Director, Product Development - Timekeeping

Director, Product Development – Timekeeping This role is responsible for overseeing the development of product lifecycles from inception through design, build, and eventual retirement. It requires deep knowledge in an IT discipline critical to IT operations and a broad understanding of related domains such as AI/ML, cloud services, cyber security, penetration testing, architecture, and more. Job Responsibilities Lead interdisciplinary teams to design, develop, and maintain product lines critical to MTA IT operations. Manage the full product development process, including strategy, execution, performance, and retirement. Premium Role Responsibilities Possesses knowledge in an IT discipline critical to IT operations and a broad understanding of related domains such as AI/ML, cloud services, cyber security, penetration testing, architecture, etc. Researches and implements new leading market practices. Sets standards to inform the strategic direction of key IT disciplines such as AI/ML, cloud services, cyber security, penetration testing, architecture, etc. Possesses knowledge of UX principles to guide the development of products that provide a seamless and intuitive user experience. May collaborate with the cybersecurity team to conduct penetration testing and manage White Hat operations to safeguard software assets. May contribute to the design and implementation of machine learning models and AI strategies to enhance transportation computing offerings. May assist in the development and management of cloud‑based infrastructure, ensuring scalability, security, and performance. Works closely with senior management to execute software development projects that align with the organization’s strategic goals. May support the software engineering teams, advocating for best practices in coding, testing, and continuous integration/deployment. Core Role Responsibilities Oversees the product vision and strategy being implemented into the product development team’s work. Reviews and oversees potential risks to the product, supporting the development of mitigation strategies. Develops the budget for product initiatives and ensures they are completed on time and within budget. Leads and manages through change, adapting to shifting priorities and market conditions. Translates strategies and policies into operational plans, ensuring alignment with company objectives. Directs IT teams, fostering professional growth and ensuring adherence to best practices. Delivers monthly or quarterly results, with performance subject to regular review against targets. Collaborates with IT and business leaders to create and manage product roadmaps aligned with digital strategies. Oversees team compliance with governance processes and adherence to technology architectures and methodologies. Develops and monitors system support processes to maintain product quality and sustainability. Understands customer needs, market trends, and the competitive landscape to inform product strategy and feature prioritization. Contributes to or influences the strategic direction of one or more disciplines within IT. Directs day‑to‑day operations and motivates team(s) to achieve results; may be responsible for a budget. Oversees product lifecycle from ideation through definition, prototyping, design, validation, launch, run stage, and eventual retirement. Records metrics on the sustainability, viability, and quality of delivered products within agreed service targets. Monitors the effectiveness and efficiency of product(s), then develops, proposes, and implements improvement strategies. Oversees team priorities and resource demand/supply; recommends timelines and resources needed to achieve goals and objectives. Attracts, develops, coaches, and retains high‑performance team members, empowering them to elevate responsibility, span of control, and performance. Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks from many sources such as financial instability, legal obligations, strategic mistakes, and unforeseen incidents. Ensures program, portfolio, product, and personnel adhere to all organizational policies, procedures, and relevant laws and regulations, including MTA standards, ethical policies, and guidelines. Establishes and monitors metrics for organizational performance to align with MTA objectives, maintaining dashboards and monitoring tools. If applicable, identifies and selects vendors and products to be standardized by MTA, and oversees contract establishment and procurement with IT Finance, technical teams, Legal, Procurement, agency personnel, and vendors. Performs other duties and tasks as assigned. Observes the work performed by the contractor. Reviews invoices and approves them if work meets contractual standards. Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible. Escalates issues to other parties as needed. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s Degree or related fields or equivalent experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with at least four years of supervisory or management experience. Technical Skills An expert with deep understanding of technology. Expert ability to develop and implement enterprise product solutions; prioritize, multitask, and work in an agile environment. Strong experience managing projects and initiatives. Experience with shifting business needs and demands. Experience in at least one software engineering methodology: Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, DevOps, XP, Kanban, Lean, RAD. Experience with languages such as Ruby, Python, Java, C++, COBOL, and vendor platforms like Azure, Windows Server, Linux. Premium Technical Skills Knowledge of network security, including firewalls, enterprise cloud integrations, and systems administration for Linux and Windows OS, including virtualization. Knowledge of hybrid multi‑cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP) and on‑premises systems. Knowledge of cloud computing: architecture, development, operations, security, automation, financial management. Knowledge of infrastructure automation using scripting languages (shell, Python, Ruby, PowerShell) and configuration management tools (Terraform, Chef, Puppet, CloudFormation). Knowledge of large‑scale data center migrations to the cloud. Knowledge of AI/ML solutions and operations. Knowledge of modern AI and ML frameworks and architectures to develop and deploy AI models. Knowledge of simulation modeling and analysis for rail systems, such as train performance simulators, traffic management, and maintenance software. Knowledge of evaluating an organization’s security infrastructure, IT systems, and protocols. Knowledge of conducting authorized security penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities. Leadership Skills Expert leadership in leading change by fostering communication and culture during growth. Expert leadership in guiding people, ensuring consistent, high‑quality project management discipline. Expert leadership in driving results, making data‑driven decisions that meet goals. Expert leadership in business acumen, directing evaluation, selection, and maintenance of information systems. Expert leadership in building coalitions, forming internal and external partnerships to achieve mission goals. Behavioral Skills Demonstrated ability to lead teams, coach, and give direct feedback. Expert in active listening, attention to detail, customer service, prioritization, and problem solving. Expert in working independently and strategically. Expert in identifying and mitigating risks. Expert technical knowledge and diverse skillset for varied technologies. Expert in critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Expert in communication skills, collaborating with technical and non‑technical peers. Expert in managing multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing by urgency and impact. Extensive hands‑on experience with related tools. Expert in working under pressure and meeting deadlines, logically assessing problems. Expert in identifying complex business and technology risks and vulnerabilities. Expert in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing. Expert in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with employees at all levels. Core Competencies Collaborates – Expert: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Cultivates Innovation – Expert: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful. Customer Focus – Expert: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer‑centric solutions. Communicates Effectively – Expert: Delivering clear multi‑mode communications for various audiences. Tech Savvy – Expert: Anticipating and adopting innovations in business‑building digital and technology applications. Technical Skills – Expert: Specialized knowledge and expertise on tools, programs, domains, platforms, and products used for specific tasks. Values Diversity – Expert: Recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and cultures. Equal Employment Opportunity MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply. Other Information Pursuant 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 with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”). #J-18808-Ljbffr Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)