The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is seeking a highly strategic executive for the role of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). DART is the largest public transit agency in the State of Iowa and connects thousands of people every day to jobs, school, medical appointments, entertainment and more. Under the direction of the 12-member DART Commission, the CEO assumes full responsibility for the administration, management, and operations of DART. The CEO makes recommendations to the Commission regarding DART’s service operations, daily activities and business affairs, and assumes the leadership role in executing the policy decisions of the Commission. DART currently serves 11 cities within Polk and Dallas Counties and parts of unincorporated Polk County. DART operates 145 fixed route, on-call, and paratransit vehicles that provide service to approximately two million people every year.
With overall responsibility for the delivery of DART’s service, the CEO manages the operations, maintenance, finance, human resources, capital and information technology departments, among others. This position represents DART’s interests at a local, state, and national level including advocating for financial resources and on legislative matters that pertain to public transit’s vital role in the community. DART’s CEO is responsible for maintaining positive and productive relationships with employees, unions, government agencies, local businesses, the media, the public, advocacy groups, non-profits and other stakeholders throughout the region.
It is essential that DART’s CEO is committed to ongoing communication and advocacy on behalf of DART and its services to provide equitable, accessible, and affordable transportation options for the region’s residents and visitors. The CEO is responsible for developing and maintaining close and collaborative working relationships with the DART Commission and member communities in order to identify, promote, and implement policies, goals, and programs to meet established and forecasted community and agency needs in regard to both funding and service.
The ideal candidate will be able to provide and implement a strategic vision for the agency along with short- and long-term objectives in coordination with the DART Commission. The CEO will have strong financial acumen and the ability to navigate and understand funding diversification and the identification, pursuit, and implementation of sustainable funding sources. DART’s CEO will listen to stakeholder needs, engage with employees and community members, identify opportunities for collaboration and consensus building, and advocate for the needs of the transit system with the overall vision of facilitating affordable, seamless mobility options that support economic prosperity for all.
A Bachelor’s degree with a major in business, transportation, or public administration, engineering or a related field and five (5) years of job related managerial or administrative experience at an organization of comparable nature, complexity and size to DART, preferably within public transit, is desired. A Master’s degree in a related field is also preferred. Experience which demonstrates substantial knowledge and abilities pertinent to specific job functions may be substituted for the education requirement. Experience in obtaining and administering state and federal funding is desirable.
To obtain more information or to submit a resume and cover letter, please contact Gregg Moser, Principal at K&A, at gmoser@kapartners.com.
