Houston-Galveston Area Council
Senior Director of Transportation
Houston-Galveston Area Council, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
We're looking for our next Senior Director of Transportation at the Houston-Galveston Area Council. Be a part of our nationwide search and you might become the next leader of one of the largest and most rapidly growing Metropolitan Planning Organizations in the country.
Join our team and improve transportation mobility for over 7 million people in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Tackle challenges that come with explosive growth in freight and goods movement. Help identify solutions to reduce traffic fatalities. Support local communities in solutions to traffic congestion and roadway delays. Work with our Transportation Policy Council and Texas Department of Transportation to develop strategies that invest billions of dollars to build a world class transportation system.
Our Service Area
Our Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) spans eight counties and over 100 cities along the upper Texas Coast. In addition to thousands of miles of roadways, we are home to some of nation's largest and most active ports, massive petrochemical facilities, substantial rail networks, major airports, and an extensive maritime shipping network. Our eight counties include: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.
How We're Organized and Who You'll Be Working With
Our MPO is housed within the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (H-GAC). H-GAC serves as the fiscal agent to the Transportation Policy Council and provides all necessary staff, accounting and auditing services, contract approval, procurement and more. The Transportation MPO Senior Director is accountable to the Transportation Policy Council and reports directly to H-GAC's Executive Director. To learn more about the Transportation Policy Council click here.
The Transportation MPO Senior Director oversees the Transportation Department at H-GAC. The department includes a team of professionals who carry out the Unified Work Plan, score and rank billions of dollars in transportation projects, oversee mobility studies and air quality projects, and develop the short-term and long-range plans. The department includes a diverse team of professionals with backgrounds in public transit, transportation and land use planning, air quality, freight and goods movement, traffic safety, and infrastructure resiliency.
The Senior Director and the department team work closely with our partners at the Texas Department of Transportation, federal transportation agencies, local and regional transit providers, ports, and local governments.
The Senior Director will also be responsible for developing managers and leaders within the transportation department. Delegate operational work, department management, and project implementation to the Assistant Directors of Transportation.
Expectations for this Role
Lead
ü The Senior Director implements the priorities of the Transportation Policy Council.
ü Set a vision for the future of transportation for our region by observing, listening, and seeking feedback from stakeholders, funding partners, and peers across Texas and the nation.
ü Chart the course for a large team of professionals to advance and implement important planning and service programs with an annual operating budget of approximately $10 million, with programming responsibility of $700 million to $1 billion per year in transportation projects.
ü Develop the next generation of leaders within our agency.
ü Establish our organization as a national-caliber MPO with regards to pilot testing new technologies for increased mobility, improved air quality, and traffic safety.
Deliver
ü Increase funding for our region and ensure funding does not get left on the table.
ü Improve the timeliness and clarity of the project selection process. Ensure appropriate timing is in place for projects to enter the long-term plan (Regional Transportation Plan) and short-term funding processes (Transportation Improvement Plan).
ü Support the development of strong quality assurance and quality control processes that reduce project approval times, foster a high-level of confidence in our work, and increase our efficiency.
ü Ensure large-scale projects like coastal protection, flood mitigation, port expansion, and rapid expansion of distribution and logistics centers have a space for discussion at the Transportation Policy Council.
Build Relationships and Communicate
ü Actively and effectively engage with a wide variety of individuals and organizations from county executives and mayors, to planning staff and consultants, state and federal elected officials, leaders of state and federal transportation agencies, advocacy groups, and the media.
ü Present complex federal and state processes and requirements in a clear and straightforward manner.
ü Ensure we have a close and productive relationship with the Texas Department of Transportation
ü Establish a presence in the communities of our region through field visits, relationship building, and an on the ground understanding of our transportation network.
ü Represent the agency at networking events, public meetings, and opportunities to testify as an expert at the state legislature and federal hearings.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an innovative leader with demonstrated ability to contemplate and solve problems that are complex and have multiple considerations including political, financial, regulatory, and technical. The selected candidate will evaluate options, act, and adjust to changing conditions and opportunities when applicable. The ideal candidate will have a background in transportation and proven experience to inspire and lead a team of dedicated professionals who have answered the call to public service by recruiting, developing and retaining top talent.
Attributes of a successful candidate include:
ü Diplomatic approach to identifying win-win opportunities to resolve conflicts over controversial projects
ü Proven ability to build relationships and alliances based on trust
ü Candid and transparent communication style
ü Ability to achieve consensus across a spectrum of interests and priorities
ü Ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and straightforward manner
ü Applies a forward-thinking approach to long term planning, with an emphasis on innovation and technology
ü Energetic and effective listener
ü Ability to recognize and pursue opportunities to expand services and establish our agency as a leader
ü A practical thinker, motivator, able to collaborate with team members, leaders, and stakeholders to produce exceptional quality output and drive creative solutions to maximize federal and state funding for our region
Education & Experience
The position of Senior Director requires:
ü Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or other related field of study.
ü Minimum of ten (10) years of experience are required in progressively responsible professional work directly related to regional planning, public service, and infrastructure/economic development planning, with at least five (5) years in a management capacity focused on transportation.
ü Experience in a consensus building environment with proven leadership in achieving results.
Additional experience in the following is considered a plus:
Preference will be given to applicants that possess:
ü Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or other related field of study.
ü Executive level experience in a public service organization
ü Over ten (10) years of management experience
ü Understanding of traffic and drainage infrastructure
ü Ability to work with a diverse population
ü Proven experience leading a large organization through transformation and/or natural disasters
ü Experience and/or familiarity with the structure of MPOs in the State of Texas and the approaches and operations of the Texas Department of Transportation.
Compensation and Benefits
H-GAC is offering a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with qualifications and experience.
About the Houston-Galveston Area Council
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is a voluntary information, planning, and problem-solving forum for local governments in the Houston-Galveston region. H-GAC serves an area of 12,500 square miles and more than 7 million people in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties. Our regional programs focus on community and environmental planning, data tools and resources, disaster planning and recovery, mobility and public safety, workforce, and economic development.
Mission
H-GAC's mission is to serve as the instrument of local government cooperation, promoting the region's orderly development and the safety and welfare of its citizens.
Governance and Organization
The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country. Our service area spans 13 counties and includes 177 cities and 84 independent school districts. The 320-member staff of professionals and 36-member Board of Directors understand that a strong economy and rapid growth brings both opportunities and challenges. We meet these challenges in three key ways: providing a forum for jurisdictions of all sizes to come together to solve regional issues; identifying and prioritizing funding opportunities; and providing direct services.
Join our team and improve transportation mobility for over 7 million people in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Tackle challenges that come with explosive growth in freight and goods movement. Help identify solutions to reduce traffic fatalities. Support local communities in solutions to traffic congestion and roadway delays. Work with our Transportation Policy Council and Texas Department of Transportation to develop strategies that invest billions of dollars to build a world class transportation system.
Our Service Area
Our Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) spans eight counties and over 100 cities along the upper Texas Coast. In addition to thousands of miles of roadways, we are home to some of nation's largest and most active ports, massive petrochemical facilities, substantial rail networks, major airports, and an extensive maritime shipping network. Our eight counties include: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties.
How We're Organized and Who You'll Be Working With
Our MPO is housed within the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments (H-GAC). H-GAC serves as the fiscal agent to the Transportation Policy Council and provides all necessary staff, accounting and auditing services, contract approval, procurement and more. The Transportation MPO Senior Director is accountable to the Transportation Policy Council and reports directly to H-GAC's Executive Director. To learn more about the Transportation Policy Council click here.
The Transportation MPO Senior Director oversees the Transportation Department at H-GAC. The department includes a team of professionals who carry out the Unified Work Plan, score and rank billions of dollars in transportation projects, oversee mobility studies and air quality projects, and develop the short-term and long-range plans. The department includes a diverse team of professionals with backgrounds in public transit, transportation and land use planning, air quality, freight and goods movement, traffic safety, and infrastructure resiliency.
The Senior Director and the department team work closely with our partners at the Texas Department of Transportation, federal transportation agencies, local and regional transit providers, ports, and local governments.
The Senior Director will also be responsible for developing managers and leaders within the transportation department. Delegate operational work, department management, and project implementation to the Assistant Directors of Transportation.
Expectations for this Role
Lead
ü The Senior Director implements the priorities of the Transportation Policy Council.
ü Set a vision for the future of transportation for our region by observing, listening, and seeking feedback from stakeholders, funding partners, and peers across Texas and the nation.
ü Chart the course for a large team of professionals to advance and implement important planning and service programs with an annual operating budget of approximately $10 million, with programming responsibility of $700 million to $1 billion per year in transportation projects.
ü Develop the next generation of leaders within our agency.
ü Establish our organization as a national-caliber MPO with regards to pilot testing new technologies for increased mobility, improved air quality, and traffic safety.
Deliver
ü Increase funding for our region and ensure funding does not get left on the table.
ü Improve the timeliness and clarity of the project selection process. Ensure appropriate timing is in place for projects to enter the long-term plan (Regional Transportation Plan) and short-term funding processes (Transportation Improvement Plan).
ü Support the development of strong quality assurance and quality control processes that reduce project approval times, foster a high-level of confidence in our work, and increase our efficiency.
ü Ensure large-scale projects like coastal protection, flood mitigation, port expansion, and rapid expansion of distribution and logistics centers have a space for discussion at the Transportation Policy Council.
Build Relationships and Communicate
ü Actively and effectively engage with a wide variety of individuals and organizations from county executives and mayors, to planning staff and consultants, state and federal elected officials, leaders of state and federal transportation agencies, advocacy groups, and the media.
ü Present complex federal and state processes and requirements in a clear and straightforward manner.
ü Ensure we have a close and productive relationship with the Texas Department of Transportation
ü Establish a presence in the communities of our region through field visits, relationship building, and an on the ground understanding of our transportation network.
ü Represent the agency at networking events, public meetings, and opportunities to testify as an expert at the state legislature and federal hearings.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an innovative leader with demonstrated ability to contemplate and solve problems that are complex and have multiple considerations including political, financial, regulatory, and technical. The selected candidate will evaluate options, act, and adjust to changing conditions and opportunities when applicable. The ideal candidate will have a background in transportation and proven experience to inspire and lead a team of dedicated professionals who have answered the call to public service by recruiting, developing and retaining top talent.
Attributes of a successful candidate include:
ü Diplomatic approach to identifying win-win opportunities to resolve conflicts over controversial projects
ü Proven ability to build relationships and alliances based on trust
ü Candid and transparent communication style
ü Ability to achieve consensus across a spectrum of interests and priorities
ü Ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and straightforward manner
ü Applies a forward-thinking approach to long term planning, with an emphasis on innovation and technology
ü Energetic and effective listener
ü Ability to recognize and pursue opportunities to expand services and establish our agency as a leader
ü A practical thinker, motivator, able to collaborate with team members, leaders, and stakeholders to produce exceptional quality output and drive creative solutions to maximize federal and state funding for our region
Education & Experience
The position of Senior Director requires:
ü Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or other related field of study.
ü Minimum of ten (10) years of experience are required in progressively responsible professional work directly related to regional planning, public service, and infrastructure/economic development planning, with at least five (5) years in a management capacity focused on transportation.
ü Experience in a consensus building environment with proven leadership in achieving results.
Additional experience in the following is considered a plus:
Preference will be given to applicants that possess:
ü Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or other related field of study.
ü Executive level experience in a public service organization
ü Over ten (10) years of management experience
ü Understanding of traffic and drainage infrastructure
ü Ability to work with a diverse population
ü Proven experience leading a large organization through transformation and/or natural disasters
ü Experience and/or familiarity with the structure of MPOs in the State of Texas and the approaches and operations of the Texas Department of Transportation.
Compensation and Benefits
H-GAC is offering a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with qualifications and experience.
About the Houston-Galveston Area Council
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is a voluntary information, planning, and problem-solving forum for local governments in the Houston-Galveston region. H-GAC serves an area of 12,500 square miles and more than 7 million people in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties. Our regional programs focus on community and environmental planning, data tools and resources, disaster planning and recovery, mobility and public safety, workforce, and economic development.
Mission
H-GAC's mission is to serve as the instrument of local government cooperation, promoting the region's orderly development and the safety and welfare of its citizens.
Governance and Organization
The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country. Our service area spans 13 counties and includes 177 cities and 84 independent school districts. The 320-member staff of professionals and 36-member Board of Directors understand that a strong economy and rapid growth brings both opportunities and challenges. We meet these challenges in three key ways: providing a forum for jurisdictions of all sizes to come together to solve regional issues; identifying and prioritizing funding opportunities; and providing direct services.