Job Description
Department Marketing Statement:
Are you passionate about public transit and excited by the power of data to transform the customer experience? Join Metro¿s Office of Performance and Global Benchmarking as a Manager of Data & Research and be a driving force behind data-driven insights that improve transit for millions and position us as a world-class transit system.

This analyst will primarily support our infrastructure and paratransit teams through:

• Identifying new data sources and calculations for performance metrics
• Maintaining and developing dashboards that provide information to improve service
• Performing in-depth analyses on infrastructure operations
• Managing a performance analyst in creating regular reports

You are our ideal candidate if you:

• Are passionate about public transit (bus, rail, and paratransit)
• Have experience with SQL, R, and PowerBI
• Excel at communicating and presenting to senior leadership and/or non-technical audiences
• Are interested in consistently learning and figuring out solutions to problems

The Performance and Global Benchmarking team is well-positioned to build a foundation to grow within Metro because we work with people across the organization, participate in all kinds of new projects and initiatives, and provide insight into improving our operations.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor¿s degree in Public/Business Administration, Planning, Engineering, Data Science, Financial Management, History, Mathematics/Statistics, Political Science, Economics or a related field

EXPERIENCE

• Seven (7) years of experience performing work involving quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, research (technical and/or non-technical), business strategy implementation, problem solving, metric development, data modeling, data visualization. strategy implementation.
• Experience must include at least four (4) years of experience using software like R, Python, SQL, ArcGIS or Excel to conduct data analysis and cleaning; and/or must include at least four (4) years of conducting and communicating research to technical and/or non-technical audiences

SUMMARY

The Manager, Data and Research supervises analysts within the Office of Performance and Global Benchmarking while also working with broad latitude to independently lead their own portfolio of initiatives. The incumbent organizes and leads efforts with Senior Leadership to define and advance progress towards the agency’s strategic goals through applied research, data analytics, and reporting. The Manager, Data and Research leads reporting programs that are highly visible both internally and externally. This incumbent serves as an internal consultant to Senior Leaders on actions to improve organizational effectiveness, efficiency and equity; further, this role identifies risks and recommends mitigations to ensure desired results are delivered. The Manager, Data and Research is responsible for ensuring that any confidentiality agreements and considerations are adhered to when sharing data and research. Further, this role optimizes research and data management processes and strategies by identifying and implementing new methods and tools to deliver exceptional value to the Authority.

CLOSING

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.
This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.

• Leads the design, development and maintenance of internal reports, dashboards and tools in the assigned area for Senior Leadership and Management to monitor performance, enable data-driven decision making, and act to improve. Organizes and facilities regular meetings with Senior Leadership and Management to review performance results and develop action plans to address opportunities.
• Oversees and manages the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track progress against organizational and departmental goals for a mode or business line. Builds collaborative partnerships with data owners and data managers across the Authority to develop data pipelines that optimize reporting and ensure accuracy. Evaluates data collection business processes and leads the development of requirements to streamline and improve data accuracy. Ensures that WMATA¿s data management frameworks, processes and products are efficient/effective and provide accurate, timely data to monitor performance.
• Leads the annual process, with Senior Management, to set targets for KPIs in the Strategic Plan and in departmental business plans for a mode or business line, including conducting research into peer performance to inform decision-making and strategies. Clarifies the definition of success for Key Performance Indicators and ensures compliance with federal requirements.
• Serves as subject matter expert and trusted advisor for KPIs, data sources, data analysis and benchmarking in assigned area. Designs, conducts and coordinates advanced data analysis and research, and presents findings and recommendations to Senior Leadership, media relations, and the Board of Directors to drive improvements on service reliability, safety, and administrative performance. Uses data and research to inform decisions on the strategy and direction of WMATA, and to foster transparency with the public and Board of Directors.
• Builds and manages multiple collaborative, agile teams comprising external internship candidates, colleagues from departments being supported on programs, and other external personnel or personnel across the Authority to enhance the capacity and capabilities of the Authority¿s departments to identify and deliver innovative solutions to critical business problems. Develops and leads complex, cross-functional programs that implement creative approaches to improve the agency¿s performance across all of its strategic goals.
• Supervises staff to include preparing and completing individual performance plans, conducting formal and informal check-ins/reviews and approving leave requests and time sheets. Ensures direct reports are making progress toward individual objectives and provides direction/correction as needed. Ensures compliance with WMATA¿s individual employee performance management in a manner that connects staffs¿ work to the agency¿s strategic goals.
• Develops and executes training and development programs on conducting analysis and research for both direct reports and other analyst staff across the Authority. Ensures staff has the tools and training necessary to deliver on their individual objectives.
• Manages benchmarking research initiatives, in accordance with confidentiality requirements, from concept to completion across the agency to inform Executive and Senior Leadership’s decision-making across all agency strategic goals. Ensures industry best practices are identified, communicated and implemented, helping Metro achieve its strategic goals.
• Facilitates global peer agency outreach and relationship management to identify success factors and solutions to shared challenges to represent Metro in its national and international community of peers and be stewards for industry best practices.
• Advises Senior Leadership on how to apply industry best practices, providing implementation support based upon need and staff capability/capacity to ensure WMATA is kept abreast of, and supported to implement creative industry solutions that position WMATA as a world-class transit agency and address pressing problems.
• Optimizes research and analysis processes and strategies by identifying and implementing new methods and tools to make most efficient use of the Authority¿s resources and to quickly, efficiently and effectively mobilize research and analyst staff to provide timely input on decision related to management and strategy.
• Contributes to the design, development and maintenance of public reports and dashboards to provide transparency to the Board of Directors and public on Metro¿s performance on KPIs associated with Strategic Goals, Objectives and Initiatives.
  The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.