General Manager

People are at the heart of our business. We lead by example in promoting and ensuring a strong safety culture, where strict adherence to risk mitigation and safety/security protocols for employees, passengers, clients, and communities is critical. We seek a visionary leader to develop and execute strategies that achieve desired outcomes, gain buy-in, and motivate teams to excellence. This position will lead our operations team and partnership with CARTA in Charleston, SC. Candidates must be willing to reside (and relocate if needed) in the area.

Responsibilities

• Promote a diverse, inclusive, positive, respectful, and healthy work environment.
• Prioritize employee engagement and retention strategies, including professional, personal, and technical development with continuous learning and mentoring.
• Partner with Safety, Risk, and Continuous Improvement teams to implement process improvements ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
• Execute the client’s service planning, improve scheduling/blocking, and recommend real-time adjustments based on service demands or disruptions.
• Develop and manage an annual operating and capital budget; monitor and ensure compliance with monthly and annual financial targets.
• Use operational performance indicators to influence daily financial results.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with teams, colleagues, unions, the public, medical and governmental agencies, elected officials, and the board of trustees.
• Provide oversight, direction, and coordination of staff to deliver cost-effective, efficient, and reliable transit services within available financial resources.
• Provide input and feedback to the board on policy development and external factors impacting goal achievement.

Safety & Compliance

• Work with all team members to create a strong, vibrant, and engaging safety culture.
• Oversee the agency safety plan (PTASP) and its implementation and reporting to the client.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations (EPA, OSHA, DOT, ADA, and EEOC).

Leadership

• Manage the location’s financial, operational, and employee performance and development, ensuring adherence to budget, targets, and standard operating procedures.
• Oversee and direct financial, human resources, and operating service programs through department managers.
• Build a strong leadership team, ensuring leaders have the skills, tools, and resources to develop their departments, including coaching for success.

Business Acumen

• Demonstrate strong entrepreneurial skills to create a strategic vision that grows the local team, community, client contract, and RATP Dev USA’s mission and goals.
• Understand and monitor business and community trends, growth opportunities, potential risks, and pivot when necessary to maintain financial satisfaction.
• Satisfy client, corporate, and contractual reporting requirements.

Interpersonal & Engagement

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, private employers, governmental authorities, legislators, taxpayer groups, and the public to support public transit services.
• Exhibit strong verbal and written communication that is clear, concise, and transparent, encouraging an “open-door” policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, transportation, or public administration, plus five (5) years of managerial or comparable administrative experience in a public transit agency; or an advanced master’s degree in a related field substituting for one (1) year of experience.
• Clear understanding of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), union contracts, labor negotiations, and grievance procedures.
• Must pass a drug test and pre-employment physical; subject to random alcohol and drug testing.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid holiday and vacation time.

Professional and Personal Development

• Promotion from within and learning/development opportunities, including mentorship programs.
• Access to continuous learning (eLearning) and leadership workshops.
• Leadership development, mentorship, coaching, and training in safety, security, compliance, technical, and soft skills.