Director, Small Business

Responsible for compliance with all requirements relevant to METRO's Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs. Directly manages all SBE/DBE contract compliance reporting, auditing and monitoring according to METRO (SBE/DBE) Programs and Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulation 49 CFR Part 26.  Assists in development of programs to increase the capacity and capability of small/disadvantaged businesses to participate on METRO procurements.  Monitors Small Business certification program policies and processes. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with all applicable rules and safety procedures.

• Provides primary managerial direction and performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g. training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing productivity of staff and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.
• Establishes and is responsible for the calculation of METRO's Small Business contract goals.
• Establishes and is responsible for the calculation of METRO's Tri-Annual FTA DBE goals and reports DBE goal achievement on all eligible contracts and/or grants to FTA bi-annually.
• Directs and reviews Commercially Useful Function audits.
• Directs and oversees Small Business' participation in the procurement/solicitation process for compliance with METRO and FTA requirements for small/disadvantaged business participation, and participates in pre-bid/proposal conferences and on evaluation selection committees.
• Directs processes for Small Business contract compliance monitoring and reports contract goal achievement.
• Responsible for developing and directing a systematic method for intake and resolution of complaints regarding small/disadvantaged businesses.
• Manages dispute resolutions between small/disadvantaged businesses and prime contractors.
• Interfaces with contractor communities, internal management and external entities and government officials in support of compliance functions.
• Conducts contract analysis and audits as required to assure Small Business goal achievement and compliance with METRO SBE/DBE programs and procedures.
• Responsible for oversight of Small Business certification and directs processes for certification and re-certification.
• Directs the flow of documents and information in preparation of Board agenda items and interacts with management throughout METRO to accomplish this task.
• Responsible for establishing, maintaining and monitoring departmental budget.
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field.

Minimum eight (8) years experience in Small Business/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise compliance programs to include five (5) years supervisory/management experience. Experience with procurement of construction projects. Experience with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations preferred.

Knowledge of federal and state legislation relative to contract compliance, procurement, small business and DBE programs. Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills to effectively convey goals and initiatives to staff and management. Excellent negotiation and decision-making skills. Working Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook). General knowledge of contracts and business services.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.
Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.
We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.

Grade 15