SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SPECIAL PROGRAMS (EMPLOYEE AND LABOR RELATIONS)

About the Role

The Senior Executive Officer, Special Programs serves as a senior strategic partner to Metro’s executive team, providing direction, oversight, and execution for agency-wide initiatives that cut across departments and functions. This position has primary responsibility for executive leadership of Employee & Labor Relations functions, including the establishment of a new police union and collective bargaining agreement for the Department of Public Safety.

Collaborates with the cabinet chief regarding planning, strategic oversight, and implementation of cabinet projects, programs, and strategic initiatives; works closely with the agency's executive management team, program and project executives and managers, Metro Board members, elected officials, Metro's labor unions, and other stakeholders, to assist in the development and implementation of visionary programs and solutions to meet the mobility needs of Los Angeles County.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the cabinet chief to set goals, establish priorities, and develop strategies aligned with Metro's commitment to customer service value to taxpayers, and program/project delivery.
• Manages and reviews staff performance against goals and takes actions necessary to address and correct deviations.
• Implements training and development programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of leaders.
• Leads staff in inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.
• Directs the development and implementation of programs, processes, projects, systems, and services.
• Reviews and analyzes policies, and formulates and presents policy recommendations to the cabinet chief.
• Manages the preparation of agenda items for cabinet chief approval and Metro Board action.
• Oversees department operations, including budget development and monitoring, to achieve set goals and objectives.
• Directs the implementation of transit project goals and objectives, policies, work standards, and controls for professional staff and consultants; evaluates project performance against goals and takes necessary action to address deviations.
• Represents Metro at meetings and conferences with elected and public officials, the community, private citizens, and public and private organizations.
• Communicates Metro's safety vision and goals; oversees the implementation of agency and departmental safety rules, policies, and procedures; and maintains accountability for safety performance of all assigned employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, Transportation or a related field.

Experience: Eight years of relevant senior management-level experience in transportation operations, finance, planning and programming, and/or project or program management.

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements: A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Required combination: A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience overseeing labor relations, including negotiation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience leading negotiations on behalf of public safety or law enforcement personnel.
• Experience leading large, diverse teams and complex, multi-department initiatives.
• Experience working knowledge of California labor laws, including the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA) and Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR).
• Experience interacting with governing boards, elected officials, and executive leadership teams.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Theories, principles, and practices of transportation operations, transportation finance, project management, and program management.
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Social, political, and environmental issues influencing transportation programs.
• Principles and practices of public administration.
• Modern management theory.

Skill in:

• Developing and implementing objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls.
• Determining strategies to achieve goals.
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, implementing solutions, and evaluating outcomes.
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions.
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing.
• Preparing complex comprehensive reports and correspondence.
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, Board of Directors, outside representatives, and public officials.
• Effectively leading, motivating, and supervising a large, diversified staff of professionals.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and teams.
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, budgets, and contracts.
• Represent Metro before elected officials and the public.
• Supervise, train, mentor, and motivate assigned staff.
• Strategically evaluate, hire, and mentor staff to develop the next generation of leaders and talented professionals.
• Read, write, speak, and understand English.

Working Conditions

Typical office situation. Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen.

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table.
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium.
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions.
• Communicating through speech in the English language required.