EVP, Chief Operations Officer

Dallas Area Rapid Transit • Dallas, TX

271d

About The Position

The EVP and Chief Operations Officer oversees the strategic and operational management of the bus and rail services, reporting directly to the President & Chief Executive Officer. This executive role is responsible for driving the efficiency, safety, and quality of transit operations, ensuring high standards in service delivery, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. The EVP and Chief Operations Officer leads cross-functional teams, manages budgets, and implements innovative solutions to optimize operational performance. A key focus includes developing long-term strategies to improve ridership, expand service networks, and integrate new technologies into the transit infrastructure. The EVP and Chief Operations Officer also plays a vital role in fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, government agencies, and the public to ensure the success and growth of the transit system.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Transportation, or related field.
• Ten (10) years progressively responsible general management experience in a private or public environment to include experience directing senior-level staff involved with daily operations and administration functions.
• Possess a valid Texas driver's license to operate DART non-revenue vehicles.
• Pass a physical (medical) examination that includes a drug screen.
• Proficiency of PC software applications to include Microsoft Office or other related software applications.
• Analytical and creative skills to find solutions to complex interpersonal, technical and administrative problems.
• Knowledge of budget development/analysis, and operational cost factors.
• Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work required for operational needs and stakeholder meetings.
• Physical ability required to move throughout the office and other work locations as needed, including standing, walking, and occasionally lifting or carrying objects (e.g., files, books, computer binders,) weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to be dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Ability to blend people into teams when needed. Creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team. Fosters open dialogue. Defines success in terms of the whole team. Creates a feeling of belonging in the team.
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that have the desired effect.
• Ability to marshal resources to get things done; uses resources effectively and efficiently; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal.
• Ability to use rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; can see hidden problems.
• Ability to quickly develop technical understanding; is good at learning new industry, company, or technical knowledge.
• Ability to accurately scope out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Sets objectives and goals. Breaks down work into the process steps. Develops schedules and task/people assignments. Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks. Measures performance against goals. Evaluates results.
• Ability to read a situation quickly. Good at focused listening. Can effectively negotiate difficult agreements and settle disputes equitably. Can find common ground and get cooperation with minimum noise.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to fixed route service, ADA Paratransit, maintenance, rail, and training while fostering a collaborative and results-driven work culture.
• Monitor overall system operations and identify opportunities for improvements and efficiencies through various administrative and supervisory functions including policy development, budget oversight, managing special events, projects, charter services, and assessment of statistical data and performance results.
• Lead transit operations with a focus on safety, efficiency, and customer experience.
• Implement, monitor, and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of operating and safety functions and identify areas for improvement.
• Identify and address operational deficiencies; formulate and recommend operating policies and procedures or change existing policies or procedures.
• Work closely with Maintenance leadership to support operational service needs including fleet availability/downtime, and maintenance issues affecting operational services.
• Serve as a key member of the Leadership Roundtable, working closely with the Department Heads, to establish organizational goals, objectives, strategies, and priorities, and to ensure they are effectively carried out.
• Collaborate and communicate across departments to align strategic priorities and achieve a unified vision for the organization and operations.
• Assist in establishing strategic direction for DART Operations and refining short-term goals, objectives and priorities.
• Balance long-term objectives with available resources and practice fiscally responsible decision making.
• Establish policies that promote company culture and vision while maintaining positive workforce relations and employee morale.
• Contribute to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Title VI, and the Drug and Alcohol policies and programs at DART are carried out.
• Cooperatively and efficiently perform related tasks and duties as required by the President & CEO of DART.
• Oversee day-to-day transportation operations of DART in accordance with established Board policy and applicable laws.
• Analyze financial reports to develop and implement strategies for improvement, managing costs through effective controls.
• Monitor budget for variances and take action to correct variances.
• Prepare a variety of documents and reports for management and Board review.
• Select, direct, develop, manage, and review performance of subordinate personnel.
• Operate, maintain, and safeguard Board property and funds.
• Maintain effective communications with the DART Board and federal, state, regional and local agencies, and represent DART in public meetings and hearings as the need arises.
• Represent DART to the Board and the community. Respond to the concerns and interests of a culturally, politically, and socio-economically diverse community and workforce.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Industry: Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree