Managing Director, Market Innovation

Join one of the nation's leading transit agencies during an exciting period of growth and innovation King County Metro has an exciting leadership opportunity for a Market Innovation Managing Director. This leadership role is integral to Metro’s transformation into a cutting-edge mobility agency, with high-capacity transit at the center and shared mobility services complementing the regional system.

We are seeking a dynamic leader with a proven track record of inspiring and optimizing team performance. The ideal candidate will possess an innovative mindset, a solid understanding of the transit industry, and experience with research practices. They should be dedicated to customer satisfaction and equity, with a strong ability to build and nurture partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders. This role is critical to Metro’s mission to evolve into a forward-thinking mobility agency that delivers solutions to meet customer needs that align with Metro’s values- equity, safety and sustainability.

The Market Innovation section develops mobility solutions that fill gaps for customers by fostering innovative problem-solving based on customer research and robust evaluation. The section is comprised of approximately 40 team members and includes collaborative self-starters that work in partnership with others in Metro, local cities, transportation providers and the business community. Market Innovation is comprised of three main workgroups:

Market and Business Development includes the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Business Programs teams. Both teams focus on increasing access to existing mobility options by providing the information, tools and incentives people need to choose a non-drive-alone transportation mode. The TDM team focuses on working with individuals and community partners, while the Business Program team manages our employer Passport program, which enables over 800 employers to provide commute benefits to their employees.

Fare Policy leads development of fare and pricing policy, and is managing the Enterprise Fares Initiative, which includes fund management policy updates, simplification of reduced fares, increasing use of ORCA, and development of the cashless transition plan.

Research and Innovation includes the Research, Innovative Mobility, and Connecting to Transit teams. The Research team supports the Department with up-to-date information on customer perceptions, attitudes, and needs, and provides evaluation of programs and projects to inform decisions. Innovative Mobility tests new services for efficacy in reaching new markets and increasing ridership on alternate modes. Connecting to Transit is leading development of mobility hubs, expanding bike and walk access and managing our park-and-ride network to maximize the use of these assets.

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. In this role, the primary duties will be focused on supporting critical operations across the section’s teams and will be responsible for a range of leadership work, including:

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise : Develop, lead, and support daily operations of the Market Innovations section. Provide strategic direction and leadership across workgroups within Market Innovation; coordinate across the division and across the department to create clarity for MI team and to ensure the success of cross-agency work efforts involving the section.
• Innovation Leadership: Drive the development and adjustment of new mobility services and policies based on industry trends, disruptive technologies, and market research. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, testing, implementing, and evaluating new products and services.
• Strategic Vision: Position King County Metro's innovation around mobility services centered on equity, sustainability, and safety.
• Team Development: Create an inclusive and respectful work environment where the team continuously learns and works together.
• Administrative Oversight: Ensure timely and accurate completion of section-level administrative functions (including but not limited to scheduling, leave and travel approvals, and expense processing).
• Collaboration and Partnership building: Work with supervisors and leads to drive results, solve problems, and address resource and staffing challenges. Gather and coordinate input from across the section to ensure appropriate representation on priorities, new mobility services, budget proposals, and employee engagement. Cultivate business and community relationships to advance regional mobility transformation.
• Product Development: Lead the development of products, services, and processes to support the transformation of mobility services and champion innovation within Metro.
• Project and change sponsorship: Provide strategic, section-level leadership for special projects and department initiatives, such as developing the department’s budget proposals, piloting new transportation technology, and transforming our mobility services lines of business, along with continuous improvement and employee engagement efforts.
• Policy and Reporting: Develop mobility policy recommendations and management reports for senior leadership, liaise with County officials, and participate in assigned projects. Act as an escalation point for critical decisions and issues requiring input from senior leadership.
• Budget and finance: Develop section budget. Oversee and ensure financial performance, efficiency and accountability of King County team as well as contractors who provide services to Metro.

Qualified candidates for this role will have the following experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills:

Organizational Leadership and Employee Management:

• Progressively responsible management and leadership experience with at least three years leading people.
• Experience working across large teams to foster equity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace.
• Demonstrated understanding of how to support employee performance and provide opportunities for growth and development.

Strategic Vision:

• Proven track record of leading the development and implementation of strategies to achieve organizational priorities such as safety, sustainability and equity.
• Ability to coordinate collaborative problem-solving across teams and levels.

Analytical and Decision-Making Skills:

• Ability to analyze and anticipate problems, assess financial and operational impacts, and provide proactive solutions.
• Strong decision-making skills, demonstrating fairness, respect, equity, inclusivity, and credibility.
• Proven ability to analyze situations, evaluate information, and make reasoned judgments to solve problems effectively.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• Clear and effective communication skills, both oral and written, for a variety of internal and external audiences.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to foster trust and respect from others.
• Demonstrated ability to create clarity for teams operating in complex technical, operational or political environments.

Adaptability and Innovation:

• Receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and feedback, fostering an environment conducive to innovation.
• Willingness to embrace change and pivot strategies as needed in a dynamic environment.

Ideal candidates will bring a unique mix of the following desirable experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills:

• Proven success leading innovation and/or product development for large public agencies, preferably transit organizations; experience leading a team of highly experienced supervisors in these areas.
• Track record of building highly engaged team cultures that support the development, coaching, and team building necessary for the workforce of the future; formal organizational development and/or leadership training.
• Knowledge of transportation trends, legal and policy issues, and technology changes that may affect Metro customers.
• Knowledge of and experience with operationalizing racial equity and inclusion principles, strategies, and indicators; formal training in diversity, equity and inclusion best practices.
• Lived experience that represents the people and communities Metro serves.
• The ability to generate novel ideas and solutions, thinking outside the box to tackle challenges in unique ways; capacity to align innovative efforts to achieve organizational goals.
• Proven ability to lead through collaboration with diverse teams and promote.