Project Manager, Operations & Safety Innovations

The Innovation Office works directly with other departments to provide policy development support and project management resources for innovative technology and strategic process or product implementations, including developing pilots and proof of concepts and then scaling successful pilots to agency-wide solutions. The Innovation Office will engage in independent research on emerging transit policies and technologies, and provide innovation leadership by serving as a meeting place to develop an Agency-wide innovation strategy, develop new data integration and management strategies, and plan for potentially disruptive mobility technologies like vehicle automation, micro-mobility services, and multi-modal integration.

The Operations & Safety Innovations Project Manager will focus on employee and customer safety initiatives, improving internal workflows, identifying machine learning, AI and "Big Data" solutions that will create operational efficiencies and support proactive decision making, and enhancing Agency's existing administrative technologies.

Under general supervision, administers and executes project agreements and defines the scope of work for innovative pilots, proof of concepts and initiatives focused on improving Agency operations and safety outcomes. Manages projects from conceptual planning through launch and stabilization in conjunction with various Authority staff, departments, CTA contractors and other third-parties to ensure projects meet Authority's innovation goals and objectives.

% time

1

40%

Plans, directs, and coordinates various pilot projects, proof of concepts and Agencywide projects in cooperation with Authority departments on various operational and safety initiatives.

• Identifies business needs for customer-focused solutions
• Creates, develops, implements project plans by assessing needs analyses and project specifications.
• Establishes project timelines, workflows, and budget and tracks progress to ensure deliverables are on schedule and within budget.
• Coordinates with various CTA departments and staff to implement project plans that incorporate data collection for evaluation of the pilots, a customer engagement strategy, and communications support to highlight outcomes. Establishes work plan and staffing needs for each phase of projects.
• Holds meetings between project stakeholders and maintains meeting minutes and prepares project evaluations and assessment of project results. Responds to any internal inquiries and updates project plan as needed.
• Identifies and resolves project issues and risks and monitors successful execution of revised action plans.

2

20%

Researches new trends in transit safety, human resource and administrative management tools, AI, Machine Learning and Big Data, and transit operations. Helps create and implement new innovative approaches to improve Authority operations and safety. Serves as a resource in generating, critiquing, and advising new potential projects, pilots, and proofs of concepts.

3

20%

Works closely with other departments at Agency to improve data management, integration, and analytics. Develops and launches innovative data collection instrument, procedures and solutions.

4

10%

Works with the Finance Department, Law Department, and Purchasing Department to create business cases for innovation pilot projects and proof of concepts to scale to systemwide implementations

5

10%

Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title

• N/A

• Managing multiple priorities while keeping projects on schedule and within budget.
• Adhering to project guidelines and schedules.

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Technology, Business Administration, Business Management, Engineering, Data Science, or a related plus five (5) years of experience implementing company wide initiatives and process improvements, or an equivalent combination of education and experience related to the position.

• Requires sitting for extended periods of time, standing, visual acumen, and manual dexterity for working with computer key boards.
• Chicago Transit Authority requires all employees to be COVID-19 vaccinated. If you are offered employment, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required as a condition of employment and as part of the hiring process. Visit www.transitchicago.com/careers for full notice.
• Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.

• Working knowledge of project management principles and practices.
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of MS Project, Access, PowerPoint, and other computer software.
• Strong analytical and complex problem solving skills with a bias toward data driven decisions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with a variety of audiences.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex quantitative data into easy to understand and actionable recommendations through a consulting mind set.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, balance multiple priorities, deadlines and budget constraints.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including active listening skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.

• General office environment.

• Personal computer and related software (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel), Project management software.