Director, Safety Assurance

Secure Your Future with SEPTA - A Leader in Transportation

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the sixth-largest transportation system in the U.S., connecting communities across a 2,200-square-mile service region. SEPTA is at the forefront of innovation in the transit industry, ensuring reliable and efficient services while driving economic growth in the Philadelphia region.

Only candidates who are authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, will be accepted at this time.

We are proud to be recognized as:

2023 FORBES Best in State Employer

Philadelphia Employer of Choice for 2024

We are seeking to hire candidates for our Director, Safety Assurance & Regulatory Compliance (7382).

Opening Date: 09/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Job Grade: SAM 43

Salary Range: $125,762.00-$157,196.00

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Director of Safety Assurance and Regulatory Compliance is responsible for leading the Safety Assurance (SA) program in the System Safety Division (SSD) as part of SEPTA's commitment to the implementation of and continuous improvement of Safety Management System (SMS).

This role is responsible for authority-wide compliance with pertinent FTA, PennDOT State Safety Oversight, and FRA regulation via strategic management of SSD's Internal Audit Program (IAP) and Regulatory Compliance function, which includes the identification of and management of regulatory Corrective Action Plans (CAPs). Responsibilities therefore include the development and updating of safety management policies, plans, and SOPs as required by regulatory agencies.

Activities for which this Director is responsible include internal audits, corrective action plans, mitigation monitoring, site inspections, rules compliance, and other safety assurance activities within SEPTA's multi-modal transit operations. The role involves close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, fostering a proactive approach to safety that supports SEPTA's mission to deliver reliable, efficient, and safe public transportation services.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides strategic oversight of System Safety's Internal Audit Program (IAP), which includes all activities related to those safety assurance activities: internal audit schedule, stakeholder engagement, document management, regulatory oversight coordination, corrective action and mitigation tracking, etc.

2. Ensures authority compliance with regulatory requirements, including those established by FRA, FTA, OSHA, NFPA, and PennDOT SSOA, by aligning internal policies and

procedures with industry standards. Maintains current knowledge of safety regulations, standards, and industry trend to ensure SEPTA compliance.

3. Oversees the safety assurance data analysis and assessment of Rules Compliance programs within and external to the System Safety Division. Assists in the development, refinement and expansion of Rules Compliance Programs, including leading an authority-wide Central RC committee.

4. Coordinates with the Safety Risk Management team and other SSD stakeholders to engage in the assessment of safety risks across all transit modes, ensuring effective mitigation strategies and the continuous improvement of safety systems.

5. Develops and implements a formal Mitigation Monitoring Program (MMP) in collaboration with all relevant SSD and other SEPTA stakeholders.

6. Coordinates with the PennDOT SSOA to facilitate both SSOA Audits and their Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) program, including access to SEPTA infrastructure, equipment, records, personnel, facilities, and raw data with and without advanced notice. Manages results from the SSOA audit and RBI program inspections, including assignment to appropriate personnel as required.

7. Coordinates with the FTA and FRA for any required audit and/or verification on-site activity.

8. Develops change management strategies to further mature Safety Assurance and Regulatory Compliance programs and processes.

9. Engages in cross-functional coordination, including executive engagement, to ensure authority-wide participation, compliance, and participation in safety programs and priorities.

10. Actively collaborates with SSD Leadership to ensure SMS practices are properly integrated into all functional areas of the division.

11. Routinely evaluates Safey Assurance and Regulatory Compliance performance in the spirit of continuous improvement and develops metrics and processes for this routine evaluation.

12. Serves on safety committees at the department and/or executive level as