Chief Operations Officer (Project Management)

At Regional Transportation District (RTD), We make lives better through connections!

When you join RTD, you will be among dedicated employees exhibiting RTD's values of passion, respect, diversity, trustworthiness, collaboration, and ownership. RTD is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. As part of our diversity value statement, we encourage our employees to honor diversity in thought, people, and experience. Come join RTD on this great journey to be the trusted leader in mobility, delivering excellence and value to our customers and community.

RTD Employee Benefits: https://www.rtd-denver.com/careers/benefits

(RTD Represented Employee Benefits: Please refer to the Labor Agreement included in the above link for details.)

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) serves as the agency's primary operations executive for transit service delivery, overseeing all core functions including bus and rail operations and maintenance, paratransit and microtransit services, service planning and scheduling, maintenance of way, as well as capital vehicle procurement. This role is responsible for optimizing the agency's performance in delivering public transit services in support of customers.

The COO drives organizational success through strategic management of daily transit operations, guiding long-term service planning with functional insight, and overseeing operating resources and capital assets. Further, the COO ensures services are efficient, equitable, and future-focused by championing innovative technologies and transit delivery initiatives.

As a key member of RTD's executive leadership team, the COO plays a pivotal role in advancing the agency's “People Power” strategic objective by fostering an employee-centric culture that drives excellence in community value and service delivery. The COO exemplifies RTD's core values while actively supporting fellow members of the executive leadership team in cultivating productive and collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners. The COO reports directly to the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (GM/CEO).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILTIES:

Executive Leadership and Consultation

Directs and is accountable for the outcomes of the following departments/divisions:

• Bus and Rail Operations: provides strategic leadership and direction to Bus and Rails Operations. Reviews, develops and directs the implementation of policies and strategies to continuously improve services and the safety of all RTD employees and customers. Ensures all resource levels are optimized for maximum operational efficiency.
• Paratransit and Microtransit Services: provides leadership, administration and direction for all aspects of the organization's ADA complementary and supplemental paratransit services (i.e., Access-a-Ride, Access-on-Demand) and Microtransit programs (FlexRide).
• Service Development: responsible for planning, scheduling, implementing and evaluating transit services, responding to requests for new and redesigned services; policy and strategic analysis; overseeing run cutting, GIS, APC and other analytical support systems; coordination of data sharing with various departments and divisions.

Leads the development and implementation of annual business plans that support the strategic objectives of a multi-modal transit agency.

Serve as an official agency representative and/or spokesperson as delegated by the GM/CEO.

Fosters a safety culture internally and externally liaising with the state safety oversight agency, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and other applicable regulatory agencies to ensure a mechanically safe deployment of services.

Consults with the GM/CEO and other members of the Leadership Team on policy and operational matters serving as a strategic thought partner by engaging in exploration, deliberation, and determination of matters as required.

Works collaboratively with internal stakeholders to identify, design and execute on strategic initiatives in support of the Agency's strategic plan.

Serves as a senior lead in the annual budget planning process an actively engage with department budget holders to ensure accurate forecasting and expense management for areas of accountability.

Establishes, within District policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures and allocates resources accordingly.

Cultivates a culture of excellence, engagement, inclusion, diversity, belonging, and accessibility.

Take action to advance the goals of RTD's Equal Employment Opportunity, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Title VI and ADA plans, thereby ensuring RTD's hiring programs and work environment, contracting and procurement practices, and transit services/programs are fair, equal and non-discriminatory.

People Power Management

• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, analyzes, and monitors workflows within the agency.
• Maintains appropriate staffing levels and review progress to ensure the quality and quantity of work meets standards and deadlines for deliverables to meet program goals and objectives.

• Recruits staff, to include interviewing, hiring, assigning work, training, coaching, and counseling, ensuring consistent application of Employee Guidelines, processes, and procedures.
• Conducts performance reviews and hold employees accountable for optimal performance of their responsibilities.

Additional Duties:

• Delivers monthly presentations to the Board of Directors' Operations, Safety and Security Committee and also serves as the Executive Liaison.
• Informs and advises the GM/CEO regarding current trends, opportunities, and activities to facilitate both short, mid, and long-term strategic plans as well as improve operational performance.
• Reviews and recommends new or revised internal operating policies, processes, and procedures.
• Creates, manages, and implements key organizational performance metrics.
• Participates on various committees, training events, special projects, and focus groups, including activities to maintain current knowledge of developments in the relevant profession and culture of the organization.
• Represents RTD on various standing or ad hoc committees or meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business, political science, planning, public administration, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of C-suite leadership – senior/executive-level management.
• Five (5) years of leading and managing second-level management within a multi-modal public transportation agency.
• Experience leading and managing in a unionized environment.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in public administration, business administration, transportation management, planning, or related field.

• Ten (10) years of C-suite leadership – senior/executive-level management within a multi-modal public transit agency.
• Demonstratable experience in the development and/or implementation of a comprehensive operational analysis

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• An in-depth working knowledge of business management principles, asset management, finance, budgeting, and federal/state/local government or other public entity operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and deliver effective professional presentations to governing bodies, regulators, employees, and the general public.
• The ability to communicate and interact with elected and public officials at all levels of government, business, and industry and work effectively with a wide range of diverse constituencies and stakeholders.
• The ability to motivate staff and successfully manage a variety of projects, programs, and initiatives.
• The ability to develop effective financial plans, manage agency assets, and analyze/interpret financial data and reports for the purpose of developing strategic business plans.

Or:

An equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.

• The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.

Career Map:

Based on job performance, experience, education and position availability the next step on the career map for this position may be:

General Manager/Chief Executive Officer

We are considering all applications for this position up until the position close date of 7/25/2025. For consideration, please be sure to apply before the posting end date. 

Please complete the application in its entirety. Include all previous employment so that it may be taken into consideration. Please include a resume attachment with submittal of your application. Resume should document months and years with your dates of employment. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received before the closing date and time listed. 

Pay Range:

$236,397.00 - $337,980.00 Annual

RTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy [ https://www.rtd-denver.com/sites/default/files/files/2022-12/EEO%20Policy%20Statement-%20UPDATED.pdf ]

RTD posts a compensation range that represents a good faith estimate of what RTD anticipates paying for the position at the time of posting.  Starting salary is based on the candidate's relevant and verified education, training and work experience.  Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application.