Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

About the position

The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, MNR is a direct report to the Chief Administrative Officer and will have the authority to represent the Chief Administrative Officer at meetings and other events on an as-needed basis. This position is responsible for supporting the Metro-North leadership team and all departments by assessing their resource, personnel, and budgetary needs and assisting in the development of procedures, policies, and strategies to ensure that those needs are being met. The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer will develop close working relationships with MTA Headquarters departments, including the People, Procurement, Real Estate, and Budget business partners, to communicate Metro-North's business requirements and promote better awareness of Metro-North's strategies for realizing efficiencies in its operations. The position assists in ensuring the Operating Departments are properly equipped with qualified people, resources, and requirements necessary for the delivery of safe and reliable train service, whether through direct oversight of internal resources or through the MTA consolidated administrative business partner function. Supports ongoing operational efficiency initiatives through a partnership with departmental budget staff and cooperation and information sharing with the Finance business partner.

Responsibilities

• Supports the Chief Administrative Officer and collaborates with the agency business partners in support of consolidated functions.
• Works with business partners to ensure MNR programs are effectively and efficiently executed.
• Communicates with the consolidated teams' initiatives to support a fluid operating environment.
• Assists in creating seamless interactions; supports initiatives on behalf of the operations teams' needs and business requirements.
• Collaborates with the consolidated support team, ensuring leadership understands the business requirements and needs of the operational business units.
• Proactively communicate with senior staff to ensure they are kept abreast of appropriate issues and project status.
• Perform any oversight responsibilities as may be assigned by the Chief Administrative Officer with respect to hiring, training, onboarding, or any other workforce planning activities.
• Direct oversight for the consolidated financial performance of the agency's $1.4B annual operating budget.
• Represent MNR on inter-agency panels such as the MTA OT Task Force.
• Select, develop, and motivate staff and provide career development for team members.
• Coordinate various cross-divisional and functional activities requiring executive review with senior staff/department heads.
• Uses data analysis to identify emerging trends in the workforce.

Requirements

• An understanding of Railroad and Operating practices and federal regulations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and platform skills required.
• Demonstrable general management, awareness of Metro-North's political environment, and judgment to build consensus within and across departments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in the areas of project management, resource allocation and safety.
• Demonstrated understanding of budgeting practices.
• Must possess excellent long and short-range planning skills.
• Familiarity with unionized workforces and collective bargaining agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to support diversity initiatives.
• Demonstrated mastery of business/negotiating skills to effectuate multiple project executions.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Familiar with the MTA's policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with the MTA's collective bargaining procedures.

Benefits

• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Encouragement of qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.