Job Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Senior Director of Operations to lead and optimize our organization’s core operational functions. This high-impact role is pivotal in driving operational excellence, fostering large-scale organizational change, and aligning business strategies with operational capabilities. As a key member of the executive leadership team, you will oversee business development initiatives, manage complex projects, and ensure efficient processes that support sustainable growth for BJCTA.
The Senior Director of Operations will provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for all transportation operations at the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA), including Fixed Route, Paratransit, Safety and Training, Security, and Risk Management. This position is responsible for developing and executing operational strategies that ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and customer-focused transit services while maintaining compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Working collaboratively with executive leadership and cross-functional departments, the Senior Director drives operational excellence through strategic planning, budget management, workforce development, performance improvement, and continuous innovation. This role also leads emergency response efforts, oversees major operational initiatives, and serves as a key advisor to executive leadership to support the Authority's mission, strategic objectives, and long-term success.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all transportation operations, including Fixed Route, Paratransit, Safety and Training, Security, Risk Management, Dispatch, and other operational support functions, ensuring alignment with the Authority's mission, strategic plan, and performance objectives.
2. Develops and executes long-range operational strategies, business plans, policies, and performance initiatives that improve safety, service reliability, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
3. Serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, collaborating with executive staff to establish organizational priorities, evaluate operational performance, and support enterprise-wide decision-making.
4. Provides leadership and oversight to Directors, Managers, and other operational leaders by establishing performance expectations, developing succession plans, fostering employee engagement, and promoting a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
5. Directs the planning, development, administration, and monitoring of the Operations Department's annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring responsible stewardship of financial resources while achieving departmental and organizational objectives.
6. Oversees workforce planning, staffing strategies, labor utilization, and organizational development to ensure operational readiness and compliance with collective bargaining agreements, workforce regulations, and Authority policies.
7. Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), operational metrics, and service delivery standards to evaluate organizational performance and implement corrective actions that improve efficiency, productivity, and customer experience.
8. Provides executive oversight of safety, security, risk management, workers' compensation, regulatory compliance, and Safety Management System (SMS) initiatives to ensure compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
9. Directs the Authority's emergency preparedness, business continuity, and incident response programs while serving as the executive liaison with local, state, and federal emergency management agencies during emergencies and critical incidents.
10. Partners with Human Resources and Labor Relations to foster productive labor-management relationships, resolve complex employee relations matters, support collective bargaining initiatives, and promote a positive workplace culture.
11. Collaborates with Planning, Maintenance, Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Customer Experience to ensure seamless operational coordination and successful implementation of strategic initiatives.
12. Provides executive oversight of major operational projects, capital improvement initiatives, technology implementations, fleet expansion efforts, and service enhancement programs.
13. Represents the Authority before elected officials, regulatory agencies, community organizations, business partners, and industry stakeholders while promoting the Authority's mission and strategic objectives.
14. Advises the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Leadership Team on operational risks, emerging industry trends, regulatory changes, organizational performance, and strategic opportunities.
15. Champions operational excellence by identifying opportunities for innovation, process improvement, technology modernization, cost optimization, and organizational effectiveness.
16. Maintains regular and reliable attendance and demonstrates leadership through professionalism, integrity, ethical decision-making, and accountability.
17. Performs other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Leadership.
· Perform other duties as assigned.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Transportation Management, Operations Management, Engineering, Organizational Leadership, or a related field is required. A Master's degree (MBA, MPA, or related discipline) is strongly preferred.
Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience may be considered.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in public transportation, municipal government, logistics, manufacturing, or a similarly complex operational environment.
- Minimum of seven (7) years of senior management experience leading multiple operational departments through managers and directors.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing large-scale operations, workforce planning, financial management, regulatory compliance, and strategic initiatives.
- Experience operating within a unionized workforce is strongly preferred.
- Experience leading organizational change, operational excellence initiatives, and enterprise-wide performance improvement programs is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
· Executive leadership, organizational development, and strategic planning.
· Public transportation operations, service delivery, and performance management.
· Financial management, budget development, forecasting, and resource allocation.
· Labor relations, collective bargaining, and employee relations.
· Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT, ADA, OSHA, and regulatory compliance.
· Safety Management Systems (SMS), emergency management, and business continuity planning.
· Data analytics, performance measurement, and operational reporting.
· Risk management, workers' compensation, and claims oversight.
· Contract administration, procurement, and vendor management.
· Change management, continuous improvement, Lean principles, and organizational effectiveness.
· Exceptional written and verbal communication, presentation, negotiation, and executive-level interpersonal skills.
· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), business intelligence tools, and enterprise software systems.
· Ability to build collaborative relationships with executive leadership, Board members, labor organizations, government agencies, community stakeholders, and employees at all levels.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
