Chief of Staff

rabbittransit•York, PA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The position is critical in assisting the Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority in meeting our mission of mobility. The impact of public transportation runs much deeper than a trip from point A to point B. We are the means for which people have access to experiences that alter their lives in meaningful ways. Our culture of innovation and stewardship champions that mission. The position is responsible for organizing, driving and supporting Executive Leadership in Strategy. This leader is responsible for facilitating the Executive Director's vision and ensuring that any business activity the Executive Director wants done gets done. This position will have an eye and ability to successfully drive projects forward, identify the bottlenecks or issues, providing the Executive Director with information on the opposing views or challenges and proposing resolutions that enable the project to proceed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Public Relations, Communications, or related field is required.
Seven years + experience of relevant experience with a minimum of 3 years in management.
Ability to understand transit systems operations and service area.
Knowledge of and ability to apply technical approaches and systems to facilitate goals.
Highly developed communication and analytical skills.
Knowledge of local organizations, community groups and governing bodies.
Ability to be curious and learn from asking questions and listening to others.
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage staff.
Demonstrated networking, delegation and diplomacy skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage and effectively respond to the media.
Strong computer and Microsoft applications software proficiency.
Advanced level of English, grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, etc. with the ability to read and write reports.
Ability to analyze and understand the nature of the business; how initiatives will impact the strategic plan, financial resources, and human resources.
Ability to communicate one-on-one, in small groups and to make presentations; to facilitate meetings, to listen actively, to persuade others to accept recommendations, and review and evaluate contracts.
Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of changing situations in a timely manner.
Ability to be detail oriented, ensure accuracy, and meet deadlines.
Ability to be organized and work on multiple projects in a fast paced environment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to maintain compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Ability to be self-motivated and results oriented to accomplish objectives on schedule.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relations with staff, outside contacts, and governmental officials to gain support in accomplishing goals.
Must be able to negotiate with, handle conflict and influence Executive Team members.
Proven track record of handling matters with the utmost discretion.
Resilient and must be able to work in an atmosphere of high pressure, high expectations & shifting priorities.
Strong project management skills.
Proven track record of meeting deadlines and successfully managing administrative processes and projects.
Proven organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
Very strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with various internal and external stakeholders, including other executives, staff and board members.
Sharp business judgment, ability to see "big picture" and to prioritize, while working independently, yet asking for help when necessary.
Self-starter who enjoys finding ways to improve things without direction.
High energy, strong work ethic, disciplined execution skills.
Ability to represent the Authority in a professional and positive manner at all times.
Ability to actively listen, communicate effectively and follow oral and written instructions that are given in English.
Ability to complete records.
Ability to work with diverse customers.
Ability to travel for meetings, training purposes or other organizational needs with occasional overnight requirements.
Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, various shifts and weekend work.
Must meet hiring qualifications of an acceptable driving record and background verification in accordance with SRTA standards.
Must have regular attendance and punctuality.
Must possess valid motor vehicle operator's license that is not under suspension or revocation.

Nice To Haves

Prefer Master's degree in Management, Strategy or related field.

Responsibilities

Achieves the Authority's mission by creating a culture of innovation and best practice in line with the Authority's Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan by identifying and championing strategic initiatives and opportunities.
Partners with the Executive Director and helps to leverage their time by performing various duties based on the Authority's and their shifting and growing needs.
Shapes the strategic direction of the organization by leading on behalf of, and in partnership with, the Leadership Team, the creation of and the annual refresh of the organizational strategy, in line with the Authority's vision and mission.
Ability to develop fluency around the most important issues to the Authority and connect back to how we operate in a strategic manner.
Drives results by being in line with Executive Director on strategy initiatives, special projects and events that reinforce the Authority's vision and posture.
Builds strong alliances with external organizations, stakeholders and legislators to advocate and influence the direction of public policy on issues affecting sustainable mobility.
Partner with other SRTA collaborators to support various "business units" of organization to promote strategy implementation and risk assessment planning.
Assists Executive Director to identify priorities , strategically align their time with those priorities, and revisit them regularly to assess progress.
Prioritizes issues, engages appropriate resources, and ensures responses and follow-up actions are done as appropriate.
Contributes to organization's effectiveness by coordinating and working with executive and senior leadership team to ensure Executive Director's objectives are clear.
Streamlines communication between Executive Director and internal departments and ensures communications are disseminated and timely.
Monitors Key Performance Indicators and facilitates follow up.
Prioritizes conflicting needs; handle matters expeditiously, proactively, and follows through to successful completion, often with deadline pressures.
Writes and reviews internal communications that are sent out under the Executive Director's name and collaborates with key internal stakeholders as appropriate on messaging content and tone.
Manages risk around confidential and strategic projects that are of time sensitive importance.
Liaising directly with Legal, Human Resources and Executive Director or appropriate parties.
Identifies best practices and improves internal systems with an eye toward future needs and budget realities.
Develops thought leadership around specific topics/emerging practice areas.
Leads a variety of long-term, cross-organizational projects through project management.
Facilitates planning, alignment, execution and process development/improvement.
Combines the dynamic roles of strategic planning and innovation, as well as operational follow-through.
Identifies and nurtures talent across the organization and plays an active role in succession planning and people development initiatives.
Builds a successful and healthy organization: review, design, and execute on improvements to organizational structure, find knowledge and skills gaps and help address them, design optimal workflows, and align internal processes.
Contributes to the team by assisting in training employees.
Will support the implementation , routine, and day-to-day functions of the SRTA Safety Management System (SMS) in accordance with the Agency Safety Plan (ASP).
Ensures a customer first focus by monitoring, coaching, supporting, motivating and developing team members to enable them to deliver to the best of their ability.
Prepares supporting materials by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
Creating and synergizing reports/dashboards/presentations for board level agendas, 4-5 times per year.
Ensures good employee relations and legal compliance by listening for input from others; seeking mutual understanding on problems involving collaboration, keeping subordinates advised of critical issues, applying consistent treatment, giving constructive feedback, and treating employees with respect.
Conducts self in such a way that is looked upon as role model by the team.
Accomplishes staff results by communicating job expectations; appraising job results, ensuring salary staff's performance evaluations are tied to established goals; coaching, counseling, and disciplining staff; and enforcing consistency, policies and procedures
Preserves historical reference by establishing and maintaining a record-keeping system, documenting procedures and decisions, maintaining required documentation, and ensuring delivery of documents as necessary.
Compiles and maintains a procedure system and organized office to ensure continuity of position.
Maintains trust, confidence and protects the organization by keeping information confidential and disclosing only on a need to know basis; ensuring high ethical standards; fosters a spirit of respect, trust and cooperation; using good customer service skills with both internal and external customers; and upholding the organization's reputation in the community.
Ensures communication and positive image of the Authority by reviewing critical incidents, exceptions to policy and/or goal achievement with Executive Director.
Maintains cooperative relationship with coworkers and management by communicating necessary information, responding to requests, building rapport; and participating in problem solving methods.
Contributes to effective communications within the organization by establishing and maintaining effective communication lines with all staff members and general public.
Keeps management and staff informed of critical information needed to ensure smooth operations.
Maintains professional and technical knowledge/skills by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies and using the performance appraisal system to assess personal strengths and development needs to accomplish the strategic goals of the organization.
Contributes to SRTA team effort by performing other assigned duties as needed.