Senior Manager-Strategic Priorities

Description

Position at Long Island Rail Road

Job Title: Senior Manager- Strategic Priorities

Department: President's Office

MTA Agency: LIRR

Primary Location: Queens, NY

Salary Range/Additional Compensation Details: $110,233 - $137,791

Regulated/ Safety Sensitive: No

Union Affiliation: None

Closing Date (if applicable): Open Until Filled

Shift (if applicable): Regular

Other:

About LIRR:

Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles - from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.

JOB SUMMARY:

The LIRR Senior Manager Strategic Priorities identifies, executes and coordinates strategies that improve effectiveness, efficiency, or service quality. This position will steer many initiatives that are essential to achieving the agency goals and objectives. Additionally, this position will work with Senior Management to address key operational, strategic and policy issues by instilling best practices, analyzing relevant data and leveraging modernization opportunities. This position is responsible for continuous improvement within the agency that is essential to fostering a culture of data-driven decision making and general high performance as well as providing the oversight, direction, and coordination of operational related statistics and data across the LIRR operating departments including the Engineering, Maintenance of Equipment, Rolling Stock, Security, Service Planning, Stations, and Transportation Departments. In addition, this position will be responsible for creating project work plans, setting goals and reporting on departmental metrics and initiatives. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing current business practices and service quality and performance goals, providing recommendations, implementing initiatives to improve efficiencies in all operating department functions as well as tracking and reporting on departmental progress. Using business analytics and intelligence tools, this position will prepare and present information and updates to all levels of the agency as well as senior staff and MTA Headquarters.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working with all operating divisions, compile and analyze metrics and data and review for trends and areas of concern as well as areas/functions that may have opportunities for efficiencies. Ensure data and metrics support departmental goals and initiatives. Prepare and document information for senior staff, MTA Headquarters, and other agencies, as needed. Support the work of the Strategic Priorities team by leading high-profile initiatives for senior management that improve the agency's economic efficiency, service quality and overall performance.
• Execute projects critical to reshaping the Long Island Rail Road into a more innovative and cost effective agency. The Senior Manager, Strategic Priorities will have responsibility for executing the quantitative/analytical side of each project as well as supporting the project management/implementation side.
• Perform ongoing review of departmental business, service, performance, and operational practices and functions and provide recommendations for efficiencies. Create project work plans to implement recommendations and efficiencies that support departmental goals and initiatives as well as projected timelines. Work with operating divisions to ensure full support and buy-in for strategic initiatives. Conduct field or site visits, as necessary, to review practices and functions.
• Using business analytics/intelligence tools, measure progress against goals and deadlines for all departmental and agency operational goals, initiatives, and newly implemented efficiencies. Work with operating departments establishing key performance indicators to measure their performance and benchmark against peer networks.
• Attend inter-agency meetings to collaborate on agency-wide initiatives; represent the LIRR at Committee and MTA Board meetings or other meetings and present LIRR operational data, as needed.
• Participate in benchmarking and peer reviews with other operating agencies and learn best in class processes. Develop relationships with personnel at peer operating agencies, benchmarking groups and public transportation advocacy groups.
• Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management.
• Select, develop and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review direct reports and approve performance appraisals. Promote safe work practices and provide safe working conditions. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential. Ensure a safe working environment and adherence to guidelines of company safety policies and procedures. Lead by example.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable.
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable.
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable.
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable.
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Operational Analytics, Transportation, Information Technology, or a related area, with a minimum of 5-7 years of work experience, 2 of which ideally have been in management consulting or a related field. Examples of related fields include, working with the budget of a large public or private company in budget administration, accounting, economic or financial administration, cost benefit analysis, or fiscal or economic research; in management or methods analysis, performance analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, budget planning, fiscal management or in a related area. In lieu of the degree, 9-11 years of demonstrated, directly related equivalent experience and education may be considered.
• 5 years of Management consulting or a related field. Demonstrated, directly related equivalent experience and education may be considered.
• Ability to relate to people across the organization spectrum to establish trust and rapport.
• Ability to work with large data sets, evaluate data quality, use data to answer analytic questions, and develop data-driven performance measures.
• Proven project management skills, including ability to define a work plan, establish goals, and deliver high-quality work products on time.
• Ability to evaluate complex processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact and communicate effectively with all levels of employees are required.
• Analytical, research and problem-solving skills with the ability to think outside of the box and implement creative solutions are required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point) and experience with business analytics/intelligence tools are required.
• Ability to be flexible, multi-task and manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

Preferred:

Prior experience working in a transportation environment

Other Information:

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the position, the selection process may include, but is not limited to, a pre-screening assessment (i.e., physical, written and/ or practical evaluation) and interview. Candidates forfeit further consideration in the process if they fail to participate in any step of the process when scheduled. Make up dates/times will not be given. Current MTA employees must be in their current position for 12 months before applying and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record. A record of more than ten sick days without medical documentation in two of the last three years is considered unsatisfactory attendance. Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview due to the competitive selection process. A medical examination and safety sensitive drug/alcohol test may also be required.

Pursuant 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").

Equal Employment Opportunity:

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.