Deputy Director of Lean Analytics

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority • Boston, MA

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Deputy Director of Lean Analytics will develop and reinforce continuous improvement and lean strategy as part of the MBTA’s effort to build and sustain a world-class transit agency. The MBTA launched its organization-wide lean effort in 2017 to increase organizational productivity and support reliable, safe service. Using data-driven, project-based process improvement and standardization, the Deputy Director will work with project sponsors across the authority to further integrate lean methodology into the organization’s culture.

Reporting to the Director of Lean Strategy, this position leads cross-functional analytical and project management activities and supports lean events, trainings, and programs. The role also builds and maintains working relationships within the MBTA and with external transportation entities and continuous-improvement and lean organizations to keep the agency informed about industry practices.

The position is hybrid-work eligible, works primarily in an office environment, and includes occasional field trips to inspect or observe projects and infrastructure conditions at stations, along the right of way, and at other work sites. There are no direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or an accepted substitution: a high school diploma or GED plus seven additional years of directly related experience; an associate degree plus three additional years of directly related experience; or a related master’s degree in place of two years of general experience.
• Five years of experience in quantitative analysis, operations, manufacturing, project management, or a related field.
• Two years of leadership, people management, and/or large-project experience.
• A nationally recognized or statewide/professional certification in a related field may substitute for one year of experience.
• Strong organization and time-management skills, including the ability to manage resources, people, and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong project management skills, including leading initiatives from concept through implementation, managing timelines and dependencies, and communicating impacts.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and presentation skills, including the ability to gain stakeholder buy-in at all organizational levels.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions, conduct program analysis, identify KPIs, and build management dashboards.
• Ability to learn quickly, take direction, work independently, and use creative, collaborative, and consultative approaches to resolve issues.
• Experience packaging complex projects for executive-level or similar presentations.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to provide courteous, professional experiences to internal and external customers.
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with data, reporting, and operational systems, with the ability to learn new platforms quickly.
• Ability to think strategically and work collaboratively in a team environment, including with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions and other written or spoken information in English.
• At least 18 years of age, except for participants in an approved high school internship or co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, Massachusetts metro area as required.
• Ability to uphold MBTA rights and interests while maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers, and to follow MBTA rules, policies, and applicable collective bargaining agreements, including EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Satisfactory work record for the two years immediately preceding the posting’s closing date, unless a current student or recent graduate.
• Ability to pass applicable CORI, background, medical, physical, and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work assigned shifts and locations as directed or necessary, including potentially supporting service or safety needs during severe weather or emergencies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in transit, transportation, or public service.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma continuous-improvement methodology.
• Experience with operational and financial data sources and analytics.
• Experience with Tableau or other data-visualization tools.

Responsibilities

• Work with stakeholders and cross-functional teams to digitize, refine, and standardize operational workflows to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Partner with frontline staff and department leaders to understand operational challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Conduct data-driven analysis and root-cause assessments, and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop detailed analytics and descriptive statistics in low-data environments, including KPI dashboards to track performance, outcomes, and operational health.
• Design and manage continuous-improvement cycles using Lean Six Sigma methodology and a Plan-Do-Review framework.
• Conduct primary and secondary research to identify industry best practices and benchmark organizational performance.
• Prepare and deliver presentations for executive and senior leadership.
• Create formal documentation, including policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and how-to guides, to support implementation and sustainment of improvements.
• Build models for programs and initiatives to calculate ROI, payback periods, labor justifications, and other cost-benefit components.
• Develop working relationships with internal MBTA and external stakeholders.
• Perform assigned data cleaning, data analysis, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and writing and proofreading of proposals and project reports.
• Support MBTA lean training programs as required, including Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and Green Belt training and workshops.
• Participate in team and staff meetings, organizational events, and other duties as necessary.
• Perform other assigned duties and projects; responsibilities may focus on one or more departments or locations.

Benefits

• Intern and co-op employees are eligible for accrued paid sick leave.
• Intern and co-op employees are eligible for a monthly transportation pass at no cost, based on the city from which they commute.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager