Deputy Administrator, Commuter Services Board

Maryland Department of Transportation•Baltimore City, MD

11d

About The Position

The Deputy Administrator will serve as an executive leader within the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and as the agency’s executive liaison to the newly established Commuter Services Advisory Board. The position is responsible for fostering collaboration and communication across agency departments to advance MTA’s mission while overseeing board governance and operations. Responsibilities include facilitating the administrative, strategic, cross-functional, and interagency work required to support informed board decision-making. Success in this role requires strong executive management, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building skills. The Deputy Administrator will regularly engage with the Governor’s Office, the Maryland General Assembly, the Secretary’s Office, advocacy groups, and local government representatives. The position oversees official board processes, records, and reporting, ensuring compliance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. Additional responsibilities include supporting board and subcommittee actions on major plans and priorities, and exercising independent judgment in resolving agency issues, directing follow-up, and advancing implementation of MTA’s and the boards’ goals. The Deputy Administrator, Communter Services will be responsible for facilitating informed advisory oversight by the Commuter Services Advisory Board. This includes collaborating with senior MTA staff to inform the Advisory Board about operational metrics, service delivery, contractual relationships, capital projects, and rider satisfaction. Additionally, this position will advance strategic plans and initiatives for commuter service for board review and input including but not limited to the MARC Growth and Transformation Plan and future major projects initiatives like the Silver Spring Turnback and Amtrak joint benefit projects. This position will also work with MTA’s planning team to advance efforts to improve commuter bus service, information sharing, and coordination throughout the state. The position will also ensure collaborative review of MTA’s commuter service capital and operating budgets within defined timelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, government relations, political science, business administration, communications, planning, engineering, or a related field or discipline.
Fifteen (15) years of experience in public transportation, transportation planning, transportation operations, public administration, government, public policy, infrastructure delivery, or a closely related field where customer service, community engagement and value-based service were necessary.
At least five (5) years of the required experience must have included senior management experience or administrative and supervisory responsibility.
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the state of Maryland.
All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Nice To Haves

U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as defined under the Minimum Qualifications may be substituted for the required education and experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Supports MTA’s mission, vision, goals, and core values while demonstrating executive leadership and serving as a visible agency representative with internal and external stakeholders, government officials, advocacy organizations, and the business community.
Leads board-related reporting, budget reviews and approvals, and other time-sensitive processes by coordinating with subject matter experts to develop accurate data, recommendations, presentations, and clear, decision-ready materials that meet accessibility and reporting requirements.
Partners with operations, planning, finance, legal, communications, external affairs, and project/program leadership to prepare strategic matters for board consideration and ensure board directives and approved actions are assigned, tracked, escalated, and implemented timely.
Develops and maintains productive relationships with elected officials, jurisdiction partners, riders, advocacy groups, board members, and other stakeholders while addressing sensitive inquiries, resolving complex issues, supporting advocacy efforts, and representing MTA programs, policies, and priorities.
Identifies emerging operational, financial, policy, and stakeholder issues requiring board or executive attention; exercises delegated to a decision-making authority; advises the Administrator on risks and recommended actions; and supports board committees, work groups, special initiatives, and other strategic priorities.
Reports directly to the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Administrator, providing high-level support and carrying out key responsibilities and priorities on behalf of the Administrator.
Strengthens governance, coordination, and accountability for Baltimore’s core transit services.
Aligns Board priorities, agency operations, capital investments, service delivery, and stakeholder engagement so MTA can provide safe, reliable, accessible, and customer-focused transit service to the communities it serves.