POSITION: COO of Planning, Grant Planning, Innovation, and External Affairs SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES: The Chief Operating Office of Planning, Grant Planning, Innovation, and External Affairs provides leadership and strategic direction to the Planning and Innovation department, Marketing and Customer Service department, and Rides to Wellness department at the Mass Transportation Authority. This position is responsible for program development, research analysis, project management, fund development, policy strategy and supervision of key staff to support the short- and long-term strategic goals of the organization. SUPERVISED BY: GENERAL MANAGER/CEO PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for scoping and implementing MTA’s special projects and strategic initiatives, including the development and implementation of the strategic plan and long-range strategic initiatives, as determined by the General Manager/CEO. Lead selected program-based special projects that require cross-functional engagement with key staff across the organization, and with external stakeholders, as appropriate. Manage MTA’s relationship with key external stakeholders, both locally and nationally Represent MTA’s interests at external meetings including speaking at key conferences Identify funding sources, both traditional and non-traditional, to support capital and operating needs of the organization. Coordinate with grants administrator to prepare and submit grant applications with a focus on discretionary and competitive grant opportunities Monitor trends in federal, state, and local legislation and transit funding and provide funding strategy recommendations based on this information. Establish relationships with local and national private foundations and organizations to increase opportunities for non-traditional funding for transit and human service projects Participate in budget development and management of grant-funded programs and Rides to Wellness program Supervise Rides to Wellness leadership staff, providing guidance and direction to Director of Rides to Wellness for both operational and longer-term strategic activities of department Supervise Planning and Innovation department staff and activities, including transportation planning and route and service design analysis; federal and state reporting; development of performance indicators; development and publishing of Five Year Plan and Program. Supervise Marketing/Customer Service department staff and activities, including providing guidance on community outreach activities, ADA-related issues, Title VI compliance and issues, approval of MTA funding for community events, and strategic direction of paid advertising opportunities Facilitate coordination with other agencies and organizations to address transportation needs in the community and secure funding for community-based initiatives. Assess potential projects, development of funding options to support projects, and conduct outreach to the community. Supervise the Federal Transit Administration Triennial Review process. Other job duties as assigned 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. Typical of an office environment