DIRECTOR, SYSTEMS PROJECTS (DATA GOVERNANCE)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Plans, schedules, researches, provides leadership, and oversees technical staff in order to successfully implement Information Technology (IT) projects supporting major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), software applications, and/or complex communications infrastructure systems.
This role will lead the development, implementation, and ongoing maturity of the agency’s enterprise data governance framework, ensuring data is trusted, secure, compliant, and strategically leveraged across the organization. The Director will guide cross-functional stakeholders, champion data quality and stewardship, and align governance initiatives with agency-wide digital transformation goals.

Application cut-off: Please be aware that only the first 100 applicants will be guaranteed consideration for this position. Be sure to submit your application promptly, as the bulletin will close once 100 applications are received.

Recruitment Timelines: Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of August 24, 2026. These dates are subject to change. We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Examples of Duties

• Provides advanced level project management services to lead, administer, and ultimately support the successful delivery of Information Technology (IT) projects
• Manages complex projects supporting major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., financial, budget, human resources, and transportation systems) and/or major technology infrastructure systems (e.g., network, telecommunications, business productivity, communications, and security systems)
• Provides oversight and management of technical staff and contractors in activities related to the project deliverables for IT systems and infrastructure
• Understands and follows a Project Management Life Cycle (PMLC) methodology to successfully deliver technology projects
• Works with key stakeholders to develop and prepare key integral project management documents, including business cases, project charters, budgets, project requirements, scopes of work, procurement documents, project plans and schedules, tests, and training plans
• Reviews and analyzes new project requests and justifications for new and expanded programs
• Gathers requirements to support development of project scope of work
• Interfaces with vendors for information and cost estimates
• Prepares solicitation documents for request of proposals, including cost estimate, scope of work, and evaluation process
• Participates in selection and negotiation processes for hiring of outside contractors
• Develops departmental plans and schedules
• Monitors, tracks, and evaluates work progress
• Tracks budget and actual costs
• Authorizes payment for equipment, professional services, and licensing related to the project deliverables
• Allocates assigned staff and other resources required to meet objectives
• Serves as the liaison between group departments, external vendors/providers of IT, and Metro executives
• Communicates updates, change orders, status, issues and risk with project stakeholders
• Consults with stakeholders to clarify and solve systems development needs and problems; establishes and modifies priorities and schedules to ensure stakeholder satisfaction
• Implements problem resolution programs and tracks project issues
• Presents plans, project status, and progress against milestones in oral and written reports to the Project Management Office (PMO) and executive management
• Facilitates governance and strategic planning
• Ensures conformance with federal and state regulations
• Researches and evaluates new technology software and hardware
• Participates on various committees and task forces
• Conducts special projects and studies and presents progress reports and findings
• Participates in the department's information security, disaster recovery, and safety programs
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees

May be required to perform other related job duties

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Five years of relevant management-level experience on a large-scale computer system requiring at least two years specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification and/or ITIL Certification preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and executing enterprise-wide data governance strategies including development of standards, policies and stewardship framework that support organizational compliance and data quality goals
  
• Experience assessing data landscape including mapping source systems, data flows, integrations and metadata dependencies to inform governance priorities and modernization initiatives
  
• Experience utilizing data governance tools and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) use cases, including datasets readiness, data quality improvement for models, and governance processes that support responsible and ethical use of advanced analytics
  
• Experience interpreting and operational rationalizing of data privacy, security and compliance requirements by partnering across legal, security, technology and business units to ensure consistent regulatory adherence
  
• Experience implementing governance tools workflows and operating models that resolve data pain points and scale accountability while driving collaboration among technical teams data owners and custodians and business stakeholders
  

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Project management SDLC/PMLC (Software Development/ Project Management Life Cycle) methodologies and best practices supporting all stages of the project management life cycle, including initiation, planning, design, implementation, monitoring, controlling, and closure
• Theories, principles, and best practices of information technology communications infrastructure, including LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), radio, video, microwave, telephone, and security systems
• Theories, principles, and best practices of information technology ERP systems, business software applications, Oracle applications and databases, and client/server software architectures
• Communication planning, developing and delivering presentations, and report writing
• Contract administration, budgeting, and procurement for public agencies
• Modern management theory
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) framework
• COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology) framework

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• End-to-end management of large-scale IT projects serving in the role of primary Project Manager
• Overseeing the development and maintenance of information systems in designated information technology areas
• Analyzing and directing the design of highly complex data systems in assigned application areas
• Managing large-scale and complex projects from inception to culmination
• Transforming business requirements into design specifications
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Analyzing situations, identifying and solving problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Communicating clearly, concisely, and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with IT service providers, management, and assigned staff
• Leading, supervising, training, and motivating assigned staff

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Analyze and direct the design of highly complex data systems in assigned technical system areas
• Lead and direct large groups to establish and accomplish goals and objectives
• Exercising sound judgment and creativity in decision making and problem solving
• Ability to supervise staff assigned to PMO projects/ tasks
• Evaluate and establish appropriate priorities
• Meet tight time constraints and deadlines
• Multi-task and maintain focus on objectives
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret, and disseminate information
• Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, budgets, and labor/management agreements
• Plan financial and staffing needs
• Develop and manage budgets
• Read, write, speak, and understand English

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Communicating through speech in the English language required

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Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years 20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days
Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at benefits.metro.net

Closing Date/Time: 8/4/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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