Senior Vice President of Operations

Job ID: 11336

Business Unit: Metro-North Railroad

Location: New York, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: VP Operations Office

Date Posted: Apr 11, 2025

Description

POSTING NO.

11336

JOB TITLE:

Senior Vice President of Operations

DEPT/DIV:

Operations

WORK LOCATION:

420 Lexington Avenue, 11 th Floor

FULL/PART-TIME

FULL

SALARY RANGE:

$ 224,278 .00 - $ 291,83 1.00

DEADLINE:

Until Filled

Metro-North Railroad reserves the right to remove this posting before the Application Deadline.

Opening:

MTA Metro-North Railroad is a dynamic organization, operating out of the jewel of New York City, Grand Central Terminal. We provide service to over 86.5 million customers, traveling in and out of New York and Connecticut. A subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the nation. MTA Metro-North Railroad strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities to its employees.

Position Objective:

Provide overall leadership, direction and guidance for providing safe, efficient and reliable transportation and excellent customer service. Directly responsible for Transportation, Maintenance of Equipment, Maintenance of Way, Stations Operations, Operating Rules and Regulatory Oversight, Service Design and Scheduling, and Emergency Management.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies for continuous improvement in the safe and efficient delivery of transportation services, maintenance of Metro-North's rolling stock, maintenance of Metro-North's fixed infrastructure and operating systems (i.e., Track, Structures, Power, Communications and Signals, Positive Train Control, GCT), stations operations and cleanliness, and customer service. Establish, oversee and monitor progress toward corporate goals of on-time performance, mean distance between failures, consist of compliance, equipment and facility cleanliness, customer satisfaction.
• Monitor and assess the impact of Metro-North's ongoing infrastructure program upon service delivery and, champion and ensure effective collaboration with the Maintenance of Way Department and MTA Construction and Development, develop and implement strategies to mitigate that impact.
• Oversee the development of customer, crew and equipment schedules to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable transportation services.
• As directed by the President, serve as project lead for major corporate initiatives that affect the delivery of transportation services and/or the maintenance of Metro-North stations, rolling stock and/or fixed infrastructure. Act as Metro-North representative in major procurements that impact the delivery of train service.
• Serve as the principal point of contact with senior leadership at the Connecticut Department of Transportation with respect to commuter rail service provided within the State of Connecticut and with New Jersey Transit with respect to commuter rail service provided West of Hudson. Serve as principal point of contact with Amtrak, CSX and other rail carriers, with respect to service on the Hudson and New Haven Lines, including impacts to Metro-North service associated with Amtrak service over the Hell Gate Bridge into Penn Station.
• Lead efforts in the Transportation, Maintenance of Equipment, Maintenance of Way, and Stations Departments in attaining the overall safety goals and objectives by promoting safe work practices.
• Provide Executive Level leadership to all Operating Departments (consisting of over 6000 represented and non-represented employees) by fostering a climate of collaboration, problem solving and teamwork for all stakeholders that supports the corporate mission, values, long range goals and departmental initiatives, creating synergy and enhancing employee development and engagement establishing a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, trust and open communication and ensuring employees feel supported and empowered to perform at their best to ensure a safe, reliable and efficient service to our customers and the region we serve.
• Ensure the implementation of succession planning and knowledge transfer programs within all operations groups.
• Serve as Metro-North's representative in the development of corporate policies, long range plans, 20-year needs forecasts, budgets and projections for all topics that have an impact upon the delivery of service or the maintenance of stations or rolling stock.
• Provide Senior Executive level participation in all applicable public and governmental oversight interactions.
• Ensure overall compliance of all operations departments with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Represent the President at such internal and external meetings and on such projects, as he or she deems necessary.
• Select, develop, and motivate staff and provide career development for team members. Provide effective coaching and counseling. Manage team and individual performance. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables staff to develop and contribute to their full potential.

Required Qualifications:

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• In depth understanding of rail industry operating practices, railroad infrastructure, and applicable federal regulations with particular attention to high volume commuter rail operations.
• Exceptional leadership skills to motivate and foster teamwork.
• Strong leadership skills in the areas of safety, performance and emergency management.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to create a climate of continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Outstanding written, oral communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability of exercising sound independent judgment and decision making under stress.
• Familiarity with budgeting practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively interact with diverse audiences (e.g., represented workforce, labor leaders, political leaders, press, MTA Board members, etc.)
• Familiarity with transportation and/or urban planning topics such as scheduling, public policy, mobility and accessibility.
• Ability to work in a high-profile/high pressure environment.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to effectively multi-task.
• Ability to effectively identify priorities.
• Must possess the utmost integrity.
• Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.
• Strong knowledge of Metro-North's collective bargaining agreements and discipline process.
• Ability to respond to service disruptions 24 hours per day-7 days a week and must be able to work outside of normal working hours as needed.

Required Education and Experience:

• Minimum Bachelors' Degree in Business Management , Transportation, Engineering, Finance or related field is required.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in a transportation industry.
• Minimum of ten (10 years management experience and/or supervision of a diverse workforce.

The following is/are preferred, but other satisfactory combinations of relevant experience, education, and/or technical credentials will be considered:

• Trained and experienced in the nature and use of Incident Management.
• Possesses an advanced degree in engineering, transportation, planning, public or business administration or a related field.
• Experience in designing and/or implementing organization change to meet the strategic needs of a public-sector organization.

Other Information

According 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").

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.