Senior Director, Rolling Stock Strategy (Bus & Mobility)

Senior Director, Rolling Stock Strategy (Bus & Mobility)

The Senior Director of Rolling Stock Strategy (Bus and Mobility) is the senior leader responsible for setting the strategy for the MTA's acquisition of bus and other mobility, including paratransit, rolling stock, and ensuring dedicated attention to the acquisition and lifetime costs for these strategic assets. This mission-critical leadership role bridges policy, procurement strategy, supplier development, and industrial policy to achieve the best value for the MTA's bus and mobility acquisitions on a "total cost of ownership" basis by increasing competition for MTA bus and mobility procurements. This leader also develops frameworks and builds tools to understand the lifetime cost of these assets.

The Senior Director will work closely with New York City Transit, bus manufacturers, component suppliers, federal and state partners, labor organizations, and industry associations to diversify the public transit bus supplier base and build a more resilient, competitive, and domestically rooted manufacturing ecosystem for bus and mobility rolling stock. This role will also collaborate with data, analytics, and strategic functions to establish the total cost of ownership and performance modeling for bus and mobility rolling stock assets. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in transit procurement, industrial supply chains, public policy, strategy, analytics, and executive-level stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities:

• Working with NYCT, develop a fleet replacement and expansion forecast covering the Authority's needs for the next 20 years.
• Lead commercial negotiations and strategic partnership agreements with key industry stakeholders to support the MTA's fleet replacement needs.
• Develop procurement strategies that promote competition, long-term supplier relationships, and total cost of ownership optimization.
• Aggressively review standard terms and conditions for opportunities to modernize and improve the experience of doing business with the MTA.
• Scope and direct the development of total cost of ownership models, performance metrics, dashboards, and other accountability structures for rolling stock assets and project completion.
• Address procurement structures, specifications, and contracting mechanisms that reduce barriers to entry for qualified suppliers while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Where possible, align procurement strategies across transit agencies to leverage collective market power
• Develop and execute a multi-year strategy to increase the number and diversity of bus manufacturers competing for MTA contracts.
• Identify and engage prospective new market entrants.
• Launch pilots with bus suppliers to support their understanding of the New York City operating environment and the MTA's understanding of maintaining novel fleets.
• Select, develop, and motivate personnel within the department. Provide career development for subordinates. Provide prompt and effective coaching and counseling. Responsible for discipline/termination of employees when necessary. Review the performance of staff. Create a professional environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated success in roles that required building supplier ecosystems or driving market competition in capital-intensive industries.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. public transit procurement processes, FTA regulations, and Buy America requirements.
• Experience engaging federal agencies (DOT, FTA, DOE, EDA, USTR) and navigating public sector contracting environments.
• Proven track record of executive-level stakeholder engagement, including boards, government officials, and C-suite counterparts.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience using market data, supplier databases, and competitive intelligence to drive strategy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in (various academic majors) or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in commercial strategy, supply chain, industrial policy, procurement, or transit/transportation sectors.

The Following is/are preferred:

• Master's degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS). Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, JD, or relevant Master's) strongly preferred
• Experience in the bus, rail, or heavy vehicle manufacturing industry, or with EV/zero-emission vehicle technology commercialization.
• Familiarity with industrial policy mechanisms, including the CHIPS Act, IRA manufacturing provisions, or IIJA transit funding structures.
• Prior experience working within or closely with transit agencies, state DOTs, or federal transportation programs.
• Prior experience managing a department and/or managerial and/or leadership role in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body, preferably a minimum of three (3) years.
• Existing relationships across the U.S. transit and bus manufacturing ecosystem.
• Experience with labor-management collaboration in a manufacturing context.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission").

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.