Director Information & Analytics

Position at Long Island Rail Road

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director, Information & Analytics

Department: Office Of Innovation

MTA Agency: LIRR

Primary Location(s): Queens

Salary Range: $136,505-$170,631

Position Classification: Non- Safety Sensitive

Union Affiliation: Non-Union

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

About your agency:

Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles - from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.

SUMMARY:

• Lead the implementation of the Enterprise Asset Management program, focusing on data architecture, analytics, and operational integration to support MTA and LIRR goals.
• Develop a deep understanding of organizational structures, business processes, and enterprise systems to design integrated, analytics-driven solutions.
• Oversee agile technical teams and collaborate with IT and data engineering to build, configure, and integrate asset management applications aligned with enterprise data and governance standards. You drive the development of dashboards, Power BI tools, and advanced analytics while engaging stakeholders and evaluating emerging technologies to support future needs.
• Support operations, guide change management, and mentor team members to ensure continuity and technical excellence.
• Drive growth and competitiveness by identifying, developing, and implementing new ideas, technologies, or processes

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

Enterprise Leadership & Vision

• Establish the enterprise-wide vision for data, analytics, and information management to

support operational, financial, and strategic decision-making.

• Serve as a change agent, driving the organization away from siloed legacy practices

toward integrated, enterprise-centric solutions.

• Oversee the implementation of the Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) program with a

strong focus on data architecture, analytics, and operational integration, ensuring that asset

management applications are designed and configured to maximize data quality, analytically

capability, and business insight in support of MTA and LIRR goals.

Data Governance & Information Management

• Develop and enforce procedures for the capture, maintenance, quality, and governance

of asset and operational data across the organization.

• Ensure adoption of standardized naming conventions, asset hierarchies, information

requirements, and data stewardship models (aligned with existing LIRR policies).

• Develop deep understanding of the organization's structure, operating departments,

business processes, and supporting systems (materials management, maintenance planning,

finance, etc.) to design optimal solutions.

Analytics Strategy & Predictive Modeling

• Direct advanced analytics, including predictive and prescriptive modeling, to proactively

influence operational strategies such as maintenance, safety, asset reliability, and capacity

planning

Integrate disparate data sources and oversee development of enterprise-level analytics

environments.

Program & Project Oversight

• Manage a complex portfolio of EAM, GIS, operational analytics, and data strategy

initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and IT architecture.

• Oversee project managers and data science staff responsible for delivering analytics

capabilities and innovation pilots.

• Lead a technical team using agile methodologies to plan, design, develop, configure,

test and implement solutions in MTA IT environments.

Technology & Innovation Leadership

• Evaluate and guide adoption of emerging technologies including AI/ML, cloud platforms,

integration frameworks, and advanced analytical tools to support digital transformation

objectives.

• Ensure systems and data environments are scalable, secure, and architecturally sound,

especially when interfacing with GIS, EAM, and enterprise data platforms

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement to identify improvement opportunities, assess

emerging technologies (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning [AI/ML], advanced analytics

platforms), and align enhancements with organizational goals.

.Problem Solving & Decision Support

• Rapidly learn operational constraints, business requirements, and legacy systems across

all parts of LIRR to solve complex, multi-disciplinary problems.

• Translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for senior

leadership.

• Coordinate with Operations, Engineering, IT, Finance, and other departments to ensure

analytics solutions align with business needs and enterprise architecture.

• Liaison with approximately 30+ cross-departmental stakeholders for data, analysis, and

system integration initiatives.

• Communicate project outcomes, system changes, and strategic initiatives through

presentations, newsletters, and participation in HQ change management and strategy planning

events.

• Support departmental administration, procurement, budgeting, risk management, and

staffing plans. Train and mentor staff, developing succession and transition plans.

• Support change management activities by championing strategic communication,

engagement, and adoption of new systems and processes across departments

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Planning, Business Administration, or related field. Demonstrated directly related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree and is subject to approval.
• Proficiency in SQL is critical for database querying. Python or R is required for data cleaning, manipulation, and analysis.
• Strong foundation in statistics, mathematical modeling, and algorithms.
• Must possess a strong understanding of the importance of document management systems, both electronic and hard copy, and their integration with Asset Information Systems.
• Must possess an understanding of computer systems characteristics, features, and integration capabilities, with a focus on asset management systems and supporting applications.
• Must possess strong management skills with the ability to effectively communicate ideas and concepts as well as facts and to identify priorities and organize activities accordingly.
• Must be self-motivated, with the ability to oversee and motivate others and influence decisions, capable of identifying problems and recommending alternative solutions.
• Must possess strong project management skills.
• Must possess the ability to conceptualize an idea or thought process and develop it into a procedure.
• Must possess a strong understanding of the importance of tracking and evaluating maintenance systems data that directly impacts infrastructure safety and reliability.
• Must have an understanding of data engineering tools and techniques.
• Strong background in dashboard building platforms like Tableau, Power BI, plotly, ArcGIS Insights, Leaflet, and communicating insights is necessary.
• Must possess the ability to work independently as well as in groups to achieve defined goals and objectives.
• Must possess strong human relations, communication (both written and oral), and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the company and with outside agencies.
• May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends).
• Must possess extensive experience in strategic planning and execution, business planning, data and statistical analysis, and data reporting.
• Must possess experience in driving growth and competitiveness by identifying, developing, and implementing new ideas, technologies, or processes.
• Must possess experience managing and developing professional staff with accountability towards a budget.
• Must have experience in building analytics tools that utilize the data to provide actionable insights into operational efficiency and other key business performance metrics

Preferred Qualifications

• Required Master's degree in Arts/Sciences (MA/MS) • Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Planning, Business Administration or related field.
• Understanding of MTA Capital Program guidelines and requirements.
• Knowledge of geospatial technologies and analysis.
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
• Possess thorough knowledge of asset management information systems best practices and spatially enabled mobile asset management technologies in addition to understanding Publicly Available Specification 55 (PAS55), ISO 55000, and FTA Asset Management Guide.
• Experience in the transportation industry, specifically exposure to railroad operations, is preferred.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the "Commission"). Actual salary offers may vary based on individual work experience. The annual salary range is subject to change and may be modified at the company's discretion. Employees driving company vehicles must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers, or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.

Current employees should be in their current position 12 months prior to starting a new role and must possess a satisfactory work history. Including attendance and discipline records. Candidates selected for this position may be placed in a competitive or non-competitive class position based on their qualifications

In addition to meeting the minimum requirements of the position, the selection process may include, but is not limited to, a pre-screening assessment (i.e., physical, written, and/ or practical evaluation) and interview. Candidates forfeit further consideration in the process if they fail to participate in any step of the process when scheduled. Make-up dates/times will not be given. In addition, LIRR employee applicants must be in their current position for the 12 months immediately preceding the close date of this posting and must possess a satisfactory work history, including attendance and discipline record. A record of more than ten sick days without medical documentation in two of the last three years is considered unsatisfactory attendance. Not all qualified applicants are guaranteed an interview due to the competitive selection process. A medical examination and safety-sensitive drug/alcohol test may also be required.

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EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER:

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

If you require reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.