CEO/General Manager

The General Manager (GM)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) provides visionary leadership across all operational, financial, safety, and strategic initiatives. The GM/CEO is responsible for driving growth, ensuring regulatory compliance, and overseeing the effective management of budgets and resources. A dynamic and strategic leader, the GM/CEO must possess strong political acumen, financial expertise, and a proven ability to foster collaboration with community leaders and stakeholders. This role requires a focus on financial sustainability through prudent planning, effective use of state and federal grants, and the cultivation of a robust safety culture and practices. The GM/CEO will also play a key role in shaping a positive organizational culture while ensuring the long-term stability and success of the transit system. The GM/CEO is responsible for the administrative management of all services and operations for the Authority’s fixed route and on-demand public transit system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Plan, develop, and establish Authority’s policies and objectives.
2. Direct the Authority towards current and long-range goals and assure compliance with federal, state, and municipal laws.
3. Confer with senior staff to plan business objectives; direct, develop, and enforce organizational policies to coordinate functions and operations between divisions and departments; and establish responsibilities and procedures for attaining objectives.
4. Oversee activity reports and financial statements to determine the progress and status of the Authority’s financial structure.
5. Direct the development of the operating and capital budgets.
6. Act as the Authority’s appointing authority regarding the employment of employees below the level of the Chief Executive Officer/General Manager.
7. Revise objectives and plans in accordance with current conditions.
8. Direct and coordinate the formulation of financial programs to provide funding for new and continuing operations to maximize returns and increase productivity.
9. Confer with legislative liaison individuals and/or committees to develop recommendations for change in legislation and administrative procedures.
10. Maintain official and informal associations with various federal, state, and local professionals and officials to facilitate funding and promote Authority objectives.
11. Make recommendations to the Board of Trustees regarding matters affecting Authority management, services, and operations.
12. Represent the Authority at national, state, and local meetings/conferences to promote and explain Authority objectives.
13. Consult with other government agencies, business community, and private organizations to resolve problems.
14. Act as chief negotiator in the formulation of agreements with contract personnel.
15. Establish and maintain an effective system of communication throughout the organization.
16. Provide a positive work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran.
17. Ability to work in compliance with Metro's safety and security policies.
18. Promote and reinforce a strong safety culture across all levels of the organization, ensuring the implementation of best practices, continuous safety training, and adherence to compliance standards to maintain safe operations.
19. Lead coalition-building efforts among diverse stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, and industry partners, to ensure successful planning and execution of large-scale transportation projects while addressing the needs and concerns of all involved parties.
20. Utilize data-driven management to optimize all operations, integrating continuous improvement practices and fostering transparent communication to ensure accountability and enhance service delivery to the community.
21. Lead the successful realization of strategic objectives as set forth by the Board of Trustees, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and driving initiatives that support long-term growth and community impact.

QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

1. Communications - Excellent verbal, writing and non-verbal skills. Persuasive, consensus builder.
2. Customer Focus - Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to exceed customer expectations.
3. Employee Development - Competent in assessing employee skills: coaches, delegates, and supports employee development. Provides constructive feedback.
4. Leadership - Energetic, innovative self-starter, committed to continuous improvement and creative problem-solving.
5. Professional Integrity - Exhibits and values commitment, leadership, accountability, diversity, honesty, fiscal responsibility, and the ability to maximize resources.
6. Proficiency - Able to multi-task, plan and measure results, create and analyze data, excellent computer skills, accuracy and attention to detail, excellent project management skills.

Education

1. Four (4) years of college resulting in a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field or equivalent years of work experience.

Experience

1. A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible management experience preferably in a large urban public transportation system, including five (5) years of experience at the executive management level.

Knowledge

1. Principles of administration and management, labor relations, and personnel management.
2. Sources of federal, state, and local funding for public programs and services.
3. Economic, political, social, and psychological factors related to providing public programs and services.
4. Budget development and administration.
5. Financial planning and cost control.
6. Development and marketing strategies for public programs and services.

Skills

1. Advanced word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and database software.
2. Specialized software related to functional area.

Abilities

1. Understand the interrelationship between federal, state, and local governments as they affect public programs and services.
2. Assimilate information from a variety of sources, analyze complex information, and recommend courses of action.
3. Plan, organize and direct services and operations in a cost and operationally-effective manner.
4. Read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
5. Respond to common inquiries/complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, and business community.
6. Prepare complex reports and correspondence.
7. Communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral form.
8. Speak persuasively before groups.
9. Direct a staff of diverse professionals.
10. Exercise good judgment.
11. Interact professionally with various levels of legislative and administrative officials, citizen boards, general public, the Board of Trustees and Authority employees.

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