Senior Advisor, Operations Performance

The posting

Job Description

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

We are looking for a Senior Advisor, Operations Performance to provide strategic and operational support to the VP, Operations Performance, including team advisory, corporate administration, governance, stakeholder management and enterprise strategy alignment. This role conducts research and analysis to support policy and procedure development and leads or coordinates CEO, SMT and Board reporting and initiatives.

What will I be doing?

• Support the VP, Operations Performance in developing and executing business planning strategies, ensuring divisional and project plans align with Metrolinx’s strategic and business plans. Provide subject matter expertise, coordinate leadership team agendas and materials, align items with Senior Management Team (SMT) requirements, and oversee SMT reporting.
• Lead and coordinate special projects and multidisciplinary initiatives driven by the Executive Office, CEO, SMT and Board. Represent the VP in enterprise-wide projects, provide advisory support on policies and programs, facilitate cross-functional working groups, and coordinate internal and external resources to resolve issues and ensure consistent content and change leadership.
• Develop and deliver communication strategies, correspondence, briefing notes, speaking notes, presentations and other materials supporting key initiatives, program changes and divisional engagement. Coordinate approvals for enterprise-wide communications and collaborate with Corporate Communications, the COO’s Office and other stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and tone.
• Build strong relationships with business partners and internal and external stakeholders to understand business needs, deliver quality service, address competing priorities and resolve complex issues on behalf of Operations Performance. Promote initiatives and programs to secure stakeholder support and manage speaking engagements, public appearances and related interactions.
• Build project management awareness and capacity through information sessions and presentations. Collaborate with Directors and staff across all levels to develop project plans, scopes, designs, definitions, launch plans and delivery schedules for new or enhanced divisional and jointly owned initiatives.
• Advise the VP and divisional staff on strategic and operational matters, external trends and leading practices. Work with Directors to exchange information, review briefing notes for clarity and quality, identify consultation requirements, anticipate stakeholder concerns and support informed decision-making.
• Liaise with government agencies, municipalities and other external stakeholders to share information and facilitate consultation on divisional activities, including promotions, fare policy and other initiatives.
• Oversee Operations Performance Office administrative processes and financial and human resource matters on behalf of the VP. Support workforce planning activities, including resource submissions, and help ensure effective divisional operations.
• Ensure quality standards are maintained in the development and implementation of divisional projects and Operations Performance’s contributions to enterprise-wide initiatives. Identify unfamiliar or complex problems, systematically assess alternatives and develop effective solutions.
• Demonstrate Metrolinx’s organizational values and behaviours, foster a healthy work environment, and collaborate across the organization to support divisional priorities and successful program delivery.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a related discipline. A postgraduate degree (Master’s) is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated years' of experience advising senior executives, leading teams, managing and reviewing written materials, and managing projects from inception through implementation.
• Strong business acumen and operations management knowledge, with the ability to research external trends and leading practices to inform the development of projects, initiatives, policies and programs.
• Demonstrated experience applying structured project management methodologies to develop project plans and charters, manage priorities, track progress, and deliver objectives within established timelines and deliverables, including experience supporting large-scale organizational initiatives.
• Proven leadership and change management experience, including knowledge of change management principles, practices and methodologies, the ability to navigate organizational change challenges, and experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess business processes, evaluate and recommend changes to policies, programs and practices, and develop effective solutions.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage competing demands, navigate ambiguity, exercise sound judgment and discretion, take initiative, and work independently with minimal oversight while maintaining a broad organizational perspective and commitment to customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships, manage stakeholder expectations, resolve conflicts and issues, and collaborate effectively with diverse audiences in dynamic, cross-functional environments.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic, facilitation and oral, written and presentation communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings with stakeholders with diverse or competing interests, draft correspondence, prepare reports and briefings, and develop and deliver presentations.
• Proficiency in project management software and Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Microsoft Project, with the ability to develop detailed reports and work plans that support the achievement of organizational objectives. *This position requires the successful candidate to work on-site at our office five (5) days per week*

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

If you’re excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

Accommodation:

Metrolinx is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are also committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point during the hiring process, please contact us at: 416-202-5601 or email [email protected].

Application Process:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Metrolinx will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time-sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate.

For Internal applicants, with the recent implementation of the Internal Mobility Policy, the internal recruitment process has changed for non-union roles. Candidates must be in their current role for 12 months prior to applying for another role and each applicant must be in good standing (not participating in a Performance Improvement Plan). Please review all provisions of the policy before submitting your application.

Should it be determined that any background information provided is misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.