Transit Operations Manager

The **Transit Operations Manager** manages daily transit operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient service. This role leads the transit fleet's lifecycle, oversees dispatch workflows, manages driver contracts, and directs long-term transit planning and network development. The ideal candidate maintains operational efficiency, optimizes fleet uptime, and designs service routes to meet community needs SouthWest Transit is an award-winning Transit agency serving the SouthWest Twin Cities area through bus, on-demand rideshare, and shuttle services. The agency is committed to serving the needs of their customers through diverse and innovative transit solutions that build community and connect customers from where they are to where they want to go. **Mission:** We provide a premium experience for the southwest Twin Cities through safe, reliable, and cost-effective transit that builds community and connects our customers from where they are to where they want to go. **Vision:** SouthWest Transit is the leading provider of innovative transit solutions that improve livability and enhance economic opportunity in the communities we serve. - Lead, coach, and develop a team of dispatch, customer experience, and transit ops staff to ensure continuous communication and smooth daily operations. - Manage daily transit operations ensuring system-wide adherence to commission-approved KPIs. - Lead the Transit Planner in designing, analyzing, and optimizing transit routes, timetables, and service schedules. - Analyze ridership trends and operational data to improve service efficiency, enhance the rider experience, and identify service gaps and expansion opportunities. - Prepare operational reports, service performance metrics, and grant proposals for transit development funding. - Partner with internal departments, vendors, and external stakeholders to improve public transit services and implement new technologies. - Manage and/or partner on comprehensive new-hire training programs focused on safety, equipment operation, and customer experience. - Assist in incident investigations, respond to difficult and sensitive issues, identify and report findings and take necessary corrective action. - Manage budgets, staffing resources, and operational priorities while continuously identifying opportunities for process improvement. - Manage the accurate collection, verification, and timely submission of monthly and annual reports to the FTA National Transit Database, MnDot, MetCouncil, the SWT Commission and others as needed. - Work with cross functional teams to map the customer journey, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement across all touchpoints. - Oversee service design and execution. - Develop and implement short- and long-term operational strategies that align with agency goals and community needs. Guide long-range transit planning, service standards, and network development. - Monitor and improve on-time performance, productivity, service reliability, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Utilize data analytics to support operational decision-making and continuous process improvement. - Prepare and manage driver ops operating budgets, and monitor expenditures to identify cost-saving opportunities. - Collaborate with the Safety and Risk Specialist to minimize incidents and improve safety. - Be the liaison between SWT and the driver contractors. - Oversee the collection and analysis of customer feedback from various channels including social media, surveys, focus groups, etc.. - Identify, partner, and execute on opportunities for enhancing customer experience from loyalty programs to appreciation events. - **Fleet Management** - Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of transit vehicles, including capital planning, procurement, deployment, and disposal. - Manage fleet performance metrics, fuel consumption, and operational costs using maintenance management software. - Ensure all vehicles comply with federal, state,…