At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.
Job Summary
The Senior Director of Fare Policy and Analysis is responsible for the planning, analysis, and implementation of MBTA fare policy. There are two primary functions: leading a team overseeing the policy implementation of Fare Transformation and creating a short- to medium-term plan for fare policy changes and pilots, while also guiding the analysis and decision-making processes. The Senior Director of Fare Policy and Analysis coordinates internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement fare policy. This includes fare structure and tariff changes, the geographic coverage of the point-of-sale network and analyzing the impacts of fare policy changes on revenue, ridership, equity, operational efficiency, and other goals.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Act as internal expert on MBTA fare policy
- Maintain the public Tariff and Statement of Fare and Transfer Rules
- Find implementable solutions and approaches to fare policy changes, which requires being an expert on the MBTA's fare system's technical and contractual capabilities and constraints.
- Develop familiarity with fare policies at other transit agencies around the world and keep up with fare policy developments in public transit and academic research related to fare policy.
- Serve as a resource and a gatekeeper to consider equity and alignment with core principles in:
- Business development decisions around discounts, promotions, and programs
- Customer service procedures
- System/technology capabilities and workflows
- Develop a strategic 3- to 5-year plan for changes to fare policy, proactively identifying needs and opportunities for fare policy changes that advance MBTA objectives.
- Participate in the cation of the long-term vision for regional integration with other mobility providers made possible by the Cubic system.
- Develop support for and awareness of the 3- to 5-year plan for fare policy with internal and external stakeholders.
- Identify challenges to advancing 3- to 5-year plans and develop strategies to overcome impediments in collaboration with other departments.
- Develop policy recommendations by coordinating internal teams from multiple departments, reach policy decisions, and implement policy changes, including leading the biennial fare increase process.
- Coordinate with the Rail Transformation, Bus Network Redesign, Bus Transformation and other service projects to make sure fares align to our service models.
- Coordinate with the internal teams in Finance, Commercial Strategies and Programs, Customer Experience, Fare Transformation and Operations to ensure fare policies are designed and implemented in a cross-departmental fashion.
- Work with Community and Legislative Affairs to conduct community engagement with external stakeholders on fare policy decisions.
- Present proposals, facilitate discussion, and get decisions on potential fare changes with MBTA executive leadership and the MBTA's board of directors.
- Supervise analysis and forecasting on the impacts of potential fare policy changes, fare technology changes, and other changes affecting fares.
- Ensure the maintenance of datasets and modeling/analytical tools for estimating impacts of policy changes.
- Support the development of future reduced fare programs, providing projections of ridership, revenue and cost.
- Oversee any fare policy related studies or research projects.
- Ensure the timely and proper completion of equity analysis for fare changes with the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights to comply with Title VI and to ensure the stakeholders understand the equity impacts of any changes to the fare system.
- Oversee the development and monitoring of the sales network geographic coverage to meet equity commitments.
- Lead the development of proof of payment by assisting with design of supportive technologies, informing operating procedures, and contributing to analysis of fare enforcement strategies and fare evasion.
- Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of fare pilots, including any equity analysis.
- Oversee the development of fare policy business rules for new fare technology implementations or integrations.
- Collaborate with the Fare Transformation team to ensure all technology and policy decisions are in alignment to support implementation.
- Provide direction, "futureproofing", and review of business rules, and ensure that technology vendor design processes result in effective implementation of business rules.
- Hire, supervise and manage team members and interns.
- Manage procurements, contractors, capital and operating budget requests, and other administrative tasks as required.
- Adhere to the rules, and regulations, and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
- Act as internal expert on MBTA fare policy
Minimum Requirements & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in public policy, public administration, political science, urban planning, urban studies, or related field.
- Ten (10) years of full-time professional or technical experience leading or developing or analyzing or implementing public policies and/or transit or transportation plans or a related field such as regional planning, regulatory and legal policy or planning, etc.
- Seven (7) years of leadership, supervision, and/or management experience.
- Experience presenting complex information at a high level in diverse settings.
- Background in transportation policy and/or knowledge of the transit industry
- Demonstrated experience in economic or fare modeling, research design and data analysis.
- Proven ability in the successful writing and editing of reports and policy documents.
- Demonstrated experience working successfully across departments or on cross-functional teams in a complex organization.
- Team oriented with strong capability to motivate, lead and mentor others.
- Demonstrated ability and influencing skills to facilitate internal and external stakeholders to make decisions in a multifaceted and complicated environment.
- Excellent executive presence, communication skills and customer service skills (both written and verbal)
- Strong time management skills, ability to multi-task, learn quickly, take direction, and work independently and to use creative, collaborative, and consultative approaches to resolve issues.
- Ability to handle situations, issues and information with sound judgement, diplomacy and sensitivity.
- Advanced expertise in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences
- Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required)
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection)
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service
Disclaimers and Definitions:
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions.