Human Resources Director bei Metropolitan Transportation Commission, CA

About the Department

THIS JOB POSTING WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL A QUALIFIED POOL OF APPLICANTS IS ESTABLISHED.

FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION, SUBMIT A RESUME AND LETTER OF INTEREST BY DECEMBER 22, 2025.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) seeks a visionary, people-centric, and strategic human resources leader to uplevel its HR function into a strategic business partner organization that drives performance, engagement, and organizational excellence across the agency.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned HR executive to modernize a high-impact regional agency’s people operations—bringing alignment, equity, and innovation to one of the most dynamic public organizations in California. MTC offers the unique opportunity to lead at scale—impacting the systems and people who make the Bay Area move.

The HR Director will guide a team ready to evolve, within an agency that is investing in modernization and cultural renewal. For the right leader, this role offers the platform to leave a lasting imprint on one of the nation’s most forward-thinking regional public agencies.

ABOUT THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION 
MTC’s mission is to advance shared local and regional priorities that connect people, strengthen communities, and sustain the environment. The agency is guided by the values of collaboration, equity, excellence, innovation, and integrity, and by a vision of a vibrant Bay Area that is connected, equitable, and sustainable.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) serves as the regional transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area—one of the most economically dynamic and geographically complex regions in the nation. As the Bay Area’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization, MTC plays a central role in shaping the region’s transportation, housing, and infrastructure systems. Established in 1970 by the California Legislature, MTC was created to coordinate the rapidly expanding network of transit and transportation projects, including the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system.

Over the decades, MTC’s mission has evolved well beyond its original mandate. Legislative actions in Washington and Sacramento expanded its authority, positioning MTC as a key driver in determining how billions in state and federal transportation dollars are invested across the Bay Area. Today, MTC is responsible for planning, financing, and managing the region’s complex mobility ecosystem—one that must balance environmental sustainability, equity, economic vitality, and the realities of urban growth.

In partnership with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), MTC now leads integrated initiatives that connect transportation with housing, resilience, and climate goals. Together, the agencies steward Plan Bay Area 2050, the long-range regional strategy that integrates transportation, housing, economic, and environmental priorities for the nine-county region and 101 cities. Through affiliated entities such as the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA), and programs like Clipper®, 511, and FasTrak®, MTC invests billions each year in projects that make the region more connected, livable, and equitable.

With approximately 400 employees, MTC operates within a complex, collaborative, and fast-evolving organizational landscape. Its culture values professionalism, innovation, and service to the public—qualities that are essential as the agency continues to address the Bay Area’s most pressing mobility and housing challenges.

THE OPPORTUNITY
MTC stands at a pivotal moment in its organizational evolution. Following years of growth, modernization, and the integration of multiple entities, the agency is redefining what it means to be a high-performing regional institution. As part of this transformation, MTC has elevated the Human Resources function to a Section Director-level position, signaling a commitment to a strategic, trusted, and people-centered HR organization that strives for continuous improvement.

The Human Resources Director will lead a capable 15-member HR team (approximate) that has made meaningful progress in professionalizing core functions, developing internal infrastructure, revising decades-old policies, and supporting employee engagement initiatives. The agency has also invested heavily in systems modernization, including an enterprise-wide transition to Oracle Cloud (ERP), which will go live in the next six months. 

At the same time, MTC’s HR function is at an inflection point. There is a strong appetite for a modernized, strategic HR partner one that strengthens workforce engagement, planning, and development, enhances accountability, builds leadership capacity, and ensures equitable and transparent practices across the organization. The new HR Director will be the trusted leader of this transformation, advancing the agency’s people strategy to align with its mission and values.

This is a rare opportunity for a forward-thinking HR executive to lead a high-profile public agency through a period of transformation and cultural renewal—fostering trust, transparency, and performance across all levels of the organization.

THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR POSITION
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Human Resources Director leads the planning, development, and execution of MTC’s human capital strategy. The Director serves as a key member of the senior management team, partnering closely with the leaders of Finance, Technology Services, and Administrative Services to ensure that HR strategies are aligned with agency-wide goals.

The Human Resources Director is the key advisor, subject matter expert, and strategic business partner to the Executive Director, COO, and senior leadership team on all human resources and people matters. The Director develops and leads the people strategy that aligns with MTC’s organizational goals and values, operationalizing the agency’s mission through its people.

Through the delivery of a comprehensive HR portfolio that includes recruitment and onboarding; employee engagement and retention; labor relations and compliance; classification and compensation; benefits administration; training and professional development; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB); and HR information systems—and alongside a dedicated team of 15 HR professionals—the Director oversees the entire employee life cycle and strives to create a best-in-class employee experience and an environment that both meets the collective needs of the workforce and cultivates an inclusive, accessible, and high-performing organizational culture.

The HR Director will play a central role in advancing organizational effectiveness, guiding cultural transformation, and positioning HR as a strategic enabler of MTC’s success.

Position Duties

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide oversight and strategic direction for all HR programs and operations.
• Develop goals, milestones, and performance metrics for HR initiatives.
• Partner with other sections on cross-functional projects and shared objectives, and keep Executive Staff informed of HR programs, initiatives, and challenges.
• Ensure HR staff are aligned with MTC’s long- and short-term goals.
• Participate in agency-wide strategic planning and development and translate strategic directives into actionable HR programs and policies.
• Mentor and develop HR staff, providing performance feedback and growth opportunities.
• Prepare reports and presentations for internal and external audiences, including the Commission and Executive Board.
• Build and maintain relationships with labor representatives, external consultants, and partner agencies.
• Serve as the agency’s lead for DEIB initiatives and compliance with employment-related regulations.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ATTRIBUTES

• Strategic thinker who translates organizational goals into actionable HR programs and services.
• Trusted advisor with a consultative, service-oriented mindset.
• Relationship builder skilled at bridging executive expectations and staff needs.
• Courageous and diplomatic communicator able to manage sensitive issues with discretion.
• Equity-focused leader committed to fairness, inclusion, and accountability.
• Confident and resilient change leader with a collaborative, transparent style.
• Empathetic, emotionally intelligent, and attuned to organizational culture.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES (FIRST 12-18 MONTHS)
The new director will be expected to address the following overarching strategic objectives:

• Deepen HR Credibility: Reinforce reliability, transparency, and consistency through clear communication, follow-through, and equitable decision-making. Lead with integrity and responsiveness to further enhance confidence and collaboration among employees and leaders.
• Complete the Oracle Cloud Implementation and Modernize HR Systems: Ensure a smooth system go-live and integration into daily operations. Use data and analytics to improve decision-making, streamline workflows, and enhance the employee experience through technology-enabled human resources service delivery.
• Advance a Strategic People Agenda: Develop and implement an integrated people strategy that connects the Strategic Framework, classification and compensation, workforce planning, and talent development. Align this strategy with agency needs to support career growth and strengthen leadership pipelines.
• Foster Labor and Employee Relations: Maintain a collaborative and proactive labor relations approach that is right-sized for MTC’s workforce. Prepare for 2027 negotiations, clarify processes, and ensure consistent, fair, and legally sound approaches to employee and labor relations.
• Modernize Policies, Practices, and Culture: Lead the comprehensive update of outdated policies—many more than 20 years old—to align with current human resources law and best practices. Promote accountability and engagement through modernized performance management and inclusive organizational development efforts.
• Embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB): Partner with executive leadership to make DEIB principles integral to hiring, retention, and professional development. Champion equitable practices that support employee well-being, a healthy workplace, representation, and opportunity at every level.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a seasoned, strategic HR executive with experience in developing an organizational people strategy and operational execution. They will bring deep expertise in organizational development, workforce planning, and labor relations in a unionized environment, coupled with the emotional intelligence and demonstrated political acumen to navigate a complex public-sector environment.

MTC seeks a leader who is both visionary and grounded—a credible advisor who can balance the practical realities of HR operations with the broader goal of creating a high-performing, equitable, and engaged workplace. The successful candidate will be an authentic communicator, a thoughtful change agent, and a thought partner to leadership who can guide the agency through continued transformation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field is required.
Experience: Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience leading and managing HR functions, including at least four (4) years in senior management experience in human resources, organizational development, or a related field. Experience in labor relations, policy development, compliance, and strategic workforce planning is critical.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field is preferred.
Experience: 

• Senior-level HR management experience in a public-sector, represented, or similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated success leading HR modernization efforts, including systems and policy transformation.
• Experience implementing or optimizing HRIS/ERP systems (Oracle Cloud preferred).
• Strong understanding of California and federal employment law and public-sector compliance frameworks.  

Other Qualifications

SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary Range: $230,930 - $287,132 annually, commensurate with experience, PLUS a generous benefits package which includes:

• RETIREMENT: Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); employee contributes a portion of gross salary on a pre-tax basis. MTC is subject to California Pension Reform and will offer two pension plans. The plan will be based on the individual's historical pension plan membership. HR will discuss this directly with all final candidates.
• HEALTH INSURANCE: Available through the Public Employees Retirement System (premiums are shared between agency and employee).
• DENTAL INSURANCE: Agency-paid (dependent coverage shared by the employee and MTC).
• VISION INSURANCE: Agency-paid, employee only (dependent coverage is paid in full by employee).
• ADDITIONAL INSURANCE: Agency-paid Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance. Voluntary Supplemental life insurance.
• HOLIDAYS: 11 paid holidays per year.
• VACATION: One day per month paid vacation leave; for each year of service, an additional day per year is granted to a maximum of 25 days per year.
• SICK LEAVE: One day per month paid sick leave, with no limit to the amount of sick leave that can be accumulated (may cash out up to 240 hours of accumulated sick leave upon separation from the Agency).
• PERSONAL BUSINESS LEAVE: Up to three (3) days per year depending upon date of hire.
• MONTHLY TRANSIT/PARKING SUBSIDY: MTC provided public transit subsidy of up to $325 per month in accordance with MTC’s public transit program.
• DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Alternative employee-paid payroll savings plans available.
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: Two voluntary employee-paid pre-tax dependent care and health care flexible spending accounts available for employees.

HOW TO APPLY
The position is open until filled.  First consideration will be given to applicants who submit a resume and letter of interest by December 22, 2025. To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please electronically submit your resume and letter of interest to The Byers Group at [email protected]. The letter of interest should outline why you are interested in joining MTC and your relevant accomplishments.

Confidential inquiries are encouraged and can be directed to:
Ms. Brett Byers, [email protected], 323-403-8279
Ms. Christine Boulware, [email protected], 312-391-6098

To view the Human Resources Director brochure: [Click here] or visit: [https://byersgroupca.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Metro-HR-Profile-FINAL.pdf]

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a background check, professional references and the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.  

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