Strategic Planning Manager

The Strategic Planning Manager supports the development, coordination, and implementation of Hampton Roads Transits (HRT) strategic planning initiatives, including the Transit Strategic Plan (TSP), Capital Improvement Program (CIP), service planning efforts, long-range transit plans, and high-capacity transit corridor studies. The position facilitates collaboration across departments-including Customer Service, Operations, Finance, Technology, and Marketing and Communications-as well as advisory committees, regional partners, local jurisdictions, and state and federal agencies to support alignment between agency priorities, service delivery strategies, capital investments, and financial planning.

The Strategic Planning Manager helps advance HRTs planning technology and data capabilities by promoting consistency in data collection, analysis, reporting, and performance measurement practices across planning functions. The role assists in developing meaningful reports, performance measures, presentations, and decision-support tools that provide clear and actionable information to executive leadership and the Board.

Reporting to the Chief Planning and Development Officer, the incumbent supports the department by coordinating and tracking complex planning initiatives, ensuring consistency in planning programs, policies, and methodologies, and managing cross-functional work efforts to advance HRT's strategic, service, capital, and long-range planning objectives.

Essential Job Functions:

(Duties listed are not intended to be all inclusive nor to limit duties that might reasonably be assigned.)

• Supports the development, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of HRT's strategic planning initiatives, including the TSP, CIP, service planning efforts, and other agency planning activities.
• Coordinates as needed with local governments on long-term transit development planning for all modes and supports regional transportation planning efforts throughout the HRT service area.
• Conducts and manages planning and project development activities for multimodal transit service studies, high-capacity transit corridor initiatives, fixed-guideway improvements, and other transit planning projects that may be eligible for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Starts, Small Starts, or other state and federal funding programs.
• Develops project scopes, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), budgets, schedules, and consultant procurement documents for planning and project development activities.
• Supports management consultant contracts and oversees consultant work programs, ensuring adherence to approved scope, budget, schedule, and project objectives.
• Works with local and regional transportation planning organizations, municipalities, and partner agencies to develop and advance transit elements of the regional transportation network.
• Collaborates with HRT leadership in the development and implementation of agency planning documents, strategic initiatives, and regional transit investment priorities.
• Assists the Chief Planning and Development Officer in developing multi-year capital programming, strategic planning initiatives, budget forecasts, and long-range investment priorities.
• Supports planning activities related to transit facilities, rail stations, transit centers, ferry terminals, passenger transfer facilities, and other transit infrastructure as required.
• Develops and coordinates reports, presentations, performance measures, and planning-related information to support executive leadership, the Board of Commissioners, and agency decision-making.
• Supports public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and communication efforts related to planning studies, capital projects, strategic initiatives, and project development activities.
• Responsible for management and oversight of the preparation of the National Transit Database (NTD) reports required by the Federal Transit Administration, including NTD methodology, ridership reporting processes, and associated compliance requirements.
• Coordinates with Grants Administration, Finance, Operations, and other departments regarding federal reporting requirements and compliance activities.
• Responsible for management and oversight of the department's data analytics and coordination activities among departments within the agency.
• Conducts and coordinates with Planning and Development staff on GIS-related planning analysis, mapping, and grant support activities.
• Serves as HRT's staff liaison to the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO) and other regional planning bodies and committees as assigned.
• Supervises assigned staff as necessary, including work assignments, timesheet approvals, performance evaluations, goal setting, professional development, and other supervisory responsibilities as assigned.
• Maintains effective working relationships with elected officials, public agencies, community organizations, businesses, consultants, and other stakeholders to support HRT planning and development objectives.
• Communicates agency goals, priorities, and planning initiatives through effective written and verbal communication and remains current on regulatory, legislative, funding, and industry developments affecting transit planning and development.
• Coordinates with Grants Administration, Finance, Operations, and other departments regarding federal reporting requirements, data collection activities, and compliance obligations.
• Advances and coordinates the development and maintenance of planning-related performance measures, dashboards, reports, and analytical tools to improve organizational understanding of service performance, capital investment needs, and strategic priorities.
• Supports efforts to improve consistency in data collection, analysis, reporting, performance monitoring, and information management practices across planning functions.
• Management of Origin-Destination (O&D) survey, Census and American Community Survey data updates, and related attitudinal surveys that are used for key projects and initiatives of the agency and to comply with FTA Title VI regulations.
• Manage records created and received in compliance with the Hampton Roads Transit Records Management Policies and Procedures.
• All other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Abilities and Skills essential to Job Functions:

Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of multimodal transportation planning and project management with special emphasis on transit desired. Extensive knowledge of the regulatory requirements and practices of federal, state, and local governments with regard to transit and environmental planning. Extensive knowledge of land use planning as it relates to transportation. Experienced in public participation in transit planning projects and studies. Skilled in management, including matrix management (with other groups in HRT). Team player and proponent of collaborative management. Ability to work with consultants who will be integral to the team, and through which much of the fixed guideway development, and corridor level planning will be performed. Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of staff and consultant resources. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinates. Ability to interact effectively with division staff, managers, officials, and the public, and to resolve problems. Ability to prepare, justify, and administer budgets. Ability to communicate with HRT Board members and elected officials in a clear and professional manner.

Required Software Knowledge and Skills essential to Job Functions :  

Proficiency in using computer systems and the listed software applications associated with performance of assigned work is essential. Basic problem-solving skills associated with software applications used is expected. Software usage relevant to job duties will be evaluated. 

Safety Responsibility:

Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Ensure all employees and contractors are properly trained and understand all rules, safety policies, and procedures to perform their work functions safely. Promote safety awareness by attending safety committee meetings and adhering to all safety procedures and policies. Actively conduct workplace hazard analyses for all employees to maintain a safe work environment. Encourage employee safety reporting program and communication of hazards to the Safety Department. Responsible for the timely mitigation of all unacceptable and undesirable safety risks. Accountable for safety performance within their functional area and achieving the agencys safety goals.

Training and/or Education :

Completion of at least a bachelors degree in transportation or urban planning, civil engineering, public administration, or closely related field. Masters degree or advanced degree in the field of Planning is preferred. Appropriate experience may be substituted for the above areas.

Required Experience :

Four to Eight years of progressively more responsible experience in urban transportation planning, environmental planning and project management, preferably in a transit and multimodal environment.

Licenses or Certificates :

Possess a valid Driver's License. Acquire a Virginia Driver's License within 60 days after the date of hire (in instances when an out of state license is not the applicant's current state of residence).

Special Requirements :

This position is classified as non-essential personnel.

FLSA Status :

Exempt

Physical Demands :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Unusual Demands :

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work involves meeting multiple demands on a timely basis. Duties may require work outside normal business hours and some seasonal overtime.

HRT is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need reasonable accommodations to complete the HRT employment application and/or the interview, contact HRT Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io.