SENIOR DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS (CYBER SECURITY / SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER)

Salary: $141,148.80 - $211,681.60 Annually
Location : Los Angeles, CA
Job Type: Regular Employee
Job Number: 2401371
Cabinet: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES
Cost Center: 3198 - INFORMATION SECURITY
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: 6/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Non-Contract


Metro's mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description
Oversees, manages, and executes plans, policies, and frameworks for projects for an executive unit that may have broad organization-wide impact; coordinates and oversees the work of assigned staff on related projects or assignments.

The Senior Director, Special Projects manages the Security Operations Center (SOC) LA METRO, overseeing security monitoring, incident response, threat detection, and operational readiness across enterprise and critical transportation systems This role manages SOC Analysts, and the organization's outsourced 24/7 Managed SOC provider while driving continuous improvement of cybersecurity alerts, ingestion and incident response capabilities.
Recruitment Timelines : Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of June 15 , 2026 . These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Directs the evaluation, development, and implementation of multiple projects that may have major financial or operational impact to the department or Metro
• Oversees, manages, and executes project or program delivery strategies
• Manages staff execution of key workstreams and tasks
• Scopes and oversees consultant support workstreams
• Directs cross-functional development teams to address departmental issues
• Works cross functionally with other departments to understand needs and strategic direction and ensure that department is aligned to meet client's support requirements utilizing existing processes and tools and identifying areas for new solution development
• Directs the development of business plans, objectives, initiatives, policies, and strategies for department or program
• Evaluates issues that have an impact on department and/or Metro and facilitates executive decision making
• Directs coordination of process and systems analysis, and oversees the development and recommendation of solutions, enhancements, testing, and implementation activities for assigned projects
• Develops recommendations for policy and administrative procedural changes that contribute toward continuous improvement and streamlining efforts
• Develops short- and long-range plans; establishes priorities and goals/objectives for functional department
• Develops, studies, and reports to evaluate productivity of functional areas and eliminate impediments to peak performance
• Directs the preparation of capital project budgets, monitors and controls expenditures, initiates procurements, and approves payment of invoices
• Develops financial and administrative studies and reports
• Directs and participates in the preparation of Requests for Proposals (RFPs); participates in proposal evaluation, vendor/consultant selection, and contract negotiation processes; monitors progress of consultants, develops and manages consulting budgets, and recommends payment for services
• Presents monthly status briefing to executive management and compiles monthly published reports for financial staff, FTA (Federal Transit Administration), and Metro's executive office, as required
• Represents department to the public and press
• Supervises, coordinates, oversees, trains, mentors, and motivates assigned employees
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications
A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, Urban Planning, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of management-level experience overseeing capital and/or other project management functions

Certifications/Licenses

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.
The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience supporting cybersecurity operations within large scale public transportation, critical infrastructure, utility, or public sector environment.
• Experience building and maturing a Security Operations Center program including people, process, tooling, metrics, and operations.
• Experience working with managed security service providers, or third-party cybersecurity monitoring organizations.
• Experience developing executive cybersecurity dashboards, operational metrics, board level reporting, and strategic operational briefings.
• Experience implementing cybersecurity frameworks and standards including NIST, MITRE ATT&CK, ISO, TSA Security Directives

Essential Knowledge
Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, practices, and tools of project management and development
• Transportation planning, engineering, construction, and operations
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing policies, trends, strategies, and developments for areas such as project management, the transportation industry, environmental impact
• Public and transportation project finance and funding
• Capital budget development and administration
• Public procurement policies and procedures
• New and emerging technology and innovation practices
• Modern management theory
• Applicable business software applications

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Program/project management and development
• Managing projects from inception to culmination
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Critical thinking and synthesis of ideas and concepts
• Policy research, analysis, and development
• Building consensus and support around new concepts and innovations
• Coordinating, facilitating, and motivating internal and external clients to make sound business decisions
• Developing and implementing policies, procedures and strategies
• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in making decisions and solving complex problems
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing
• Preparing comprehensive written correspondence, analyses, recommendations, and public reports
• Providing oral and written presentations and briefings for senior decision makers
• Interacting professionally with various levels of employees and outside representatives

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Develop new concepts and ideas to improve program/project performance that adhere to Metro policy and applicable rules, laws, and regulations
• Analyze project information to develop and implement recommendations
• Quickly obtain, analyze, and synthesize information
• Write and speak concisely and persuasively
• Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships
• Manage multiple stakeholders at various levels of seniority from a range of disciplines
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Plan financial and resource needs
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

(SA)


Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with hiring practices.
Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.
Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)
Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)
East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)
Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)
Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)
Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.
*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES


Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.


We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years 20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days
Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits : Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro's Pension & Benefits website at
01


Please acknowledge that the following responses will be used to supplement and expand on the Work Experience section of your application. It is important to provide detailed answers and do not refer to or rely on a resume or other documentation as we will not review resumes to determine qualifications. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as accurate as possible. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I agree and understand my resume will not be reviewed

02


Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• I do not have education equivalent to grade 12
• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university
• PhD from an accredited college or university

03


Please select the number of years of relevant management-level experience you have in overseeing capital and/or other project management functions.

• No management-level experience
• Less than 5 years
• 5 years or more, but less than 7 years
• 7 years or more, but less than 9 years
• 9 years or more

04


If you indicated having experience in overseeing capital and/or other project management functions, please describe your relevant experience and list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.
05


Describe your relevant experience supporting cybersecurity operations within large scale public transportation, critical infrastructure, utility, or a public sector environment. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.
06


Describe your relevant experience building and maturing a Security Operations Center program including people, process, tooling, metrics, and operations. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.
07


Describe your relevant experience working with managed security service providers, or third-party cybersecurity monitoring organizations. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.
08


Describe your relevant experience developing executive cybersecurity dashboards, operational metrics, board level reporting, and strategic operational briefings. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.
09


Describe your relevant experience implementing cybersecurity frameworks and standards including NIST, MITRE ATT&CK, ISO, TSA Security Directives and/or similar. Please list the position title(s) and dates of employment in which you gained this experience. If you do not have this experience, please list "N/A" in the field below.
Required Question