Assistant General Manager - Planning and Project Delivery

1. Provide Executive Leadership for Planning and Project Delivery:

• Lead the strategic vision, direction, and management of the Service Development, ABRT, TOD, and Facilities Planning offices.
• Build and sustain a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Ensure that planning and project delivery strategies align with the agency's long-range goals and regional transportation priorities.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success.

• Direct all aspects of transit service planning, project design, engineering, and delivery of major capital projects.
• Oversee development of short and long-range service plans, ensuring integration with existing transit modes and regional development.
• Ensure project scope, budget, and schedule are effectively managed to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Lead the development of capital improvement programs (CIP) in coordination with internal and external partners.

• Serve as Metro Transit's key liaison to the Metropolitan Council's MPO function, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and regional, state, and local agencies.
• Represent Metro Transit at legislative committees, public hearings, advisory boards, and community meetings.
• Partner with local governments, business leaders, and community organizations to develop equitable transit-oriented development strategies.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with elected officials and stakeholders to secure funding, public support, and project approvals.

• Oversee departmental and project budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency.
• Direct the preparation and presentation of budget requests, expenditure tracking, and financial reporting.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities for capital and planning projects.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial and contracting requirements.

• Lead, mentor, and develop division staff; ensure professional growth and succession planning.
• Promote collaboration among interdisciplinary project teams.
• Foster a workplace that values inclusivity, communication, and shared accountability.
• Ensure a safe and supportive environment for all staff consistent with Council values.

• Promote innovation, sustainability, and equity across planning and project delivery practices.
• Ensure that project outcomes reflect community priorities and minimize displacement or adverse impacts on historically underrepresented populations.
• Contribute to Metro Transit's regional initiatives supporting climate action, accessibility, and sustainable transportation.

Any of the following combinations of education and experience in Transportation, Business Management, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field are acceptable. Experience must include progressively responsible management in a multi-modal transportation or public-sector organization:

• High school diploma AND fourteen (14) years of required experience, including five (5) years of supervisory or senior management experience leading multiple functional units and major projects.
• Associates degree AND twelve (12) years of related experience, including five (5) years of supervisory or senior management experience leading multiple functional units and major projects.
• Bachelor's degree AND ten (10) years of experience, including five (5) years of supervisory or senior management experience leading multiple functional units and major projects.
• Master's degree AND eight (8) years of experience, including five (5) years of supervisory or senior management experience leading multiple functional units and major projects.

• Demonstrated success delivering large-scale planning or capital projects on time and within budget.
• Proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams in complex operational or capital environments.
• Experience managing public-sector budgets and collaborating with external funding partners.

• Experience managing large, diverse, cross-functional project teams and strategic initiatives.
• Experience acting as a public spokesperson before elected officials, community boards, and media.
• Experience in multi-modal transportation planning, capital development, or public policy.
• Experience with equity-centered project planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of regional, state, and federal transit planning and funding frameworks (FTA, FHWA).

• Federal, state, and regional transit planning and capital project management processes.
• Public-sector financial management, contracting, and procurement practices.
• Land use, transportation policy, and regional development frameworks.
• Principles of organizational leadership, strategic planning, and project delivery.
• Executive-level communication, negotiation, and presentation.
• Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational execution.
• Risk management, budget control, and performance monitoring.
• Developing and implementing collaborative, cross-agency partnerships.
• Lead large, multi-disciplinary teams and build organizational alignment.
• Communicate technical information in accessible, plain language.
• Foster inclusive decision-making and equitable project outcomes.
• Represent Metro Transit and the Council with credibility, integrity, and vision.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: Non-Represented - Unclassified / Grade E-1
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:
Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting, with periodic travel to project sites, partner agencies, and community meetings. May involve limited exposure to outdoor weather conditions and active construction environments.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.