The Office of the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) oversees a division responsible for implementing agency-wide strategies and programs to meet the SFMTA's key policy objectives. In collaboration with the SFMTA Executive Team, the CSO division advances agency-wide strategy execution, leads major program design and management, analyzes strategic risks and opportunities, and leads business process improvement initiatives to enhance agency government operations.

The CSO Design Strategy and Delivery Section employs a collaborative, data-driven, and iterative human- centered design process. Leading and supporting mission-critical internal and external work streams and projects, the team creates unique solutions to the most difficult challenges confronting the SFMTA. This internal consulting group provides program development, management, and implementation services for major Agency initiatives, as well as an in-depth review and perspective of organizational and business systems designed to maximize the SFMTA's effectiveness. Team members manage numerous key strategic projects and policy initiatives, fostering alignment across different divisions and units. Uncertain issues are given structure, leading to changes in policies, systems, processes, and procedures.

The Design Strategy Program includes a unique portfolio of projects with a focus on advancing the SFMTA to financial sustainability and advancing best practices in transportation program delivery, decarbonization of the transportation system and the organizational effectiveness of the SFMTA. Immediate projects in this portfolio include: SFMTA General Obligation Bond Planning and Program Development; Streets Division support on parking policies and payment; the National Transit Adaptation Strategy (a project funded by the Federal Transit Administration); CleanSF (a project funded by Caltrans); implementation of the 2016 Project Delivery Framework and closeout of the 2014 Transportation and Road Improvement General Obligation Bond and associated projects.

Recruitment ID: PEX-5504-142171

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Permanent Exempt, Full Time appointment not to exceed three (3) years – This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process and shall serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

Application Opening: March 14, 2024

Application Filling Deadline: March 28, 2024

Annual Salary: $204,620 - $220,272 annually 

Additional notes: Hires in this classification are appointed at the entry salary rate. All other rates are subject to review and approval and must be based upon recruitment/retention, special skills, limited duration or exemplary performance.

NOTE: A cover letter and resume must be attached to the online application.

Position Description:

Under administrative direction, the Strategy Portfolio Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of the strategy portfolio of projects and leading the Design Strategy team. This includes overseeing a portfolio of projects including the planning, development, and management of multi-agency agreements, consultant contracts, and capital projects. This also includes providing administrative oversight during the implementation phases of policy projects. This position will oversee planning activities; coordinate work of multi-disciplinary technical staff across several divisions of the SFMTA, and actively engage the public, partners, governmental and regulatory agencies and departments of City and County San Francisco. The ideal candidate is an innovative finance, city planning, economics, or public policy professional. They will be successful if they excel in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, possess strong interpersonal skills, and can bridge the gap between the present and future and be an inspirational team leader. A critical factor is the ability to engage with ease and insight at all levels of the organization including executive management.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

• Serve as the SFMTA’s main technical advisor in the development of strategies and related policy projects to advance key SFMTA operational and capital objectives, developing plans, tactics and implementation programs that are typically high visibility, high controversy, and likely involve potential state or federal legislation.
• Serve as program and/or project manager for interdisciplinary transportation policy projects, overseeing work plans, coordinating activities, and monitoring project progress. Coordinate such activities with the Finance and Information Technology Division, Transit Division, Streets Division, Government Affairs Division and External Communications & Marketing Division.
• Manage major agency programs or projects; conduct complex studies, surveys, and focus groups; collect information on difficult operational and administrative problems; compile and analyze information, develop and evaluate options, prepare and present recommendations for review by Executive Management.
• Leads complex procurement, contract development and quality control processes for consultant- provided work. Oversees staff in conducting fair and compliant contract solicitation and developing scopes of work, monitors consultant deliverables, accepts and approves consultant products, and conducts contract closeout processes.
• Develop comprehensive plans and designs for complex transportation research projects, best practices research, data analysis, system design and change management. This includes the multi-phase implementation of the National Transit Adaptation Strategy.
• Develop and recommend effective communication strategies to build coalitions and establish the SFMTA as a trusted partner, conduct an evaluation of the impacts/results of such strategies, and recommend new approaches as needed. This includes the design, development, production, and distribution of materials that support specific policy approaches.
• Coordinate grant procurements and administration with the Finance and Information Technology Division, including technical support preparing applications, accepting, and administering received grant funds for program projects; this includes the management of the closeout of the 2014 Transportation and Road Improvement General Obligation Bond and associated projects.
• Represent the SFMTA in multi-jurisdictional committees and task forces, taking a leadership role in organizing, conducting, and implementing collaborative efforts.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other city employees, and the public by delivering excellent client service and maintaining a collaborative work environment.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in architecture, engineering or planning, plus six (6) years of responsible architectural, engineering or construction management experience; OR
2. Bachelor’s Degree in another field, plus eight (8) years of responsible experience in a field directly related to the project; OR
3. Ten (10) years of architectural, engineering or construction management experience in a field directly related to the project; OR
4. Valid California Registration as professional engineer or architect, plus two (2) years of project coordination experience.

Notes:

1. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

2. One (1) year full-time experience is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time experience/employment.

Desirable Qualifications:

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify candidates advancing to the interview process and/or to identify job finalist(s) at the end of the selection process when referred for hiring.

• Background and experience in public service delivery methods, project execution, and enterprise operations including techniques of financial/fiscal analysis and budgeting, economic and policy analysis.
• Ability to develop strong working relationships, collaborate, and negotiate effectively with staff, senior management, and representatives of other departments/agencies, officials, and contractors.
• Background and experience overseeing cross-functional project teams or teams in general, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented work environment.
• Background and experience in analytical methods and techniques of data collection and development.
• Project management experience including use of processes and tools to manage projects to scope, schedule and budget.
• Ability to develop effective communications, presentations, and summaries for executives, and convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, build consensus, and gather support from multiple stakeholders, including community groups, underserved or marginalized communities.
• Ability to identify and define problems, determine appropriate methodologies, and evaluate data with authority.
• Ability to lead and provide direction on extremely difficult policy and economic studies involving complex systems.
• Experience supervising staff.

Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. More information can be found at: https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#verification. 

Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Selection Process:
Applications will be screened for relevant qualifying experience. Additional screening mechanisms may be used to determine candidates' qualifications. Only those applicants who most closely meet the needs of the Agency will be invited to move forward in the selection process.

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

For questions or inquiries, please contact: Wilson Hoang, Human Resources Analyst at [email protected].

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.