CEO/General Manager

The General Manager (GM)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) provides visionary leadership across all operational, financial, safety, and strategic initiatives. The GM/CEO is responsible for driving growth, ensuring regulatory compliance, and overseeing the effective management of budgets and resources. A dynamic and strategic leader, the GM/CEO must possess strong political acumen, financial expertise, and a proven ability to foster collaboration with community leaders and stakeholders. This role requires a focus on financial sustainability through prudent planning, effective use of state and federal grants, and the cultivation of a robust safety culture and practices. The GM/CEO will also play a key role in shaping a positive organizational culture while ensuring the long-term stability and success of the transit system. The GM/CEO is responsible for the administrative management of all services and operations for the Authority's fixed route and on-demand public transit system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plan, develop, and establish Authority's policies and objectives.
• Direct the Authority towards current and long-range goals and assure compliance with federal, state, and municipal laws
• Confer with senior staff to plan business objectives; direct, develop, and enforce organizational policies to coordinate functions and operations between divisions and departments; and establish responsibilities and procedures for attaining objectives.
• Oversee activity reports and financial statements to determine the progress and status of the Authority's financial structure.
• Direct the development of the operating and capital budgets.
• Act as the Authority's appointing authority regarding the employment of employees below the level of the Chief Executive Officer/General Manager.
• Revise objectives and plans in accordance with current conditions.
• Direct and coordinate the formulation of financial programs to provide funding for new and continuing operations to maximize returns and increase productivity.
• Confer with legislative liaison individuals and/or committees to develop recommendations for change in legislation and administrative procedures.
• Maintain official and informal associations with various federal, state, and local professionals and officials to facilitate funding and promote Authority objectives.
• Make recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding matters affecting Authority management, services, and operations.
• Represent the Authority at national, state, and local meetings/conferences to promote and explain Authority objectives.
• Consult with other government agencies, business community, and private organizations to resolve problems.
• Act as chief negotiator in the formulation of agreements with contract personnel.
• Establish and maintain an effective system of communication throughout the organization.
• Provide a positive work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran.
• Ability to work in compliance with Metro's safety and security policies.
• Promote and reinforce a strong safety culture across all levels of the organization, ensuring the implementation of best practices, continuous safety training, and adherence to compliance standards to maintain safe operations.
• Lead coalition-building efforts among diverse stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and industry partners, to ensure successful planning and execution of large-scale transportation projects while addressing the needs and concerns of all involved parties.
• Utilize data-driven management to optimize all operations, integrating continuous improvement practices and fostering transparent communication to ensure accountability and enhance service delivery to the community.
• Lead the successful realization of strategic objectives as set forth by the Board of Trustees, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and driving initiatives that support long-term growth and community impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Communications - Excellent verbal, writing and non-verbal skills. Persuasive, consensus builder.
• Customer Focus - Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to exceed customer expectations.
• Employee Development - Competent in assessing employee skills: coaches, delegates, and supports employee development. Provides constructive feedback.
• Leadership - Energetic, innovative self-starter, committed to continuous improvement and creative problem-solving.
• Professional Integrity - Exhibits and values commitment, leadership, accountability, diversity, honesty, fiscal responsibility, and the ability to maximize resources.
• Proficiency - Able to multi-task, plan and measure results, create and analyze data, excellent computer skills, accuracy and attention to detail, excellent project management skills.

Education

• Four (4) years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field or equivalent years of work experience

Experience

• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible management experience preferably in a large urban public transportation system, including five (5) years of experience at the executive management level.

Knowledge

• Principles of administration and management, labor relations, and personnel management
• Sources of federal, state, and local funding for public programs and services
• Economic, political, social, and psychological factors related to providing public programs and services
• Budget development and administration
• Financial planning and cost control
• Development and marketing strategies for public programs and services

Skills

• Advanced word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software
• Specialized software related to functional area

Abilities

• Understand the interrelationship between federal, state, and local governments as they affect public programs and services
• Assimilate information from a variety of sources, analyze complex information, and recommend courses of action
• Plan, organize and direct services and operations in a cost and operationally-effective manner
• Read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents
• Respond to common inquiries/complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, and business community
• Prepare complex reports and correspondence
• Communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form
• Speak persuasively before groups
• Direct a staff of diverse professionals
• Exercise good judgment
• Interact professionally with various levels of legislative and administrative officials, citizen boards, general public, the Board of Trustees and Authority employees

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office atmosphere