Senior Director, Product Development

About the role

This role is responsible for directing the development of product lifecycles from inception/innovation through design, build, and ultimately the ongoing run stage before an eventual product retirement. The role must possess extensive knowledge in a core IT discipline and a broad understanding of related domains. The role is also responsible for overseeing cross-functional teams assigned to design, build, and maintain one or more product lines. Various products include, but are not limited to: Corp Finance/Capital Planning & Budget, Legal, Risk & Safety, Enterprise Asset Management, Workforce Products (Payroll, Pension, Timekeeping, Recruitment), Employee Experience Platforms/Back-End Operations/DBA, Bus & Paratransit Scheduling, Crew Pick, Transportation Intelligent Systems, Train Control, B&T Products, Customer Experience, Revenue Fare Collections.

Responsibilities

• Possesses extensive knowledge in a core IT discipline and a broad understanding of related domains.
• Creates and implements a clear and compelling product vision and strategy that aligns with MTA’s goals and customer needs.
• Oversees all potential risks to the product and approves mitigation strategies.
• Approves/develops the budget for product initiatives and oversees that product initiatives are completed on time and within budget.
• Leads through change, including the ability to adapt to shifting priorities and market conditions.
• Directs IT teams, fostering professional growth and ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Delivers monthly or quarterly results to senior leadership, with performance subject to regular review against targets.
• Collaborates with IT and business leaders to create and manage product roadmaps aligned with digital strategies.
• Oversees team compliance with governance processes and adherence to technology architectures and methodologies.
• Oversees system support processes to maintain product quality and sustainability.
• Develops the stages of the product lifecycle, from ideation, definition, prototyping, design, validation & testing, launch, run stage, and eventual product retirement.
• Understands customer needs, market trends, and the competitive landscape to inform product strategy and feature prioritization.
• Reviews metrics on the sustainability, viability, and quality of delivered products within agreed service targets.
• Influences the strategic direction of one or more disciplines within IT.
• Oversees the effectiveness and efficiency of product(s), and develops, proposes, and implements improvement strategies.
• Provides leadership direction with a high level of independence, discipline, and attention to detail, and drives business value across all program activities and functions.
• Establishes department strategies to support the IT organization’s vision.
• Directs day-to-day operations and motivates team(s) to achieve results; may be responsible for a budget.
• Defines key performance indicators (KPIs), regularly evaluates performance against established metrics, and utilizes data-driven insights to inform continual application optimization activities.
• Reviews budgets, contracts, and allocation of resources; recommends timelines and additional resources to help achieve goals and objectives.
• Maintains an engaged workforce and fosters a positive culture throughout organizational change.
• Models, encourages, and rewards coaching, development, and recognition as critical management responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable.
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable.
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable.
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable.
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) or related fields or equivalent experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience with a minimum of five years of supervisory/management experience.

Technical Skills

• Expert in deep understanding of technology.