Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 112,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) seeks a Manager, Strategic Initiatives to partner with leadership in identifying and executing strategies that boost efficiency, service quality, and overall performance across the MTA family.

You will coordinate with multiple departments on high-impact projects, conduct financial analyses, and drive continuous improvement. Teleworking is eligible for this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5–6 years of professional experience; advanced degree may substitute for 2 years.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Conduct financial analyses and business process reviews to support high-profile initiatives for MTA executive leadership.
• Support interdepartmental MTAHQ and interagency groups to execute projects.
• Provide analytical support to inform decisions affecting cost structure and productivity.
• Contribute to interdepartmental and interagency initiatives to reshape MTA as a cost-effective organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic planning

Quantitative analysis

Communication

Leadership

Multi-project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Description

POSTING NO. 17331

JOB TITLE: Manager, Strategic Initiatives

DEPT/DIV: Strategic Initiatives

WORK LOCATION: 2 Broadway

FULL/PART-TIME: FULL

SALARY RANGE: $132,000

DEADLINE: Until filled

This position is eligible for teleworking. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

Opening

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Approved AI Disclosure Language

The MTA may use AI-enabled recruiting tools as part of the recruiting process for this position. Jobvite Talent Fit, an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT), uses artificial intelligence to compare information in your resume and application materials against the qualifications, skills, experience, and requirements identified in this job posting to assist recruiters in evaluating candidate qualifications. Jobvite Auto Talent Rediscovery is an AI-enabled sourcing tool that evaluates previously submitted candidate profiles and application materials maintained within the MTA's Jobvite recruiting system to identify individuals whose qualifications may align with current job opportunities and who may be considered for outreach and invitation to apply. These tools assist recruiters and do not make employment decisions. All employment decisions include independent human review. Additional information about Talent Fit and the applicable bias audit is available at [e-mail].

AI-Enabled Recruiting Tools

You may opt out of AI-assisted evaluation by submitting a request to [e-mail].

Position Objective

This position will work with the Director to coordinate the identification and execution of strategies across the MTA family that will improve efficiency, service quality, and overall performance. These initiatives are essential to achieve MTA’s targets for recurring savings, which are a cornerstone of MTA’s financial plan. The position addresses key operational, strategic, and policy issues through the identification and implementation of best practices and other cost-saving opportunities in cooperation with agency experts; ongoing efforts of continuous improvement and coordination are essential to encouraging excellence across the family. The results are strategies and programs to optimize and improve efficiency and effectiveness through revised MTA business practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct financial analyses and business process reviews to support high-profile initiatives for MTA executive leadership, improving MTA’s economic efficiency, service quality, and overall performance.
• Support interdepartmental MTAHQ and interagency working groups to execute projects critical to reshaping MTA into a more innovative and cost-effective agency. Projects assigned to the Strategic Initiatives division have a large quantitative and/or process design component. The Manager, Strategic Initiatives, will have primary responsibility for executing the quantitative/analytical side of each project as well as supporting the project management/implementation side.
• Provide analytical support to MTA HQ departments to inform critical decisions that will impact MTA’s cost structure, performance, or overall productivity. Examples include benchmarking operational and support functions, evaluating historical cost trends, and identifying relevant drivers.
• Contribute significantly to interdepartmental and interagency working groups to execute strategic initiatives critical to reshaping MTA into a more sustainable and cost-effective organization.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Able to identify issues across many disciplines (land use, service planning, capital program funding, legal, etc.) to assist in the development of creative solutions and new ways of doing business that result in the best outcome for the MTA.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an established record of working in environments that require group consensus and cooperation among people with no direct reporting relationship to the position.
• Must be able to follow through with implementation in a complex organization and assess the need for adjustments to achieve success.
• Possesses excellent communication skills, both oral and written, as well as excellent quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Has the talent to discern different contexts and audiences and to reach consensus on strategy.
• Capable of building a strong and successful network, developing new relationships, and influencing decision-makers.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in team and/or group settings.
• Able to prioritize among competing needs and opportunities and manage multiple projects at the same time.
• Ability to solve problems and gather data sets in a large organizational setting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate initiative and results orientation.
• Familiar with strategic planning concepts.
• Proficient in PowerPoint, Excel, and other software tools.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 5-6 years of professional experience. An advanced degree may substitute for 2 years of experience.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.