MANAGER, CREATIVE SERVICES (ART PROGRAM)

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority•Los Angeles, CA

36d

About The Position

Manages the development, implementation, and performance of an assigned public art program or capital project associated with the delivery of construction integrated arts and design elements, or an assigned design/branding initiative associated with improving mobility and the quality of life of the people in Los Angeles County. The position will manage the development and implementation of unique, high-visibility public art projects, programs, and partnerships in the public transit environment. Recruitment Timeline: Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of December 8, 2025. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates. Application cut-off: Please be aware that only the first 200 applicants will be guaranteed consideration for this position. Be sure to submit your application promptly, as the bulletin will close once 200 applications are received. Contributes to the evolution and success of Metro's organizational objectives Oversees the work of staff and/or consultants Prepares and presents reports and recommendations to management and outside agencies Influences innovations in process that will realize efficiencies and cost savings Helps recruit and train top-notch staff and specialized consultants Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out For Art Program Assignment Manages highly visible capital public art projects and programs and participates in the planning, developing, and implementation of departmental work plans, goals, objectives and budgets Evaluates and approves the work of artists, conservators, staff and/or consultants in the development and implementation of capital public art projects to meet objectives within established timelines and budgets Supports the development and updating of policies, procedures, and guidelines associated with capital public art, art conservation, design excellence, and customer experience enhancements Reviews and provides departmental responses for incorporation of public art and design amenities within capital construction projects during planning, design, and construction phases Responds to Design Builder/Contractor requests for information, field meetings, fabrication shop drawings, and materials samples reviews and effects project completion punch lists Responds to requests from Metro departments and outside agencies for new additions or alterations to the transit system environment Interfaces with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to ensure quality and integrity of customer environment Manages coordination of complex projects between structural/civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, artists, lighting designers, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and safety personnel Interfaces with Metro departments, real estate developers, and contractors on joint development projects Supports and provides review comments for new transit corridor and new construction projects Works closely with Contract Administration to develop, negotiate, and execute multiple artist, professional services, and contractor agreements Manages performance of contractors and consultants, including all aspect of regulatory compliance, contract compliance, performance measurement, scheduling, prioritization of work, budget development, monitoring, and reporting Interfaces with multiple Metro departments, professional consultants, and contractors during all project and program development and implementation stages Initiates and writes scopes of work, requests for proposals/qualifications, evaluates proposals, and prepares cost estimates For Designer Assignment Conceptualizes, develops, and executes creative strategies and solutions for Metro client departments, and effectively communicates these strategies to staff and consultants Allocates and monitors workflow and identifies and allocates appropriate staff resources Collaborates with clients to refine project objectives and how they can best be accomplished within time and budgetary constraints Develops interim deadlines and ensures fulfillment of strategic project objectives within agreed upon timelines Facilitates management-level client meetings to define issues and develop strategies/workplans Responds to briefs from clients and management and plays contributing role in developing communications plans and objectives Manages, evaluates, and approves the work of staff and consultants in the design, development, and production of various communications materials, such as advertising, marketing collateral, photography, illustration, cartography, maps, fare media, and timetables to meet agency objectives within established timelines Manages the overall maintenance and application of uniform brand identity standards Analyzes highly volatile and often complex communications issues/problems and provides visual solutions that convey clear, consistent, and effective messages Develops and manages high-visibility visual design program strategies, policies, and procedures Investigates and resolves design problems by researching data in order to find the best possible solutions Plays a key role in the development of the agency's advertising strategies and campaigns Ensures quality control and digital production preparation May be required to perform other related job duties

Requirements

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:
Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communications, Urban or Transportation Planning, Arts Administration, Architecture, Graphic Design, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred
Six years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience in transportation public art planning and project management, or development of complex, highly visible design/branding/identity programs or related area; positions in this class require specialized experience in area of assignment
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
Theories, principles, and practices of project planning
Modern management theory For Art Program Assignment
Principles, policies, theories, and practices of capital program management and public art and design project development, planning, cost estimating, and budgeting
Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing transportation policies funding and planning for a public agency
Theories, principles, and practices of project and program management, transportation and land use planning, and regulations, contracts, and funding
Organization and processes of local, regional, state, and federal government, including legislative and funding processes and policies
Public sector contracting, procurement, budgeting, cost estimating, and accounting processes
Translating artwork into large outdoor formats
Concepts, practices, and procedures of architecture, environmental design, navigational schemes, user interaction, industrial design, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, materials and fabrication techniques and processes
Transportation design, construction methods, practices, and processes
ADA standards and foreign language requirements
Financial and analytical methods/processes
Copyright issues For Designer Assignment
Strategic design concepts and development of creative design concepts that work across multiple media platforms and target audience messaging needs
Current principles, theories, and practices of graphic design, environmental design, corporate identity, branding, typography, and signage
Applicable software programs, such as Adobe Creative Cloud suite, QuarkXpress, Macromedia Flash, Filemaker Pro, File Transfer Protocol software utilities, compression software utilities, font management software utilities, Final Cut Pro, and applicable business software applications
Macintosh hardware
Image resolution, offset printing processes, and digital color printer processes
Appropriate applications of computer color designations
Preparation of digital graphic computer files for printing
Various file formats and when to use each, file compression, and file and asset management including backup systems
Reproduction of black and white and color photography, and illustration
Basic math as it relates to proportion, perspective, and type specification
Qualities and properties of printing papers and inks
Other production processes, including silkscreen, embroidery, holograms, electronic fare media technologies, and other applied materials
Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
Determining strategies to achieve goals
Exercising critical judgment and creativity in making decisions
Communicating concepts effectively, verbally, and in writing
Persuading others as to the importance of quality design
Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, elected officials, artists, contractors and the public For Art Program Assignment
Capital program management and public art and design project development
Managing the activities of a major transportation project or program
Managing multidisciplinary professionals to achieve results
Managing procurement contracts and negotiations
Compiling and analyzing complex data, statistics, budgets, and forecasts
Designing build and design-bid-build project delivery processes For Designer Assignment
Troubleshooting errors and spotting defects
Building consensus and support around new/unique concepts
Work independently or in teams; think and act independently
Negotiate consensus solutions
Demonstrate and communicate an overall appreciation and understanding of quality design
Analyze identity and information requirements and develop project strategies
Manage projects and programs with tight deadlines in a highly multi-tasking environment
Apply time management skills and maintain work ethics
Establish and implement relevant policies and procedures
Think and act independently
Be detailed-oriented
Maintain organized and accurate job files
Work collaboratively or individually
Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
Supervise, train, and motivate assigned staff
Read, write, speak, and understand English For Art Program Assignment
Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, lessons learned, contracts and budgets
Respond to design builder/contractor requests for information, field meetings, fabrication shop drawings, and materials samples
Represent Metro before the public
Make financial decisions within a budget
Represent Metro before independent contractors and the public
Read architectural/construction drawings and specifications, and visual material
Resolve legal and contractual issues For Designer Assignment
Define print specifications and manage fonts
Create templates and PDF formats
Perform copy fitting including correct typeface, size, line measure, spacing, and kerning across all media
Evaluate separations, film, chromalin, and color key, and blueline proofs for accuracy and completeness
Assemble comps for client review and offset or digital printer specification
Evaluate jobs at a press check and analyze attributes or deficiencies

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and implementing complex, highly visible public art projects and programs
Experience developing, negotiating, and executing arts programming partnerships with high-profile arts organizations
Experience developing and executing public facing communications plans for high-impact arts programs
Experience writing scopes of work, requests for proposals/qualifications, evaluating proposals, and supervising artists, designers, and specialty arts contractors
Experience working with databases, managing arts related data, and preparing data driven reports

Responsibilities

Contributes to the evolution and success of Metro's organizational objectives
Oversees the work of staff and/or consultants
Prepares and presents reports and recommendations to management and outside agencies
Influences innovations in process that will realize efficiencies and cost savings
Helps recruit and train top-notch staff and specialized consultants
Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees
Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out For Art Program Assignment
Manages highly visible capital public art projects and programs and participates in the planning, developing, and implementation of departmental work plans, goals, objectives and budgets
Evaluates and approves the work of artists, conservators, staff and/or consultants in the development and implementation of capital public art projects to meet objectives within established timelines and budgets
Supports the development and updating of policies, procedures, and guidelines associated with capital public art, art conservation, design excellence, and customer experience enhancements
Reviews and provides departmental responses for incorporation of public art and design amenities within capital construction projects during planning, design, and construction phases
Responds to Design Builder/Contractor requests for information, field meetings, fabrication shop drawings, and materials samples reviews and effects project completion punch lists
Responds to requests from Metro departments and outside agencies for new additions or alterations to the transit system environment
Interfaces with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to ensure quality and integrity of customer environment
Manages coordination of complex projects between structural/civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, artists, lighting designers, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and safety personnel
Interfaces with Metro departments, real estate developers, and contractors on joint development projects
Supports and provides review comments for new transit corridor and new construction projects
Works closely with Contract Administration to develop, negotiate, and execute multiple artist, professional services, and contractor agreements
Manages performance of contractors and consultants, including all aspect of regulatory compliance, contract compliance, performance measurement, scheduling, prioritization of work, budget development, monitoring, and reporting
Interfaces with multiple Metro departments, professional consultants, and contractors during all project and program development and implementation stages
Initiates and writes scopes of work, requests for proposals/qualifications, evaluates proposals, and prepares cost estimates For Designer Assignment
Conceptualizes, develops, and executes creative strategies and solutions for Metro client departments, and effectively communicates these strategies to staff and consultants
Allocates and monitors workflow and identifies and allocates appropriate staff resources
Collaborates with clients to refine project objectives and how they can best be accomplished within time and budgetary constraints
Develops interim deadlines and ensures fulfillment of strategic project objectives within agreed upon timelines
Facilitates management-level client meetings to define issues and develop strategies/workplans
Responds to briefs from clients and management and plays contributing role in developing communications plans and objectives
Manages, evaluates, and approves the work of staff and consultants in the design, development, and production of various communications materials, such as advertising, marketing collateral, photography, illustration, cartography, maps, fare media, and timetables to meet agency objectives within established timelines
Manages the overall maintenance and application of uniform brand identity standards
Analyzes highly volatile and often complex communications issues/problems and provides visual solutions that convey clear, consistent, and effective messages
Develops and manages high-visibility visual design program strategies, policies, and procedures
Investigates and resolves design problems by researching data in order to find the best possible solutions
Plays a key role in the development of the agency's advertising strategies and campaigns
Ensures quality control and digital production preparation