Provides direct management and oversight for the Research and Analysis Unit. Responsible for making day-to-day operational decisions and developing the long-term strategic direction for the business unit, ensuring that the unit operates effectively and efficiently while supporting the strategic goals of the Authority. Provides on-time reports and business analytics to internal and external customers as needed. Responsible for using data analytics to detect, diagnose, and help solve operational challenges affecting the Authority’s operational performance and provides other actionable business intelligence to the Authority. Utilizes various surveys and data sources to help identify new and/or underserved transit markets. Develops statistical models for forecasting key performance measures such as on-time performance, ridership, and fare revenue. Manages MARTA’s Strategic Research Plan and designs, conducts, documents, and communicates applied research projects that may influence future advancements. Performs studies in response to internal information requests. Stays up-to-date on the latest technology, industry trends and technologies shaping transit research practices and ensures that best practices are incorporated into the business processes of the Research and Analysis Unit. Reports MARTA’s service supplied and service consumed statistics to the National Transit Database. Establishes KPIs for the business unit and sets targets, tracks and reports progress, and implements corrective action plans to maintain a high performance environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive, and do not include marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of the essential job functions.)

• Designs, manages, oversees, and analyzes research and data analytics projects that support the strategic goals of the Authority. Tracks and analyzes factors that impact ridership, including the socioeconomic characteristics and trip-making behavior of MARTA’s customers, service levels and performance, price, customer satisfaction, competing modes, economic conditions, population and employment trends, land uses, etc.. Assists in developing and managing MARTA’s Strategic Research Plan.
• Analyzes data collected by the Research and Analysis Unit and from various sources and transforms them into actionable business intelligence to help the Authority make more strategic decisions, Responsibilities include but is not limited to:

a. Modeling and forecasting MARTA ridership and revenue by mode, based on key explanatory factors determined through internal and/or external research.

b. Mining data collected by MARTA’s various automated systems (e.g., Automatic Fare Collection, Automatic Vehicle Location, Automatic Passenger Counts) using machine learning and other advanced techniques to identify hidden patterns and opportunities to improve customer service.

c. Detailed on-time performance for all modes operated by the Authority at the day, route, trip, and stop level.

• Collects, cleans, maintains, and reports key performance statistics for the Authority.

These functions include but are not limited to:

a. Monthly and annual service supplied and service consumed statistics for the National Transit Database, ensuring that the data meet all statistical accuracy requirements.

b. Detailed ridership activity for all modes operated by the Authority at the day, route, trip, and stop level.

c. Detailed on-time performance for all modes operated by the Authority at the day, route, trip, and stop level.

• Responds to data and information requests from internal and external customers. Works with customers to understand their needs and ensures the Office provides responsive, accurate, and timely information. Anticipates the data and business intelligence needs of the Authority and implements processes to keep regularly requested (or reasonably anticipated) data up-to-date, accurate, and readily available.
• Communicates findings and recommendations to internal and external audiences in a clear and concise way through written reports, presentations, visualizations, and web-based dashboards.
• Stays current on relevant research, tools, and methodologies and incorporates best practices into the business processes of the Research and Analysis Unit. Continuously seeks opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Unit.
• Develops and manages the annual work program, learning and development plan, and associated operating budget for the Research and Analysis Unit.
• Manages the Data Analytics Student Internship Program within the Office of Research and Analysis to develop and maintain a pipeline of highly skilled Analysts for potential employment in the Office and throughout the Authority.
• Recruits, screens, interviews, selects, develops, coaches, and disciplines (up to and including termination) a team of highly skilled technical staff. Develops, implements, and monitors employee performance plans to maximize employee potential and maintain a high-performance environment.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

A bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Analytics, Mathematics, Statistics, or other related highly quantitative field with training in statistical modeling. At least six (6) years of experience in data analysis and applied or theoretical research and three (3) years supervisory, management or project management experience required. A master’s degree is highly preferred. Demonstrated experience with the following is required: academic/industry research methods; writing code (using, e.g., Python, R, SQL, Visual Basic) to process and analyze data; using ArcGIS to produce maps and perform spatial analyses; using statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, Minitab) to analyze data with an advanced knowledge of survey statistics and statistical methods such as Bayesian models, machine learning, and clustering methods; using data visualization and data blending software (e.g., Power BI, Tableau); and project management. Directly related work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis in-lieu of educational requirement.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages Senior Performance Analysts, Performance Analysts, and/or interns. May serve as Director in an “acting” capacity when needed.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Lean Six Sigma certification highly desirable.

MARTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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