Senior Manager

This position is eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective hire date.

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Position Objective:

Provide day-to-day management of the Vendor Performance group subunit within Vendor Relations, which is responsible for, among other things, performing vendor background checks, maintaining related databases, and supporting MTA Agency Procurements responsibility determinations.  Supervises the management of the formal vendor performance evaluation systems (known as Vendeval) and serves as the Administrator for the All-Agency Capital Evaluation system (ACE). Additionally, the Senior Manager plays a key role in the Significant Adverse Information (SAI) process and provides administrative support services in connection with vendor responsibility hearings and the MTA-wide Independent Private Sector Inspector General (IPSIG) program.  Also acts as a Direct report to ADCO for confidential briefs & debriefs of ongoing investigations of vendors’ executives& employees’ conduct.  Serves as the first contact for vendors whose responsibility and status with the MTA are being challenged. Performs confidential due diligence for external individuals on the Chair’s “think tanks” and advisory positions. 

Responsibilities:

• Directly interfaces with MTA Audit, the MTA Inspector General’s Office, the New York State Comptroller’s Office, and other external groups conducting investigations of vendor activities. 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.
• Supervise a team of six, including a manager, in performing all tasks associated with the vendor background check process for the MTA Agencies and MTA C&D.  Coordinate with Procurement on background review results; respond to vendor-related issues and concerns; manage and train the background check team and effectively ensure all databases and records are maintained.
• Provide management and quality assurance review of vendor background checks for prime and subcontractors to ensure they are performed in accordance with the All-Agency Responsibility Guidelines and ensure all vendors seeking MTA procurements are effectively reviewed before award or modifications. 
• On critical or difficult matters of responsibility, especially in determining the use of firms with SAI, assist the Procurement Directors in making the responsibility determination.
• Manage the supervision of the annual VENDEVAL vendor evaluation process for the MTA operating contracts within an established dollar threshold.  Oversee MTA managers and analysts engaged in this review process and manage outreach to user departments to ensure information integrity.
• Responsible for convening and chairing special responsibility hearings with senior executives representing various national and international companies to examine issues involving organizational integrity and performance on prior and existing projects. Provide collaborative support for vendor responsibility hearings.  On behalf of the MTA, provide senior corporate executives with the relevant documents and correspondence.  Coordinate with vendors regarding these hearings.  Specific duties include scheduling, conducting background reviews, and following up on open issues such as obtaining action plans, ethics plans, and hearing transcripts etc.
• Serve as liaison on matters concerning ACE and VENDEVAL (including managing MTA agencies’ access to the databases), and MTA agency background check requests.  Also serves as liaison to external agencies such as the NYC Mayor’s Office of Contracts for PASSPORT, NYC School Construction Authority (SCA), NYC Office of the NYC Comptroller, MTA OIG, Federal, and Local law enforcement.
• Oversee and evaluate contractor performance

• Observing the work performed by the contractor;
• Reviewing invoices and approving them if the work meets contractual standards;
• Addressing performance issues with the contractor when possible; and
• Escalating issues to other parties as needed.

• Other duties as assigned - Performs ad hoc special projects, as assigned, in response to both internal and external inquiries. 

Qualifications:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Must have a solid knowledge of business best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies.  External agencies may include the Governor’s Office for New York State, the New York City government, elected and other public officials, as well as any staff located at other federal or state agencies or authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction for the area of responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Transportation, Public Policy, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from an accredited college, may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 6 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory and/or leadership abilities.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• At least 3 years in a managerial and/or leadership role.
• Prior experience working in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body.
• Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures, including the All-Agency Responsibility Guidelines and Best Practices

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”).

Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MNR drivers, or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

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.