Description

The City seeks a visionary, innovative, collaborative, and results-driven Director to lead the modernization, maintenance, and strategic advancement of Cincinnati’s infrastructure systems. This leader will lead the team with the goal of delivering safe, reliable, and well-maintained streets.  The Director will, ensure rapid response to roadway deterioration, and implement proactive pavement management strategies that extend asset life and protect public asset investment.

The Director will play a critical leadership role in leveraging Cincinnati Southern Railway Trust revenues to address deferred maintenance and invest in roads, sidewalks, bridges, retaining walls, and other essential assets within the public right of way. The successful candidate must understand the urgency of deploying capital dollars efficiently, equitably, and transparently to improve neighborhood infrastructure and quality of life.

This position requires a leader who recognizes that time equals money and is committed to accelerating project delivery, removing barriers, and ensuring capital projects move from planning to construction without unnecessary delay.

The Director will also support transformational initiatives shaping Cincinnati’s future, including transportation modernization efforts, pedestrian safety, the Lunken Airport Strategic Plan, and redevelopment opportunities associated with the Cincinnati Subway RFP process. These initiatives enhance mobility, economic vitality, and regional connectivity.

The Director should be able to articulate examples of deploying innovation, smart infrastructure technologies, and data-driven decision-making to improve traffic signals and street lighting systems, asset management, and service delivery while fostering collaboration across departments, regional agencies, and community partners.

General Statement of Duties
This employee is responsible to the City Manager for the direction, management, and executive leadership of the Transportation and Engineering Department. Areas of responsibility and focus include streetcar operations, the design, construction, and inspection of engineering and architectural projects for the City of Cincinnati.  Ensure the quality of work and adherence to established policies and procedures. Performs related duties as required.

Key Early Expectations
Deliver forward thinking ideas to improvement roadway conditions capital deployment, specifically addressing accelerated paving schedules.
Implement preventative maintenance programs to reduce long-term costs and improve street longevity.
Expedite capital project delivery to maximize the impact of Cincy on Track funding.
Support catalytic transportation and infrastructure initiatives that enhance regional connectivity and economic growth.

Leadership & Operational Excellence Expectations
The Director champions operational excellence by embracing and leading process improvement and organizational reform initiatives. This includes   evaluating workflows, eliminating inefficiencies, modernizing systems, and implementing continuous improvement practices that streamline operations,   reduce costs, and accelerate service delivery.
This leader fosters a culture where employees are empowered to identify improvement opportunities and contribute to smarter, more efficient operations.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)
(Illustrative only. Any one position may not require all the listed KSAs, nor do the listed examples include all the KSAs which may be required.)

Knowledge of:
Principles of urban design, architecture and architectural design procedures and concepts. Principles and practices of engineering, relating to areas such as construction management, geotechnical engineering, structural design, highway design and general civil engineering. Principles and practices of program development and administration. Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration. Principles of management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
City personnel policies and procedures. Safety principles and practices for employees.

Skills to:
Operate appropriate computer equipment; use properly all related hardware and software.
Operate assigned vehicle in the course of duty.

Ability to:
Implement and maintain positive employee relations.
Promote and maintain highest integrity throughout all personnel. Analyze and manage effective EEO/AA programs.
Manage a comprehensive municipal engineering, architectural, and transportation program.
Oversee, direct, prioritize and coordinate the work of executive staff. Select and evaluate staff.
Participate in the development and administration of departmental goals, objectives and procedures.
Oversee large program budgets.
Review of administrative and financial reports.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques. Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the administration, Council, community, and other agencies.
Provide visionary and innovative leadership that inspires high performance, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Lead with a results-oriented approach prioritizing rapid and responsible deployment of capital improvement funds.
Demonstrate a clear understanding that time equates to cost and implement processes that accelerate project delivery while maintaining quality and compliance.
Foster a collaborative, solutions-driven environment across departments, elected officials, regional partners, and community stakeholders.
Champion proactive roadway maintenance, pavement management, and infrastructure preservation strategies.
Utilize emerging technologies and smart infrastructure systems to improve street lighting, traffic signal systems, asset management, and service delivery.
Develop innovative recruitment, retention, and workforce development strategies to address skilled labor shortages and build a sustainable workforce.
Promote operational excellence through process improvement, performance metrics, and modern project management practices.
Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to advancing major city infrastructure initiatives, including Cincy on Track. 
Support visionary civic initiatives such as the Lunken Airport Strategic Plan and the Cincinnati Subway RFP process.

Examples of Work Performed
(Illustrative only. Any one position within this classification may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all the tasks which may be performed.)

Assumes administrative management responsibility for streetcar operations, engineering and architectural services and activities, including construction, management and repair of highways, bridges, retaining walls, landslide corrections, sidewalks, architecture, and construction management.
Manages the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; administers policies and procedures.
Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates personnel; makes available staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; implements City human resources policies and procedures.
Oversee the development and administration of the annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments. Serves as the liaison for the City Manager with other divisions, department, and outside agencies; attends meetings of City groups and outside groups as assigned.
Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; serves as technical advisor to the City Manager, City Council, and other City departments. Provides direction to public works capital improvement projects; approves standard construction drawings and specifications; approves final plans and cost estimates of projects.
Enforces City safety policies and principles; enforces the Cincinnati Municipal Code.
Assist those contacted in the course of duty in an effective, efficient, and professional manner.
Leads the strategic planning and execution of capital improvement programs with an emphasis on timely delivery, cost control, and measurable outcomes.
Implements modern asset management and pavement preservation programs to ensure long-term roadway performance and fiscal sustainability.
Ensures streets are proactively maintained through accelerated paving, preventative maintenance, and rapid pothole repair programs.
Advances smart city technologies including energy-efficient street lighting, intelligent traffic signal infrastructure, and data-driven maintenance practices.
Provides leadership and coordination for major transportation and infrastructure initiatives, including streetcar operations and multimodal connectivity projects.
Supports strategic planning and implementation for high-impact civic initiatives such as the Lunken Airport Strategic Plan and redevelopment opportunities associated with the historic subway system.
Identifies and removes operational barriers to expedite project timelines while maintaining regulatory compliance and public safety.
Builds strong partnerships across departments and with regional agencies to accelerate project implementation and improve service outcomes.
Develops workforce strategies addressing recruitment challenges, succession planning, and retention of skilled technical staff.
Monitors and evaluates service delivery effectiveness and implements improvements to ensure efficient and responsive operations.

Requirements

Each applicant must have eight years of progressively responsible experience as a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect or as a Public Administrator plus a bachelor’s degree from an accredit college or university. 

A master’s degree is preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must have a valid Driver's License
Must be an excellent communicator and teambuilder.