Works closely with the Chief Innovation Officer to develop and implement Metro’s Innovation Office programs, initiatives, and activities to foster innovation. Leads coordination of Metro’s preparation for major events including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• Provides overall executive management direction in the establishment and development of policies, goals, performance measures, and strategies

• Leads programs in identifying organizational objectives for innovation, facilitating interactions with innovators, and implementing challenging new initiatives

• Consults with and recommends to the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) strategic direction and establishes goals and major priorities for the Office of Innovation

• Leads the internal and external coordination to plan and implement transportation for major events, including the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics

• Designs, implements, and learns from pilot projects to test and identify new transportation strategies and technologies

• Develops strategic partnerships with the Olympics Committee, local, state, and federal agencies, transportation agencies, and other stakeholders

• Establishes procedures in coordination with Metro units/departments to ensure that major event activities conform to Metro policies, federal regulations, and all applicable state and local laws

• Directs the planning, funding, implementation, testing and learning from pilot projects in order to help Metro explore new approaches and to deliver world class transportation

• Prepares and presents written and oral reports and presentations to executive management, the Board of Directors, outside agencies, and the public

• Leads staff in inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration and partnership

• Partners with the academic community, learned transportation professionals, and the private sector to research past and leading-edge ideas and philosophies to address current and anticipated transportation challenges and concerns

• Analyzes, develops, and supervises implementation of innovative means of funding and financing transportation projects and services

• Works with finance and budget to ensure appropriate levels of resource allocations program activities

• Directs the preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

• Advocates Metro′s safety vision; approves and adopts the agency′s safety rules, policies, and procedures; communicates safety expectations; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of the entire agency

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

May be required to perform other related job duties

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of transportation planning, program management, pilot projects, procurement, funding, and public policy

• History, theories, and lessons of transportation and innovation, including for major events

• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations

• Federal, state, and local political structures

• Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting and evidence-and-data-based program and budget development and implementation

• Capital and operating budgets

• Social, political, and environmental issues influencing transportation programs, innovation, and major events

• Public administration

• Modern management theory

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Planning, organizing, and controlling the work of an innovative, dynamic organizational unit to improve mobility in Los Angeles County

• Developing and implementing objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls

• Determining strategies to achieve goals

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

• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions

• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

• Critical thinking for effective problem definition and resolution

• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, outside representatives, and public officials

• Facilitating and negotiating at individual and group levels

• Building and managing effective teams

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Adjust to changing political and policy environments

• Manage time with hyper-efficiency

• Work successfully different personality types

• Think proactively and creatively; embrace innovation

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships

• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, budgets, and contracts

• Represent Metro before elected officials, the private sector, and the public

• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence

• Read, write, speak, and understand English

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, Public Policy, Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, or a related field; Master′s Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant executive management-level experience performing transportation planning, policy, program management, and/or project development/management

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• 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

Special Conditions

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation 

• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen 

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table 

• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium 

• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions 

• Communicating through speech in the English language required