance
• Directs and supervises subordinate staff to include recommending applicant selection, disciplinary actions and resolutions of grievances, assigning duties, directing work, approving leave requests and time sheets, and ensuring appropriate staff training is provided.
  
  

Other Functions

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.
  
  

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report
  
  

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.