Senior Manager of Operations

SouthWest Transit (MN); Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SouthWest Transit is seeking a hands-on Senior Manager of Operations to shape the future of a community-focused transit agency in Minnesota. You will lead and coach a team, optimize daily operations, and drive improvements across processes, systems, and ways of working to maximize community impact.

Responsibilities include managing budgets, analyzing ridership data, coordinating with departments and vendors, and developing long-term operational strategies that align with agency goals and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, operations, or related field.
• 7+ years progressively responsible experience in Operations Management with at least 5 years leading teams.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor teams.
• Demonstrates initiative and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team to ensure continuous communication and smooth daily operations.
• Manage daily transit operations ensuring system-wide adherence to KPIs.
• Analyze ridership trends and operational data to improve service efficiency and reduce costs.
• Prepare operational reports, service performance metrics, and grant proposals.
• Collaborate with internal departments, vendors, and external stakeholders to improve services.
• Assist in incident investigations and take corrective action as needed.
• Manage budgets, staffing resources, and priorities while identifying process improvements.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term operational strategies aligned with goals.
• Monitor on-time performance, productivity, service reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Coordinate fleet maintenance and facilities planning.
• Lead 10-year CIP planning for facilities and growth.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Operations leadership

Team mentoring

Process improvement

Data-driven decisions

Budget management

KPI tracking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on, forward-thinking Senior Manager of Operations to help shape the future of a community-focused transit agency, SouthWest Transit. With a broad scope of responsibility and significant opportunity to influence how the agency operates, this role is ideal for a leader who thrives on solving problems, challenging the status quo, and turning ideas into meaningful improvements.

From strengthening day-to-day operations and improving organizational effectiveness to developing better processes, systems, and ways of working, the Senior Manager will play a pivotal role in driving change, building operational excellence, and maximizing the agency’s impact on the community it serves. This is an opportunity to do more than manage operations-its a chance to make a lasting difference in the organization, its team, and the people who depend on its services.

SouthWest Transit is an award-winning Transit agency serving the SouthWest Twin Cities area through bus, on-demand rideshare, and shuttle services. The agency is committed to serving the needs of their customers through diverse and innovative transit solutions that build community and connect customers from where they are to where they want to go.

Mission:

We provide a premium experience for the southwest Twin Cities through safe, reliable, and cost-effective transit that builds community and connects our customers from where they are to where they want to go.

Vision:

SouthWest Transit is the leading provider of innovative transit solutions that improve livability and enhance economic opportunity in the communities we serve.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team to ensure continuous communication and smooth daily operations.
• Manage daily transit operations ensuring system-wide adherence to SouthWest Transit's commission-approved KPIs.
• Analyze ridership trends and operational data to improve service efficiency, reduce cost, and identify service gaps and opportunities.
• Prepare operational reports, service performance metrics, and grant proposals for transit development funding.
• Partner with internal departments, vendors, and external stakeholders to improve public transit services and implement new technologies.
• Assist in incident investigations, respond to difficult and sensitive issues, identify and report findings and take necessary corrective action as needed.
• Manage budgets, staffing resources, and operational priorities while continuously identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term operational strategies that align with agency goals and community needs.
• Monitor and improve on-time performance, productivity, service reliability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Utilize data analytics to support operational decision-making and continuous process improvement.
• Prepare and manage operating budgets and monitor expenditures to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Safety and Risk Specialist to minimize incidents and improve safety in and around the facilities and vehicles.
• Partner with Transit Planning to align operations and deliver efficient services.
• Be the liaison between SWT and the driver contractors. Establish regular meeting cadence to ensure open communications, clear expectations, and alignment with KPI's and contract requirements.
• Manage fleet performance metrics, fuel consumption, and operational costs using maintenance management software.
• Ensure all vehicles comply with federal, state, and local safety and regulatory standards.
• Manage the Vehicle Maintenance Manager and oversee all operations and processes in the shop including but not limited to stock levels, PMs, third-party repairs, etc.
• Manage the Facilities Manager and oversee routine and preventative maintenance for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc. for facilities.
• Manage the dispatch to ensure effective delivery of dispatch services with an eye to continuous improvement in processes.
• Develop a 10-year CIP to address long-term facility growth, space utilization, renovations, and/or new construction.
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Skills & Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, operations, or related technical field.
• 7+ years progressively responsible experience in Operations Management with at least 5 years leading teams.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor teams.
• Demonstrates initiative, continuous improvement, and is a self-starter.
• Excellent planning and follow through.
• Embraces the SWT Values of purpose, integrity, innovation, learning and belonging.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Expertise in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations
• Experience in Transportation, Logistics, Transit, or related industry

Work is indoors in a normal office environment. Occasional lifting of thirty pounds or less is required. Requires a high attention to detail or deadlines between 45% and 70% of the time. A typical workday involves about 85% of the time spent sitting and about 50% or more of the time spent using a keyboard. However, this varies depending on the season. A significant amount of time is spent handling paper and maintaining files.