Director Transportation Operations Support
2 days ago
Jamaica
Job Description Job Title: Director Transportation Operations Support Department: Transportation MTA Agency: LIRR Primary Location(s): LIRR Service Area Salary Range/Additional Compensation Details: $147,829 - $184,786 Regulated/ Safety Sensitive: Not Safety Sensitive Union Affiliation: N/A Closing Date (if applicable): 10/2/2026 Shift (if applicable): Other: About your agency: 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: This position provides executive-level leadership and strategic oversight of all analytical and operational support functions within the Transportation Department, ensuring that organizational resources are effectively aligned to achieve departmental and corporate objectives. The Director oversees the Operations Support functions (e.g. Statistical Analysis, Budget Management, Administration & Accountability) through subordinate Senior Managers and their respective teams, ensuring consistency, integration, and performance across all areas. This position is responsible for establishing priorities, directing analytical frameworks, and ensuring the development of mission-critical reporting that provides senior leadership with actionable insight into operations performance, system weaknesses, and departmental risks. The Director ensures that all operational analysis—including but not limited to Fare Collection, Efficiency Testing, On-Time Performance, Operational Safety, Operating Statistics, Employee Databases, and Critical Risk Management—are comprehensive, forward-looking, and continuously evolving. The Director provides oversight of all data-driven planning efforts supporting Operating and Capital/Reimbursable budgets, ensuring that workforce planning, financial forecasting, and operational needs are accurately translated into actionable plans. This role ensures that subordinate management proactively identifies trends, develops new analytical tools, and initiates audits and risk assessments rather than relying solely on reactive reporting. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Direct and oversee the development, integration, and governance of complex, multi-source databases supporting Transportation operations, ensuring standardization, accuracy, and accessibility across all functional areas., • Establish expectations for continuous improvement of analytical processes, ensuring subordinate managers implement automation of ETL processes, scalable reporting tools, and reusable analytical frameworks., • Ensure all data environments incorporate comprehensive risk indicators tied to on-time performance, fare collection, and operational efficiency., • Evaluate the effectiveness of data architecture and direct enhancements where gaps, inefficiencies, or missed analytical opportunities are identified., • Oversee the collection, validation, and dissemination of operating statistics, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across all reporting cycles., • Direct subordinate managers to develop meaningful performance metrics and ensure reporting evolves to address emerging operational needs., • Critically review analytical outputs and reports to ensure they provide actionable insight and are not limited to descriptive reporting., • Ensure timely and accurate responses to high-visibility and ad-hoc requests from senior leadership and external stakeholders., • Provide strategic oversight of analytical modeling related to service planning, manpower forecasting, and labor budgeting., • Ensure subordinate managers develop and maintain tools that translate service plans into accurate staffing and financial projections., • Oversee coordination with internal and external stakeholders (Service Planning, Payroll, MTAHQ, OMB), ensuring data integrity, consistency, and compliance., • Identify gaps in forecasting, modeling, or stakeholder coordination and direct corrective action., • Provide executive oversight of all Transportation auditing processes and risk mitigation programs., • Ensure vulnerability assessments are proactive, comprehensive, and continuously refined based on emerging risks., • Hold subordinate management accountable for identifying deficiencies and implementing corrective actions., • Evaluate effectiveness of controls and ensure sustainable risk mitigation strategies are in place., • Oversee all operational support functions to ensure effective 24/7/365 support to train operations., • Ensure appropriate staffing, coordination, and readiness for routine operations, service disruptions, and major events., • Evaluate operational response effectiveness during incidents, identifying gaps and directing improvements., • Ensure proper management and oversight of all CBA-related responsibilities, equipment programs, and field support initiatives., • Hold management accountable for maintaining high standards of customer service, safety, and operational execution., • Provide executive oversight of Transportation Department budgets, including operating and reimbursable budgets., • Ensure financial planning aligns with operational needs and corporate objectives., • Direct and review financial analysis, staffing plans, and funding justifications prepared by subordinate managers., • Identify financial risks, variances, and opportunities, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are taken., • Provide leadership and direction to Senior Managers and their teams, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and expectations., • Establish a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement., • Oversee performance management, succession planning, and professional development across the organization., • 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. 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., • Provide operational assistance during major service disruptions., • Perform other assignments as requested by Senior Management., • If an applicant is Engine Service Qualified (ESQ), maintaining a valid Locomotive Engineer Certification and is not on the active-duty Locomotive Engineer roster, they will be required to provide Engine Service coverage during Engine Service manpower shortages. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: • Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Business, Finance, Management, Information Technology, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field. Demonstrated, directly related, equivalent experience & education may be considered in lieu of the degree., • In lieu of a Bachelor's Degree, a candidate may be chosen if (s)he possesses a minimum 12 years' demonstrated LIRR-Transportation experience, 10 of which must be demonstrated operations support managerial experience (e.g. Transportation Administration & Accountability, Transportation Budgets, Transportation Operating Statistics & Data Analysis)., • Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible Budget, Administrative Support, Operational Statistics/Performance Measurement or related experience in an operations environment. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • A proven record as a successful manager, with expertise and experience in budget development, forecasting and analysis., • Extremely well versed in human resource issues, audits/internal controls, budget, collective bargaining agreements, procurement and policy & procedures., • Expert analytical and judgment skills., • Effective leadership, problem solving, human relations, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills., • Ability to motivate and develop subordinates. Must possess the ability to lead & influence change., • A record of working effectively in a team environment., • Strong working knowledge of software computer applications, with a particular focus in MS Excel, MS Access, Peoplesoft, Hyperion., • Expertise in planning, scheduling and modeling in resource allocation., • Must be able to translate issues and develop well thought out action plans to improve cost effectiveness of operations., • Must possess proven, effective problem solving skills with ability to analyze problems as they arise utilizing critical thinking skills., • Must be available to work 24/7 at any LIRR location(s) during major service disruptions. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Master’s degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS) in Business or Information Systems or Information Technology., • Minimum 3 years of experience working in the LIRR's Transportation Department's Operations Support areas (Transportation Administration & Accountability, Transportation Budgets, Transportation Operating Statistics & Data Analysis, Transportation Crew Management)., • Strong understanding of railroad operations and labor agreements with emphasis on Transportation. OTHER INFORMATION: • 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”)., • Actual salary offers may vary based on individual work experience. The annual salary range is subject to change and may be modified at the company’s discretion., • Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position., • Current employees must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record., • Candidates selected for this position may be placed in a competitive or non-competitive class position based on their qualifications. Qualified candidates who are placed in a competitive class position are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate in your cover letter and in the upper right corner of your resume that you would like to be considered for the position under the 55-a Program. For detailed information regarding the 55-a Program, please visit the following link https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dcas/employment/55-a-program.page, • LIRR:, • 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. In addition, LIRR employee applicants must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting 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. #TapYourCareers #MTACareers EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER: MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply. If you require reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.
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