Job ID #31074: Director, Transit

City of Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking city as the Director of Transit, where you will lead the strategic direction of an essential municipal service. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of transit in a vibrant community, ensuring accessibility and integration for all residents. You will work closely with various stakeholders, manage a diverse team, and drive initiatives that enhance public transportation while responding to the city's growth and climate goals. If you are passionate about making a significant impact in urban mobility and community engagement, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in transit or municipal environment.
• Proven financial management skills for large-scale budgets.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead accountability for the City’s Transit Division and its strategic direction.
• Promote public transit as a key City program for equitable access.
• Manage compliance with safety and operational standards.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Management

Communication

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Public Transit Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Public Administration

Post-graduate education

Job description

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully. #BeTheReason

• Job ID #31074: Director, Transit
• Union: Non-Union
• Job Description ID #: 531
• Close date: Interested applicants please submit your application online at www.hamilton.ca/city-council/jobs-city by 4:00 p.m. on May 21, 2025.
• Internal applicants should apply with your work e-mail address. External applicantsare considered only after the internal posting process has been completed. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.
  
  
  

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the General Manager of Public Works, the Director of Transit assumes lead accountability and responsibility for the City’s Transit Division, which is comprised of the following Sections: Business Services (Accessible Transportation Services, Customer Experience and Innovation, Support Services, Quality Management System), Operations, Scheduling and Infrastructure, Strategic Planning and Maintenance.

The Director of Transit is responsible for the strategic direction of the City’s municipal transit service and will develop a system which meets the City’s growth needs and strategic vision for integrated, accessible, and multimodal transportation, in keeping with the City’s vision, mission and values, the Official Plan, the Transportation Master Plan, Safe Streets Guidelines and the Transit Growth Plan and supporting regional transit plans with Metrolinx.

The Director of Transit has lead accountability for delivering for long term vision and transit planning, including implementation of higher order transit (BLAST Network operating as Bus/Rail Rapid Transit), a Transit Growth Plan and integration to the Hamilton Light Rail Transit project in order to increase modal split in response to Council Priorities, the Transportation Master Plan and Climate Emergency.

Promotes the value and importance of public transit as a pivotal City program which ensures equitable access to employment, education, housing and leisure and as a component of the City’s response to the Climate Emergency, through interactions with stakeholders, both internal and external. Highlights the role Transit plays in municipal excellence as a driver of economic prosperity, opportunity and equity.

Responsible to foster relations with internal and external stakeholders to advance the City’s transit plan for system and ridership growth as well as influence modal split. This will include participating in stakeholder and government relations with outside agencies to pursue funding opportunities. Effectively liases with elected officials, consultants, advocates and community groups while representing the City.

Directs and ensures compliance with all legislatively mandated requirements under various acts, codes and by-laws at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels of government to ensure safe operations for employees and customers, while managing reputational risk to the City.

Evaluates and reports on Divisional service delivery, financial and administrative performance against internal and external benchmarks. Responsible to design and implement performance of all Divisional Sections. Designs and implements strategies to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Sets above average standards and leads by example.

Fosters positive labour relations and exemplifies cooperation and diplomacy in dealing with the ATU Local 107. Ensures that the terms of the Collective Agreement are adhered to. Serves as the lead Divisional representative on the bargaining committee during labour negotiations. Responsible for developing recommended contract terms that support efficient and effective transit service.

Promotes teamwork, collaboration, and a customer-centric focus within Transit and beyond, with other Divisions, Departments and other parties participating in cross-functional and cross-program initiatives.

Participates in Public Works Department Leadership Team and supports cross department collaboration. Leads the Transit Leadership Team to focus Divisional efforts on employee engagement, customer experience and collaboration in keeping with the Guiding Principles of ReEnvision and the core concepts of Passion, Belonging, Promise, Growth, Connection and Community from the HSR Way.

All of which shall be managed in accordance with City and Provincial guidelines with minimal disruption to the public in the most effective and efficient manner consistent with the City of Hamilton Strategic Plan and Mission, Vision and Values, Public Works Business Plan: Innovate Now and the City of Hamilton Corporate Culture Pillars.

GENRAL DUTIES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO)

Assumes lead accountability and responsibility for the Transit Division and delivery of conventional, accessible and on demand transit services to meet the growing needs of the City of Hamilton.

The Director of Transit will routinely work alongside the Ministry of Transportation and Metrolinx on matters of mutual interest that align with goals for regional transportation, including fare and service integration, and with other transit agencies within the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

Oversees the development of programs and policies which advance Transit within the City of Hamilton based on Council direction and projects of shared interest in the City,

Prepares capital and operating budgets for presentation to the General Manager, including multi-year forecasting tied to the growth plan.

Determines opportunities for federal and provincial transit funding, including directing project development, planning and execution to maximize funds available from senor orders of government. Seeks authority from Council on qualifying plans through effective recommendations, reporting and presentations. Collaborates with other City departments to maximize available funding.

As the primary business relationship manager between the City of Hamilton and the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Director of Transit will promote collaborative union management relations and support the City’s Chief Negotiator during collective bargaining. Will ensure the Collective Agreement is respected in the workplace.

Attends and presents at various Committee/Council and public meetings on relevant matters. Capable of effectively communicating complex ideas, both in writing and in presentation format. Prepares and presents written reports for Council and other internal and external groups. Ensures professional staff recommendations are based on data analysis and formation and testing of alternative solutions. Effective oral communicator, including effective responses under time-sensitive conditions.

Leadership duties include ensuring a sufficient workforce is developed to meet the service expectations of the City through strategic workforce planning and professional development opportunities to ensure succession planning and business continuity.

The Director of Transit will support the Light Rail as the City’s lead for future operations integration, including supporting the development of necessary Agreements with Metrolinx to support the City’s interest and planning for service integration and operations.

Oversees annual workplan for each reporting area and gives direction and provides oversight to direct reports to enhance the overall customer experience, promote employee engagement, and facilitate excellence in service delivery.

As a senior member of the Transit Leadership Team, the Director of Transit will attend department TLT meetings to enhance cross-departmental collaboration and team communication.

As the primary media spokesperson for the Transit Division, responds to inquiries from the media regarding transit services, under varying conditions.

Ensures that employees are provided with and use the appropriate equipment, material and/or procedures required to perform the assigned duties. Ensures that all employees perform work in accordance with applicable Health and Safety legislation and all City of Hamilton department and corporate policies and procedures. Ensures that appropriate action is followed for those employees who do not work in compliance with legislation, policies and procedures.

Works in accordance with the provisions of applicable health and safety legislation and all City of Hamilton corporate, departmental and divisional policies and procedures related to occupational health and safety.

Performs other duties as assigned which are directly related to the responsibilities of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Educational requirements for this position would normally be acquired through a 4-year bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Accounting or Transportation Planning/Engineering. Post-graduate education preferred.

2. Extensive senior leadership experience required, preferably 10 years of demonstrated transit experience in positions of increasing responsibility and ideally in a municipal environment. Proven industry knowledge of Transit, including best practices, theories and trends to recommend long-term plans and policy direction for the City's Transit services.

3. Demonstrated financial management skills developing, implementing and monitoring large scale operating and capital budgets, including understanding project management for large-scale, multi year projects.

4. Highly effective leadership, facilitation, presentation, interpersonal and organizational skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Excellent presentation, analytical, organizational, report writing, and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with all levels of City staff, external consultants, and suppliers.

5. Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with elected officials, representatives of other levels of government, management, peers, staff, and the public. Previous experience working in a safety- sensitive and highly legislated environment.

6. Possesses a demonstrated record of strong leadership and guidance, customer focus, innovation/creativity, team advocacy, staff delegation, empowerment and staff development and be results oriented. Possesses a high level of personal integrity and demonstrated high standards as a leader.

7. Ability to effectively lead a multidisciplinary team in a safety-first, customer-centric environment that is highly scrutinized to ensure safety and brand reputation is protected while delivering service excellence. Possess a demonstrated record of strong leadership and guidance, customer focus, innovation/creativity, team advocacy, empowerment, and results orientation.

8. Proven knowledge and understanding of related legislation such as the Highway Traffic Act and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, other federal and provincial statues, regulations and municipal by-laws affecting the Division, including but not limited to the Employment Standards Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Ensure safe operation in accordance with Ministry of Transportation requirements to maintain the City’s Commercial Vehicle Operator Record and signing authority status.

9. Proven knowledge of general management and business administration practices to effectively provide leadership to staff of the Transit Division, including extensive experience managing multi-disciplinary teams in a unionized environment. Possess a demonstrated record of strong leadership and guidance, customer focus, innovation/creativity, team advocacy, staff delegation, empowerment, staff development and results orientation.

10. Must possess a valid class “G” Ontario Driver’s License.

Disclaimer:

Be advised that Human Resources frequently audits resumes of internal/external applicants to ensure/validate information provided is consistent and trustworthy.Falsification of information provided at any time throughout the recruitment process may be grounds for disqualification, and for internal applicants, subject to discipline up to and including termination.

Terms:

The City is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes.Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship. If you have an accommodation need, please contact Human Resources as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.