TRANSCOM seeks a highly qualified Chief Product and Technology Officer who will play a critical role in shaping the future of TRANSCOM, managing its complex products and operations, and ensuring responsiveness to member agencies and the traveling public. The Executive Director reports to a Board of sixteen member agencies, and affiliated non-member agencies, including state departments of transportation, toll, transit and law enforcement agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Responsibilities:
Partner with the Executive Director on strategic vision, mission, and annual goals.
As Chief Product and Technology Officer, lead and manage an IT team of 14 TRANSCOM and contract staff, fostering a collaborative work environment.
Support management of a $13 million annual operating budget, overseeing financial and administrative functions with the Executive Director and Controller.
Develop and Execute Product Strategy - Define and implement a comprehensive product strategy that aligns with the member agencies growth objectives, focusing on innovation, market needs, and operational efficiency.
Lead Product Development - Oversee the planning, prioritization, and development of new products and features, ensuring they meet quality standards, user needs, and time-to-market expectations.
Market Intelligence - Continuously analyze emerging technology trends, customer feedback, and competitive landscape to inform product decisions and strategic direction.
Cross-functional Team Leadership - Collaborate with engineering, marketing, sales, and customer support teams to ensure cohesive development and launch strategies, fostering a unified approach to product growth.
Agency Customer Engagement - Engage with key customers (agencies) to gather insights, foster relationships, and validate product direction, ensuring solutions meet market demands and customer expectations.
Performance Metrics - Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for product success, including usage metrics, customer satisfaction, and budget impact, adjusting strategies as necessary to meet goals.
Product Roadmap Management - Develop and maintain a dynamic product roadmap that communicates the vision, priority, and progress of product initiatives to internal teams, member agencies and stakeholders.
Innovation and Experimentation - Promote a culture of innovation and experimentation within the product team, encouraging rapid prototyping, A/B testing, and feedback loops to refine product offerings.
Stakeholder Communication - Regularly communicate product vision, updates, and strategic decisions to internal teams, regional agency leaders, board members, and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and buy-in across the organization.
Customer Success and Operations – Ensure regionally that the needs of the member agencies are being met and the operations teams’ needs are addressed and supported to deliver customer satisfaction.
Represent TRANSCOM at industry events, building relationships with key stakeholders.
Support external outreach, aligning TRANSCOM programs with local, regional, and national initiatives (including FHWA work program).
Required Qualifications:
Minimum 10 years of significant management experience in government, non-profit, or relevant private sector organizations.
Experience working with transportation agencies, elected officials at all levels, and ITS technologies.
Understanding of data integration and real-time traffic management protocols.
Familiarity with multi-jurisdictional transportation management (highways, transit, etc.).
Experience with contracts, RFPs, and RFQs.
Demonstrated success in leading diverse teams.
Strong fiscal management and budget oversight skills.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Preferred Skills:
Experience in high-stress situations (emergencies, weather events, etc.).
TRANSCOM (Transportation Operations Coordinating Committee) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Jersey City, NJ, that facilitates interagency collaboration between its 16 major highway, transit, and public safety agencies in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut region.
