Vice President/ Deputy CEO

Req #698

Milwaukee, WI, USA

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 1:00 AM | Expires Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 12:59 AM

Department:                        Executive

FLSA Status:                       Exempt, Non-Represented

Salary Range:                     $142,400- $178,000

 

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is seeking a Vice President/Deputy Chief Executive Officer (VP/Deputy CEO) to assist the President and CEO with the transit system’s work towards enhancing the quality of life in Milwaukee County through great public service. MCTS connects our community with essential transit services in an endeavor to achieve racial equity and become the healthiest County in Wisconsin. VP/Deputy CEO candidates will have detailed knowledge of principles, policies, and practices of operating a large urban transit system, along with a deep understanding of mass transit strategies and the role of operations-related performance metrics. The successful candidate will have an ability to communicate complex concepts about objectives and achievements for multiple audiences: employees, labor unions, transit passengers, elected officials, and other stakeholders. The ability to understand and influence political operatives in the furtherance of transit needs is also a must. 

 

The new VP/Deputy CEO will use their experience of leading teams through problem solving processes to analyze issues at MCTS and lead working groups from idea generation through concept assessment, plan development, and implementation consistent with established timelines. In addition, experience evaluating talent, holding staff accountable for performance, and evaluating whether the right person is in the right seat will contribute to organizational success. Finally, a demonstratable commitment to racial equity with respect to employees and engagement with community members will be a key to success for the individual candidate and MCTS. 

 

JOB SUMMARY:

The VP/Deputy CEO reports directly to the President and CEO, serves as a member of the Executive Team and provides support and coordination across all corporate departments. This position has oversight of various areas of the organization including operations, administration, and IT. The VP/Deputy CEO provides strategic direction for these organizational areas and ensures proper management staff and methods are in place to ensure company success.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Ensure that MCTS services are safe, reliable and customer focused.
2. Benchmark MCTS against transit industry trends and best practices.
3. Establish and enhance relationships with MCTS Management, employees and union leadership.
4. Support informed recommendations for Milwaukee County officials/administrators.
5. Uphold the transit system’s mission, vision and values consistent with Milwaukee County’s Mission and Vision.
6. Execute the annual business plan for transit and provide regular and timely reporting on plans, progress, issues, and results.
7. Assist in establishing strategic direction for MCTS and refine short-term goals, objectives and priorities.
8. Shape recommendations for policies and practices using key statistics, valid projections and appropriate fiscal estimates.
9. Use performance measures and key statistics to encourage actions that produce positive trends, while seeking ways to mitigate negative trends.
10. Foster innovation and provide support to ensure that new activities are tested, considered and implemented.
11. Manage relationships with executives and department heads within the organization.
12. Perform other duties as required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ten (10) years of experience in Public Transit or similar government structure.
2. Five (5) years of experience in a leadership role within an organization that required leading teams and driving organizational strategy. 
3. Five (5) years of management experience required.
4. Bachelor's Degree in Business, Finance, Public Administration, or a related field required. Equivalent experience in related fields may be accepted in lieu of educational requirement.
5. Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders such as public officials, boards or other entities.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of principles, policies, and practices of large urban transit system operations.
2. Knowledge of transit industry trends and best practices.
3. Knowledge of MCTS operations and policies.
4. Knowledge of multi-faceted business operations.
5. Knowledge of public policy and board relations principles.
6. Knowledge of external environment, community, and the role of mass transit.
7. Knowledge of key performance indicators, and operations-related performance metrics.
8. Knowledge of best practices in management and governance.
9. Knowledge of essential human resources management and best practices including team building and optimizing staff performance.
10. Knowledge of labor relations principles and applicable labor agreements at MCTS.
11. Skilled in computer operations including Microsoft Office and related software.
12. Ability to lead, manage and support senior-level executive staff.
13. Ability to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships.
14. Ability to manage conflict and balance competing interests from multiple internal and external stakeholders.
15. Ability to lead a team through problem solving processes; capable of analyzing issues and leading a group from idea generation through concept assessment, plan development, and implementation consistent with timelines.
16. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
17. Ability to present to others.
18. Ability to understand and influence others including political operatives in the furtherance of transit needs and requirements.
19. Ability to communicate complex concepts about objectives and achievements to summarize overall system effectiveness measures for multiple audiences.
20. Ability to understand the external environment/community.
21. Ability to take an organizational perspective and think strategically.
22. Ability to determine overall company goals.
23. Ability to set organizational strategy.
24. Ability to implement strategic plans.
25. Ability to implement large-scale policies and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

 

1. Work is frequently conducted in office or similar indoor environment relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards. Incumbent may sometimes be in the community, at a warehouse or in a shop environment.
2. Physical requirements are those described as sedentary work, which includes exerting ten (10) pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently and/or constantly having to lift, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:

 

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

 

Milwaukee County Transit System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age; protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/mcts/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/4788