Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs

Salary : $230,929.71 - $287,132.14 Annually
Location : 375 Beale Street, San Francisco, CA
Job Type: Regular/Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 240
Section: Funding Policy & Programs
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 12/13/2026 11:55 PM Pacific

ABOUT THE ROLE
Be part of a team that plans for and implements strategies to make the Bay Area more affordable, better connected, and even more economically vibrant, healthy, and diverse now and for future generations. As a senior member of the leadership team, the Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs is very important to the overall success of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

The Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs, reports to the Deputy Executive Director, Metro Planning & Policy and functions as a member of MTC's senior management team to anticipate, identify, initiate, implement, and carry to completion the responsibilities for the respective section. The Section Director is responsible for leading and mentoring staff by providing performance oversight and clarifying performance expectations. In addition to overseeing an overall section staff of 26, organized into three units each led by an Assistant Director, the Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs oversees policy development and investment decision-making including $1.5 billion annually in federal, state, and regional transportation funds. These investments and policies implement the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)/Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), a comprehensive blueprint for the development of mass transit, highway, local streets and roads, rail, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities that integrate planning for transportation, land use, and housing.

Other areas of focus include transit capital and operating funding, project delivery and timely use of funds, and asset management. In this role the Section Director works closely with a wide variety of transportation stakeholders, including the region's transit operators, county transportation agencies, cities, and state and federal partners.

Funding for Bay Area transit operations has become one of the region's most pressing challenges. The Public Transit Revenue Measure District was established by Senate Bill 63 (2025), which also authorizes a regional transportation revenue measure to be placed on the November 2026 ballot. The District is comprised of the same individuals that govern MTC. Should voters approve the measure, the Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs will be responsible for much of MTC's work supporting the District moving forward.

The Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs will lead or directly oversee a diverse and changing set of assignments from conceptualization of the approach to preparation of specific products, to public review, and action by the Commission. The Section Director will also work collaboratively in a team environment with other MTC directors and staff including engaging in MTC's long- and short-term goals and objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs will lead or directly oversee a diverse and changing set of assignments from conceptualization of the approach to preparation of specific products, to public review, and action by the Commission. These assignments include the following key areas:

Transit Capital Policy and Programming:

Lead regional policy and programming for transit capital investment, including the Transit Capital Priorities program and the region's major transit projects. Coordinate the agency's policies and approaches to major or competitive funding programs such as federal Capital Investment Grants, state SB1 programs, bridge toll investment programs, and others.

Fund Management and Program Delivery:

Translate RTP/SCS recommendations into funding implementation plans for key regional initiatives. Develop guidelines and procedures for the programming of federal, state, regional and local funds, including the One Bay Area Grant program (OBAG) and the federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Oversee regionwide federal grant and fund administration, project delivery and timely use of funds, and local streets and roads asset management.

Financial Planning, Performance Analysis, and Assessment:

Develop financial forecasts, strategies, policies and packages for regional plans and programs, including revenue forecasts for the RTP/SCS and analysis of legislative proposals. Oversee transit operating allocations and analysis of transit operating needs. Lead programs that advance safety and Vision Zero, transportation access and equity, and mobility, including MTC's Lifeline Transportation Program. Prepare financial information for education of policy makers, staff, and the general public.

Public Transit Revenue Measure District:

Lead MTC staff work supporting the Public Transit Revenue Measure District.

QUALIFICATIONS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The following personal attributes, traits, and skills are of the greatest importance in the final selection for the position of Section Director, Funding Policy & Programs:

• A track record of working in partnership with transit operators, county transportation agencies, cities and counties, and state and federal agencies, recognizing that little of this section's work can be accomplished alone;
• Strong leadership and management, including a demonstrated commitment to coaching and developing staff and preparing them for future leadership roles;
• Ability to work collaboratively with fellow Metro Planning & Policy Section Directors on work planning, strategic planning, and succession planning;
• Political acumen and negotiation skills, including the ability to represent the agency in challenging settings and navigate a fast-paced, high-visibility environment;
• Excellent communication, presentation, and listening skills, including the ability to explain complex funding issues to the Commission, partners, and the public;
• Strategic and analytical thinking, with a commitment to high-quality work products and services;
• Commitment to continuous improvement through the exploration of new tools, technologies, and approaches;
• Commitment to advancing a fair, just, and inclusive Bay Area through policies, actions, and investments;
• Transparency, accountability, and responsibility in providing information and making decisions, including timeliness in project schedules, budgets, and reporting; and
• Belief in MTC's mission to advance shared local and regional priorities for transportation, housing, and the environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An appropriate combination of education and experience that has provided the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is:

Education: Completion of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university is desired, with a Master's degree in Public Policy or a related discipline preferred. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with an equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

Experience: A minimum of six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience leading and managing a division or department doing related work is required, including a minimum of four (4) years of senior management experience in regional or local transportation planning, transportation finance, public policy, or a similar position. Experience may be drawn from direct experience with a government agency or in support of a government agency (i.e., consulting to the public sector).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Deep familiarity with the metropolitan transportation planning and programming process, including federal and state requirements. 10+ years working in this subject area highly preferred.

Applicants with a degree issued by an institution outside the United States who are using that degree to meet the minimum qualifications for the position must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic credential evaluation service and provide proof of equivalency with their application. An evaluation is generally not required if: 1. The position does not require a degree, 2. You qualify through work experience alone, 3. You hold a professional license or certification that satisfies the educational requirement, or 4. You have another degree earned in the United States that independently satisfies the educational requirement. To ensure a fair and consistent review, any required academic evaluation must be submitted at the time of application so qualifications can be verified before candidates advance in the recruitment process.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please use this link:
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

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

DISABILITY
The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment or skills assessment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If selected for an interview or testing, and you require accommodation, please notify the Human Resources Department when confirming your interview or test.
All MTC employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
THE FOLLOWING ARE AMONG THE BENEFITS OFFERED TO MANAGEMENT STAFF OF MTC:

• 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 as of January 1, 2013 will offer two pension plans. The plan employee will receive will be based on the individual's historical pension plan membership. HR will discuss this directly with all final candidates.
• Health Benefits Insurance through the Public Employees' Retirement System (premiums are shared between agency and employee).
• Agency-paid Dental Insurance (dependent coverage shared by the employee and MTC).
• Agency-paid Vision Care Insurance, employees only (dependent coverage is paid in full by employee).
• Agency-paid Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance.
• Eleven paid holidays per year.
• 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.
• One day per month paid sick leave, with no limit to the amount of sick leave that can be accumulated.
• Personal Business leave; up to three (3) days per year depending upon date of hire.
• Monthly Transit/Parking Subsidy.
• Alternative employee paid payroll savings plans available (tax-deferred compensation plans).
• Two employee-paid voluntary participation programs which are pre-tax, dependent care and flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary Supplemental life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.

01

Briefly describe how your previous experience and education qualifies you for this position. (Please refer to Qualifications and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities in the job description when answering this question.) **250-word maximum.
02

Tell us about a regional or multi-agency initiative you helped deliver that relied on partners you did not oversee. What was your role, how did you bring those partners together, and what did the initiative achieve?
03

Share a specific change you made to a program, funding formula, or planning process to produce more equitable outcomes for low-income, disabled, or historically underserved communities. What did you change, what trade-offs did it involve, and how did you measure whether it worked?
04

Give an example of a time you led a team through a significant change, such as a reorganization, merger, or shift in priorities, where staff were skeptical or disagreed with each other. What did you do to build trust, how did you address the conflict, and what was the result?
Required Question