Manager - Office of the COO

About the position Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will manage administrative functions, programs, and projects within the Office of the COO. As directed by the COO, you will provide governance and oversight over Operations business processes. You will partner with the COO, Operations Leadership Team and other senior agency leaders to accomplish agency goals and enhance operational effectiveness. You will ensure alignment of the Operations Leadership Team’s strategic planning activities and deliverables. You will exercise a high degree of independent judgment and action in delivering Operations programs and projects, including those with enterprise-wide impact. Success requires executive presence, emotional intelligence, and navigating complex, high-stakes situations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as administrative partner to the Chief Operating Officer and senior operations leadership. Manage complex priorities, executive communications, and sensitive matters with discretion and foresight. Develop strong trust-based relationships with executive stakeholders.
• Independently oversee, plan, lead, and execute special COO initiated projects. Manage confidential and time-sensitive special projects that cross organizational lines. Ensure alignment with agency priorities and cross-departmental collaboration.
• On behalf of the COO, provide governance, oversight, and control of Operations business processes, performance measurement, and standardization in areas such as:

Budget development and administration. Design and enforce a high-level framework that sets priorities, establishes internal Operational deadlines, and ensures alignment with agency-wide budget timelines. Drive a structured and transparent budget process by managing document control, tracking financial documentation, and ensuring the Operations team is equipped to conduct timely reviews and make informed decisions.

• Key Performance Indicator Reporting and Tracking

Tracking, coordination, and review of agenda items and reports flowing from Operations to agency Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors.

• Document control, providing for consistency in templates, formats, versioning, retention, access, and agreement across Operations organizational units.

Ensuring proper governance and stewardship of confidential records and operational documents in line with document control standards.

• Formalize, observe, and continuously improve policies and operational processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability. Anticipate issues and implement proactive solutions.
• Lead the development of executive-level communication deliverables, including reports, strategic presentations, and internal briefings.
• Manage daily operations and administrative functions for the Office of the COO.

Proactively initiate and manage projects, operations, communications, strategic scheduling, procedures, and cross-functional coordination. Ensure inquiries directed to the COO are prioritized to determine the appropriate course of action. In partnership with the COO and Operations Leadership Team, manage the Operations Leadership Team’s strategic business meetings, ensuring the agenda, materials and long-range planning cycle are aligned and the meeting processes are administered effectively.

• Represent operations leadership as a liaison to internal and external stakeholders, communicating with professionalism and alignment with agency values.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Requirements

• 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience in government, public administration, transportation, or a related field either as an executive or working directly with executive leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in project management, strategic planning, and interdepartmental coordination.
• Demonstrated experience aligning KPIs, managing operational budgets, and formalizing cross-functional processes.
• Demonstrated experience with document control, quality control, and aligning various styles to give a uniform voice to an organization.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the job duties is also accepted.
• Strong knowledge of public sector administration and governance.
• Project management tools and techniques.
• Budgeting, procurement, and records/document management practices.
• KPI alignment and operational performance measurement.
• Fostering an inclusive workplace by upholding Community Transit’s core values in support of the organization’s vision and mission. Inspiring team commitment, pride, and trust while promoting cooperation and motivating members to achieve shared goals. Demonstrating courtesy, sensitivity, and respect in all interactions.
• Navigating complex, sensitive, or emergent operational issues with sound judgment, discretion, and confidence.
• Demonstrating high emotional intelligence and executive presence to influence and support strategic decision-making.
• Inspiring team trust, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and motivating others to achieve shared goals.
• Communicating effectively across all levels of the organization, both verbally and in writing.
• Managing multiple complex initiatives with exceptional organizational, time, and project management skills.
• Handling confidential and politically sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Developing and monitoring budgets aligned with business objectives and compliance requirements.
• Preparing high-quality deliverables for executive and board-level audiences.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, with experience using project management and financial systems tools.
• Able to mentor, adapt, and work with others by leading without authority.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the transportation or logistics industry, or public-sector environments.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and operational complexities in transit settings.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance.
• Employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and have the option to enroll in the agency’s deferred compensation plan.
• In addition to WA Paid Sick Leave, employees in this position, accrue of 24 days of Paid Time off (192 hours) in their first year and ten (10) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Full list of all benefits and details can be found here.

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