Deputy Chief Operating Officer - Administrative Operations

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and prior to Covid provided more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region :

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Operations Administration) provides executive-level leadership for Metro Transit’s newly created Operations Administration Division, the centralized hub supporting more than 3,000 Operations employees. The role integrates key administrative functions and provides strategic direction and oversight for areas — Training & Workforce Development, Materials Management, Budgets, Contract Administration, Quality Assurance, Business Systems, Vehicle and Equipment, Engineering, and Technology Development; serve as liaison to Human Resources, including Labor Relations, regarding Metro Transit HR and LR issues - to deliver consistent, efficient, and accountable support for Metro Transit’s growing operations.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this position serves as a senior strategic partner to Bus and Rail Transportation, Vehicle Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, and Rail Systems Maintenance leaders, ensuring Operations divisions can focus on their core mission of delivering safe, reliable, customer-focused transit service.

The Deputy COO models Metro Transit’s values of safety, inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and service excellence, ensuring Operations Administration is positioned as a trusted enterprise partner and a key contributor to Metro Transit Forward strategic initiatives.

1. Establish and Lead the Operations Administration Division :

Build, staff, and lead a high-performing division integrating multiple administrative functions.

Develop a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement aligned with Metro Transit Forward.

Hire, mentor, and develop staff; lead succession planning and workforce capability initiatives.

Define divisional goals and metrics tied to operational effectiveness, cost efficiency, and employee engagement.

2. Provide Strategic Direction and Oversight :

Direct strategy and policy for training, materials, budgets, contracts, business systems, and technology innovation.

Ensure cross-functional alignment between administrative units and Operations divisions.

Strengthen processes, governance, and reporting to improve consistency and accountability.

Oversee budget development, resource allocation, and performance management systems.

3. Partner Across Metro Transit and the Council :

Collaborate with Regional Administration, Human Resources, Finance, and Information Services to ensure coordinated business processes.

Serve as Executive liaison for Operations with System Safety, Planning & Capital Programs, Administration & External Affairs, and Public Safety.

Represent Operations in Council meetings, interdepartmental task forces, and industry working groups.

Foster partnerships with external stakeholders to advance shared goals and best practices.

4. Drive Operational Excellence and Innovation :

Champion process improvement, digital transformation, and data-driven decision-making.

Promote technology solutions that enhance safety, reliability, and workforce productivity.

Lead change management for major organizational initiatives and new service expansions (e.g., Network Now, Green Line Extension, BRT projects).

Align administrative systems to support sustainable growth and long-term operational readiness.

5. Promote a Positive and Inclusive Workplace Culture :

Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across all Operations divisions.

Encourage collaboration and transparent communication among leaders and employees.

Model leadership behaviors that build trust and respect in a large, unionized workforce.

Routinely engage front-line employees and ride Metro Transit services to stay connected to the customer experience.

Any of the following combinations of education and experience in Business Administration, Public Administration, Transportation, or a related field are acceptable. Experience must include progressively responsible management in a large, complex public-service organization. Experience must include 5 years of supervisory / management experience.

High school diploma AND fourteen (14) years of required experience, including five (5) years of supervisory / management experience with senior management experience (leading multiple units).

Associate’s degree AND twelve (12) years of required experience, including five (5) years of supervisory / management experience with senior management experience (leading multiple units).

Bachelor’s degree AND ten (10) years of required experience, including five (5) years of supervisory / management experience with senior management experience (leading multiple units).

Master’s degree AND eight (8) years of required experience, including five (5) years of supervisory / management experience with senior management experience (leading multiple units).

AND

Demonstrated ability to oversee broad administrative, financial, workforce, and technology functions.

Proven success managing in both unionized and non-represented environments.

Experience engaging with elected officials, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications)

Experience centralizing or leading administrative functions within a large, multi-divisional organization.

Experience overseeing workforce development, succession planning, and training programs.

Experience managing budgets, contracts, and quality‑assurance systems.

Knowledge of operational technology development and implementation.

Experience leading through organizational change, growth, or restructuring.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job :

Knowledge of best practices in workforce development, budget management, contracting, materials, and business systems.

Knowledge of labor relations, collective‑bargaining agreements, and organizational development principles.

Knowledge of strategic planning, process improvement, and public‑sector management.

Skilled in leadership, communication, collaboration, and consensus‑building.

Skilled in analytical and critical‑thinking skills balancing operational and strategic objectives.

Skilled in managing complex projects and integrating cross‑functional teams.

Skilled in oral and written communication to diverse audiences and governing bodies.

Ability to lead and mentor managers and staff to achieve performance goals.

Ability to promote an inclusive, equitable, and high‑performance culture.

Ability to represent Metro Transit and the Council with professionalism and credibility.

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.

Career advancement opportunities.

Union / Grade : Non‑Represented – Unclassified / Grade E-1

FLSA Status : Exempt

Safety Sensitive : No

What your work environment would be :

Office environment with periodic travel to bus, rail, and maintenance facilities. May require attendance at Council and community meetings.

What steps the recruitment process involves :

We review your minimum qualifications.

We rate your education and experience.

We conduct a structured panel interview.

We conduct a selection interview.

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record and any criminal record. 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 background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. 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, you must pass a criminal background check. 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.

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

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affiantative 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.

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