Manager, Strategic Initiatives & Business Operations

RTD•Rock Hill, SC

4d•$92,003 - $129,955

About The Position

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives & Business Operations provides leadership and strategic oversight for a diverse portfolio of projects and business operations supporting Bus and Rail operations. The position ensures cross-functional initiatives, operational priorities, and business functions align with organizational objectives and effectively support transit service delivery. It has broad accountability for strategic and special projects, business and financial management, budget oversight, performance management, and data analytics across multiple operational areas. Initiatives may span Bus and Rail operations, contracted services, capital and operational programs, and other organizational priorities requiring coordination across departments and disciplines. The role manages business and financial functions, including operating and capital budgets, procurement support, financial monitoring, and resource planning. It leads development of analytics, performance reporting, dashboards, and management information, translating complex data into actionable recommendations for management, executives, the Board, regulators, and organizational decision-making. It also oversees staff, supports employee performance and development, and fosters a safety-first, inclusive, accountable work culture. The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues. The employee must be able to travel independently between multiple locations as operational needs require. Based on job performance, experience, education, and position availability, a possible next career-map step is Director, Contracted Services and Business Operation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Project Management, Transportation, Data Analytics, or a related field, or relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
At least five years of professional experience in one or more of business operations, project or program management, financial management, budgeting, data analytics, transportation operations, or related fields.
Three years of management or supervisory experience overseeing professional, technical, and/or contracted staff.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Advanced knowledge of project and program management principles, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, stakeholder coordination, implementation, and performance monitoring.
Knowledge of business operations, financial management, operating and capital budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, procurement, and financial controls.
Knowledge of data analytics and performance management, including KPI development, trend analysis, dashboards, data visualization, and management reporting.
Knowledge of transportation operations and the interrelationship among operational, financial, technical, contractual, and administrative functions.
Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate complex information, identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and develop practical recommendations.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities, lead cross-functional teams, manage competing demands, mitigate risks, and deliver results within established schedules and budgets.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information, prepare executive-level reports and presentations, facilitate discussions, build consensus, and engage employees, leadership, contractors, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, discretion, and independent decision-making; adapt to changing priorities; drive process improvements; and maintain accountability, accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Experience managing complex projects or initiatives involving multiple departments, stakeholders, or functional areas.
Experience with financial and budget analysis, forecasting, performance reporting, and data-driven decision-making.
Experience developing reports, presentations, dashboards, project documentation, and management-level recommendations.
Demonstrated experience coordinating multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines in a complex operational environment.
Ability to travel independently between multiple locations as operational needs require.
An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, Public Administration, Project Management, Transportation, or a related discipline.
Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), or other recognized project/program management certification.
Experience within public transportation, transit operations, rail, bus operations, government, public-sector organizations, or other complex operational environments.
Experience managing or supporting operating and capital budgets.
Experience working with contracted services, procurement, contracts, consultants, or public-private partnerships.

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate business operations and financial functions supporting Bus and Rail operations and assigned organizational programs, including operating and capital budget development, administration, monitoring, and forecasting.
Monitor expenditures, commitments, encumbrances, forecasts, and budget-to-actual performance; conduct financial analyses; and develop cost estimates, business cases, and recommendations for management decision-making.
Coordinate with Finance and departmental leadership on budget development, forecasting, financial closeout, and resource planning.
Support procurement and contracting activities, including cost estimates, scopes of work, requisitions, purchase orders, contract financial monitoring, invoice review, and expenditure tracking.
Evaluate financial and operational performance to identify trends, efficiencies, cost-saving opportunities, resource needs, and process improvements; maintain business processes, financial controls, documentation, and reporting.
Lead development and delivery of data analytics, performance reporting, dashboards, and management information for Bus and Rail operations, projects, and programs.
Develop and monitor KPIs and performance measures; analyze trends, benchmarks, and operational, financial, contractual, and project data to identify performance trends, risks, emerging issues, and opportunities for improvement.
Translate complex data into actionable reports, presentations, and recommendations for management, executive, Board, regulatory, and organizational decision-making.
Collaborate with operational departments, Information Technology, Finance, contractors, data analysts, and other stakeholders to improve data quality, collection, reporting, visualization, and analytical capabilities.
Maintain appropriate staffing levels and review work progress to ensure quality, quantity, and deadlines meet program goals and objectives.
Recruit staff, including interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling, to support consistent application of employee guidelines, processes, and procedures.
Conduct performance reviews and hold employees accountable for their responsibilities.
Foster a safety-first culture that prioritizes prevention, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Advance the goals of Equal Employment Opportunity, Small/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI, and ADA plans in hiring, the work environment, contracting and procurement, and transit services and programs.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.