Manager, Project

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses and light rail, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Manager, Customer Experience (CX) Project Management , leads a team of Project Managers responsible for delivering priority CX projects on time, within scope and budget, and with the intended customer and organizational outcomes. This position establishes and maintains project management standards, methodologies, documentation, and supporting technology for CX projects and initiatives.

The Manager plans, directs, and oversees cross-functional teams implementing strategic CX initiatives and performs administrative, supervisory, and managerial responsibilities, including strategic planning, operating and capital budget development, workforce planning, hiring, coaching, and performance management. The position establishes goals and priorities and leads or supports the evaluation, selection, and implementation of solutions that advance Metro Transit's CX strategy.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote and in-office) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

1. Manage Project Management Team

• Hire, onboard, supervise, and evaluate a team of Project Managers supporting Customer Experience (CX) priorities, projects, and initiatives.
• Establish team goals, priorities, work plans, and performance expectations, ensuring staff have the resources necessary to successfully perform assigned work.
• Develop, monitor, and manage the Project Management business unit operating budget, including expense tracking, budget forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Ensure compliance with Metropolitan Council policies, procedures, and leave programs, including FMLA, Paid Parental Leave, Employee Sick and Safe Time, and other applicable requirements.
• Coach, mentor, and develop staff through performance management, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing work environment through effective communication, employee engagement, and strategic leadership.

• Develop, implement, and maintain project management standards, methodologies, templates, and best practices for Customer Experience initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a centralized library of project management tools, templates, and reference materials.
• Promote and reinforce consistent application of project management standards, methodologies, and documentation across Metro Transit.

• Assess organizational business needs and gather stakeholder requirements for project management software and technology solutions.
• Evaluate and pilot project management tools to determine suitability for Metro Transit operations.
• Lead procurement activities, vendor coordination, contract administration, and ongoing vendor relationship management.
• Oversee implementation, administration, maintenance, and continuous improvement of project management software and related technology.
• Coordinate with Information Services and business partners to ensure long-term support, maintenance, and optimization of project management technology.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders to identify project needs, establish project objectives, and define success measures.
• Assess organizational project management support needs and prioritize resources based on agency strategic priorities.
• Define project governance, roles, responsibilities, business capabilities, and workflow processes.
• Expand and strengthen project management practices across Metro Transit.

• Promote Customer Experience best practices within the Project Management team and develop staff competencies in customer-centered project delivery.
• Partner with departments across Metro Transit to integrate customer-focused principles into business processes, projects, and decision-making.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and project updates demonstrating the value and impact of Customer Experience initiatives.
• Collaborate with business partners to align project management activities with organizational functions such as budgeting, staffing, and operational planning.

• Evaluate project management needs and recommend strategies to support Customer Experience priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with business units to establish project goals, performance measures, evaluation criteria, and desired outcomes.
• Develop project dashboards, scorecards, and reports to communicate project status, progress, and outcomes.
• Provide recommendations to support budget requests and resource planning for project management initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a centralized Customer Experience project calendar to improve agency-wide coordination and visibility.

Any of the following combinations of experience in project management, public administration, policy and procedure development, planning, management, or a related field and completed education in Management, Planning, Public Policy, Project Management, Public Administration, or a related field:

• High school diploma/GED with 10 years of experience, including 3 years of management, supervisory, project leadership, or staff leadership experience.
• Associate degree with 8 years of experience, including 3 years of management, supervisory, project leadership, or staff leadership experience.
• Bachelor's degree or higher with 6 years of experience, including 3 years of management, supervisory, project leadership, or staff leadership experience.

• Leading Self-Personal Effectiveness Certificate
• Leading Self-Communication Certificate
• Leading Self-Business Skills Certificate
• Leading Others-Preparing for Supervisor Certificate

• Ability to think strategically and develop strategic planning documents.
• Demonstrated experience establishing or maturing PMO frameworks, processes, or governance models.
• Experience employing Waterfall and Agile methodologies in project delivery.
• Experience working in IT services, shared services, or matrixed delivery organizations.
• Ability to set performance measurements and metrics for people and projects.
• Active PMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP certification, or related certification.
• Ability to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

• Knowledge of advanced project management principles, methodologies, governance, and continuous improvement practices.
• Knowledge of organizational policies and procedures related to budgeting, procurement, contracting, hiring, and workforce management.
• Knowledge of project management software, tools, and supporting technologies.
• Knowledge of customer experience principles and public transit operations.
• Skill in developing and implementing project management standards, policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Skill in leadership, coaching, performance management, team development, and building collaborative relationships.
• Skill in Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
• Ability to lead multiple complex, cross-functional projects with competing priorities while aligning resources and outcomes with organizational objectives.
• Ability to establish project goals, performance measures, and success metrics.
• Ability to build effective partnerships and influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Union/Grade: TMSA / Grade J
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
What your work environment would be:
Work is performed in a standard office setting. May require travel between primary work site and other sites.
What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council , you must pass a background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. If the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards, you must pass a criminal background check. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.