Transit Operations Manager

Transit Operations Manager

The Transit Operations Manager manages daily transit operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient service. This role leads the transit fleet's lifecycle, oversees dispatch workflows, manages driver contracts, and directs long-term transit planning and network development. The ideal candidate maintains operational efficiency, optimizes fleet uptime, and designs service routes to meet community needs 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.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of dispatch, customer experience, and transit ops staff to ensure continuous communication and smooth daily operations.
• Manage daily transit operations ensuring system-wide adherence to commission-approved KPIs.
• Lead the Transit Planner in designing, analyzing, and optimizing transit routes, timetables, and service schedules.
• Analyze ridership trends and operational data to improve service efficiency, enhance the rider experience, and identify service gaps and expansion 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.
• Manage and/or partner on comprehensive new-hire training programs focused on safety, equipment operation, and customer experience.
• Assist in incident investigations, respond to difficult and sensitive issues, identify and report findings and take necessary corrective action.
• Manage budgets, staffing resources, and operational priorities while continuously identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Manage the accurate collection, verification, and timely submission of monthly and annual reports to the FTA National Transit Database, MnDot, MetCouncil, the SWT Commission and others as needed.
• Work with cross functional teams to map the customer journey, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement across all touchpoints.
• Oversee service design and execution.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term operational strategies that align with agency goals and community needs. Guide long-range transit planning, service standards, and network development.
• 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 driver ops operating budgets, and monitor expenditures to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Safety and Risk Specialist to minimize incidents and improve safety.
• Be the liaison between SWT and the driver contractors.
• Oversee the collection and analysis of customer feedback from various channels including social media, surveys, focus groups, etc..
• Identify, partner, and execute on opportunities for enhancing customer experience from loyalty programs to appreciation events.
• Fleet Management
  • Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of transit vehicles, including capital planning, procurement, deployment, and disposal.
  • 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.
• All other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Public Administration, or other related field
• 5-7 years progressively responsible experience in public transportation system with at least 3 years leading teams
• Proven ability to lead and mentor teams
• Strong proficiency in scheduling, routing, and mapping software
• Experience with transit scheduling and run-cutting software, micro-transit operations, transit performance analytics and reporting, geo-spatial analysis, and contract management
• Embraces SWT values of Purpose, Integrity, Continuous Learning, Innovation, Belonging and Accountable
• Strong understanding of GTFS and transit data standards, transit funding and grant administration

Preferred: Expertise in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations This role is 100% in office. SouthWest Transit participates in E-Verify. Upon job acceptance, candidate will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation to verify identity and employment eligibility.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

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 using a keyboard. However, this varies depending on the season. A significant amount of time is spent handling paper and maintaining files.