Job Description

Posted Friday, April 11, 2025 at 6:00 AM | Expired Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 5:59 AM

Department: Executive

FLSA Status: Exempt, Non-Represented

Salary Range: $142,400 - $213,600

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is seeking a President & CEO to continue the transit systems work towards enhancing the quality of life in Milwaukee County through great public service. MCTS connects our community with essential transit services in an endeavor to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest County in Wisconsin. President & CEO candidates will have detailed knowledge of principles, policies, and practices of operating a large urban transit system, along with a deep understanding of mass transit strategies and the role of operations-related performance metrics.

The successful candidate will have an ability to communicate complex concepts about objectives and achievements for multiple audiences: employees, labor unions, transit passengers, elected officials, and other stakeholders. The ability to understand and influence political operatives in the furtherance of transit needs is also a must.

The President & CEO will use their experience of leading teams through problem solving processes to analyze issues at MCTS. In addition, experience evaluating talent, holding staff accountable for performance, and evaluating whether the right person is in the right seat will contribute to organizational success. Finally, a demonstratable commitment to racial equity with respect to employees, and engagement with community members will be a key to success for the individual candidate and MCTS.

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides overall strategic leadership for the organization to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies. Cultivates a culture of customer service, regulatory compliance, safety, performance management, and fiscal responsibility.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

The President & CEO leads the Executive Team and directly oversees the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operations Officer (COO), Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Customer Experience Officer (CXO) and the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

The President & CEO reports to the Milwaukee Transport Services (MTS) Board, the Director of Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides leadership and management to the MCTS organization.
• Establishes expectations in line with mission and vision and fosters a bias towards action.
• Meets with managing personnel, Deputy Director, Chief Officers, and Department Heads.
• Ensures expenses keep in line within budgets.
• Provides reports to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, including but not limited to the Committee on Transportation and Transit, as well as the Committee on Finance.
• Works with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to develop the annual operating and capital budgets.
• Presents budgets to Board of Supervisors.
• Monitors ongoing budget performance.
• Manages relationships with external stakeholders, including the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation, County Executives Office and representatives of local, state and federal offices.
• Performs other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate Professional Degree or Masters Degree in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Business Administration, or related field required. Related experience may be considered in lieu of educational requirement.
• Ten (10) years of progressively more responsible professional-level public transportation-related experience.
• Seven (7) years supervisory experience required.
• Contracts and negotiation experience preferred.
• Experience in public transportation planning or similar government structure preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of transit industry trends and best practices.
• Federal and state transit laws and regulations.
• Local and regional transit issues.
• Transit safety and security issues.
• Knowledge of MCTS operations and policies.
• Understanding of Milwaukee County government.
• Knowledge of non-profit or quasi-governmental organizational structures.
• Knowledge of financial management strategies, key performance indicators, and operations-related performance metrics.
• Knowledge of best practices in management and governance.
• Knowledge of public policy and board relations principles.
• Knowledge of external environment, community and the role of mass transit.
• Knowledge of multi-faceted business operations.
• Knowledge of essential human resources management and best practices including team building and optimizing staff performance.
• Knowledge of labor relations principles and applicable labor agreements at MCTS.
• Skilled in computer operations, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation and related software.
• Ability to manage conflict and balance competing interests from multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to determine overall company goals.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships.
• Ability to set organizational strategy.
• Ability to manage others.
• Ability to present to others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Work is frequently conducted in an office or similar indoor environment relatively free from unpleasant conditions or hazards. Work may sometimes be conducted in the community, at a construction site or in a vehicle.
• Physical requirements are those described as sedentary work exerting 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

Milwaukee County Transit System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age; protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

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