Project Manager, Transit Data Analytics

The Role

Leads the development and management of a centralized and modern transit data analytics program for Transit Services to provide real-time, consistent, and comprehensive data, analytics, statistics and forecasts to support business operations, long-term planning, and reporting. Acts as a central point of subject matter expertise for Transit Services on best practices and standards to track, benchmark and evaluate performance, predictive modelling, data mining methodologies, and technologies.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises transit data analysts. 
• Leads the collection, organization, and management of all internal data across the Division in support of strategic and business activities.
• In collaboration with ITS staff, inputs, links, and centralizes all transit data into corporate ITS database environments to make datasets more available and accessible for staff, and ensure a single source of truth. Integrates data from various data sources/systems (e.g., conventional bus, light rail and specialized transit, customer service, fare inspection/security, route performance, fleet). 
• Implements frameworks, guidelines, and processes for the management, storage, and security of transit data in collaboration with ITS staff responsible for the overall corporate policy and direction of data management. Works with transit groups to establish data storing practices and processes, and coordinates data practices to ensure consistency of reporting and methodologies.
• Works with groups throughout Transit to support their data needs, including expanding existing data sets, reports, and integration with other data sources. Collaborates to create new reports and improve/troubleshoot existing reports. Identifies opportunities where workflows can be automated, or where changes in data tools/practices could enhance decision-making. Provides guidance/training to staff for maintaining reports.
• Works with other divisional staff and vendors to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues in data collection and reporting from buses, infrastructure, and other systems. 
• Implements a transit performance management and reporting system. Monitors system performance, applies data analytics to identify trends/issues, and develops meaningful reporting, queries, and metrics. Manipulates and analyzes data using corporate ITS tools and enterprise solutions such as spreadsheets, GIS, modelling tools, and other software.
• Leads continuous improvement activities/projects to expand existing transit data analytics. Identifies opportunities for structuring transit data and leveraging technology, including AI. 
• Determines business success factors to align with municipal, provincial, and industry (e.g., Canadian Urban Transit Association) benchmarks and key performance measures for reporting, in collaboration with other transit staff.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides expertise on best practices and standards to track, benchmark, and evaluate transit performance, predictive modelling, data mining methodologies, and technologies. Identifies, reviews, and assesses data sources and technologies for acquisition to strengthen analytical and forecasting capacity.
• Provides input to department business plans, initiatives, projections, and budgets to support continuous achievement of departmental goals and corporate strategic priorities. 
• Providing detailed analysis, modelling, and projections related to passenger revenue, ridership, and other data to support budget planning, provincial and federal funding applications and grant allocations, and reports. Forecasts revenue impact of fare increases, new fare strategies and new transit services. 
• Works with transit and corporate finance staff for industry and corporate reporting, benchmark KPI reports, ridership projects, and revenue estimates for fare changes.
• Exchanges information with staff in other departments and divisions including regional growth, development and sustainability, housing, economic development, community services and public health regarding service performance and metrics. Exchanges information with transit organizations and industry peers provincially (Ontario Public Transit Association) and nationally (Canadian Urban Transit Association). Collaborates with corporate ITS regarding database management, storage, cloud solutions, and other related processes.
• Performs related activities as required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a university degree in a related field (e.g., Planning, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Data Engineering, Computer Science) plus progressively responsible related experience. 
• Demonstrated skill and experience using business intelligence tools for data visualization, interactive dashboards, and report generation. 
• Demonstrated skill and experience in statistical concepts, modelling tools, and other applications for analytical and forecasting model development, including capabilities of leveraging AI and other technology. 
• Demonstrated experience using financial analytical tools, and applying related financial analysis and budget forecasting.
• Understanding of transit planning, scheduling, operations, and business activities.
• Familiarity with transit technologies including CAD/AVL, GTFS, APCs, and scheduling software (e.g., Hastus, INIT).
• Experience carrying out primary and secondary research and data collection.
• Understanding of database design and general knowledge of programming languages.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, legislation (e.g., privacy), and collective agreements. 
• Leadership skills to supervise, train, develop, motivate, and support staff.
• Human relations and communication skills to collaborate with transit groups and provide support/guidance; present information and provide input and expertise; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Project management skills with demonstrated ability to deliver on-time quality results.
• Ability to read and interpret policies and procedures, transit data/datasets, strategic plans, and budget/financial information. Ability to prepare information and graphics for inclusion in reports, and write clear, concise processes, guides, and related materials. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, transit operations systems, intelligent transportation systems, GIS, business performance applications, and statistical databases. 
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.
   

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities