Executive Director, Transit Services, OPT - 27130

Position Summary: The Division of School Operations exists to keep schools running every day, in every circumstance by safeguarding critical school services grounded in respect and dignity. Within this division, the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) plays a vital role in advancing that mission, ensuring students arrive at school ready to learn and return home safely each day.

OPT operates one of the largest student transportation networks in North America serving more than 150,000 students each school day across New York City's five boroughs. The Office oversees a fleet of approximately 11,000 vehicles operated by approximately 9,700 drivers and coordinated through a contractor network of more than 50 companies, with annual operating expenditures exceeding $2 billion.

The Executive Director of Transit Services is a senior leadership role of significant scope and consequence. The Executive Director will architect the strategy, develop the institutional capacity and forge the partnerships required to deliver safe, reliable, equitable and operationally excellent transportation for all New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) students. This role provides executive oversight of Regional Directors, the Field Trip Unit and the Alternate Services Manager and serves as a principal advisor to the Senior Executive Director on all matters related to transit operations and policy. Performs related work.

Reports to: Deputy Director, Student Transportation

Direct Reports: Regional Directors, Field Trip Unit, Alternate Services Manager

Key Relationships: Relationships will be fostered with all levels of staff and management within OPT as well as other NYCPS and state offices, principals, parents and the school community and with bus companies. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Policy

• Provides executive level leadership for the formulation, implementation and continuous improvement of student transportation policy across NYCPS system.
• Leads strategic planning initiatives in partnership with the Senior Executive Director, ensuring operational excellence, performance consistency and data informed decision making at scale.
• Develops comprehensive policy recommendations that elevate the student transportation experience balancing fiscal stewardship, operational agility and an unwavering commitment to student safety and dignity.
• Produces executive grade analysis, trend reports and strategic assessments to guide high stakes decision making and inform institutional priorities.

Operational Accountability & Performance Management

• Holds full executive accountability for the routing, logistics and transit related administrative operations of the NYCPS student transportation system, one of the most complex urban transit ecosystems in the nation.
• Establishes and enforces rigorous performance standards across all transit service areas, ensuring timely, safe and reliable transportation for the City's 150,000+ student riders daily.
• Directs the comprehensive review and analysis of operational reports, contractor performance data and service studies; identifies systemic risks, recommends corrective actions and drives continuous improvement.
• Oversees the coordination and prioritization of student transportation initiatives, serving as a proactive force multiplier for the Senior Executive Director across all business functions.

Stakeholder Engagement & Institutional Partnership

• Cultivates and sustains high level relationships across NYCPS, City and State agencies, elected offices, contractor networks, school communities and parent organizations.
• Represents the Senior Executive Director and, by extension, OPT at transit related conferences, interagency convenings and stakeholder forums, serving as a credible and authoritative voice on student transportation policy and operations.
• Leads the resolution of complex, sensitive and high profile matters requiring executive judgment, diplomatic skill and institutional expertise.
• Ensures continuous, high quality liaison coordination for all special transportation projects, from inception through completion.

Organizational Development & Team Leadership

• Builds, motivates and sustains a high performing leadership team capable of executing at the demands of one of the largest urban student transportation systems in North America.
• Works collaboratively with internal and external business partners to elevate service levels, streamline operations and advance OPT's institutional mission.
• Performs related executive functions as required by the Senior Executive Director and the Division of School Operations.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, business administration, education administration, personnel administration, management or a related field and four years of satisfactory, responsible, full-time experience in any of the above areas or in another area of specialization applicable to the position, at least 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, consultative, managerial or executive capacity; or
2. A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must possess the 18 months of administrative, consultative, managerial or executive experience as described in “1” above.

Preferred

• Strong management skills related to the improvement of computerized and/or transportation platforms in a company or organization.  
• Successful experience in senior level management and transportation operations.
• Experience in policy making.
• Effective in understanding and execution of business strategies; possesses the strength and talent needed to move a vision into reality.
• Ability to make critical analyses in determining courses of action.
• Ability to prepare written reports and presentations clearly and concisely.
• Strong leadership skills.

Salary: $152,070 - $167,277

(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.

* New York City Residency is NOT Required *

We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.