MANAGER, CREATIVE SERVICES (ART PROGRAM)

Metro’s mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that enhances the quality of life for all who live, work, and play within LA County.

Description

Manages the development, implementation, and performance of an assigned public art program or capital project associated with the delivery of construction integrated arts and design elements, or an assigned design/branding initiative associated with improving mobility and the quality of life of the people in Los Angeles County. The position will manage the development and implementation of unique, high-visibility public art projects, programs, and partnerships in the public transit environment.

Recruitment Timeline : Interviews are projected to be scheduled for the week of December 8, 2025 . These dates are subject to change . We encourage you to monitor your governmentjobs.com profile and emails for the latest updates.

Application cut-off: Please be aware that only the first 200 applicants will be guaranteed consideration for this position. Be sure to submit your application promptly, as the bulletin will close once 200 applications are received.

Examples of Duties

• Contributes to the evolution and success of Metro's organizational objectives
• Oversees the work of staff and/or consultants
• Prepares and presents reports and recommendations to management and outside agencies
• Influences innovations in process that will realize efficiencies and cost savings
• Helps recruit and train top-notch staff and specialized consultants
• Communicates and implements safety rules, policies, and procedures in support of the agency's safety vision and goals; and maintains accountability for the safety performance of all assigned employees
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out For Art Program Assignment
• Manages highly visible capital public art projects and programs and participates in the planning, developing, and implementation of departmental work plans, goals, objectives and budgets
• Evaluates and approves the work of artists, conservators, staff and/or consultants in the development and implementation of capital public art projects to meet objectives within established timelines and budgets
• Supports the development and updating of policies, procedures, and guidelines associated with capital public art, art conservation, design excellence, and customer experience enhancements
• Reviews and provides departmental responses for incorporation of public art and design amenities within capital construction projects during planning, design, and construction phases
• Responds to Design Builder/Contractor requests for information, field meetings, fabrication shop drawings, and materials samples reviews and effects project completion punch lists
• Responds to requests from Metro departments and outside agencies for new additions or alterations to the transit system environment
• Interfaces with architects, engineers, and other design professionals to ensure quality and integrity of customer environment
• Manages coordination of complex projects between structural/civil engineers, architects, landscape architects, artists, lighting designers, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and safety personnel
• Interfaces with Metro departments, real estate developers, and contractors on joint development projects
• Supports and provides review comments for new transit corridor and new construction projects
• Works closely with Contract Administration to develop, negotiate, and execute multiple artist, professional services, and contractor agreements
• Manages performance of contractors and consultants, including all aspect of regulatory compliance, contract compliance, performance measurement, scheduling, prioritization of work, budget development, monitoring, and reporting
• Interfaces with multiple Metro departments, professional consultants, and contractors during all project and program development and implementation stages
• Initiates and writes scopes of work, requests for proposals/qualifications, evaluates proposals, and prepares cost estimates For Designer Assignment
• Conceptualizes, develops, and executes creative strategies and solutions for Metro client departments, and effectively communicates these strategies to staff and consultants
• Allocates and monitors workflow and identifies and allocates appropriate staff resources
• Collaborates with clients to refine project objectives and how they can best be accomplished within time and budgetary constraints
• Develops interim deadlines and ensures fulfillment of strategic project objectives within agreed upon timelines
• Facilitates management-level client meetings to define issues and develop strategies/workplans
• Responds to briefs from clients and management and plays contributing role in developing communications plans and objectives
• Manages, evaluates, and approves the work of staff and consultants in the design, development, and production of various communications materials, such as advertising, marketing collateral, photography, illustration, cartography, maps, fare media, and timetables to meet agency objectives within established timelines
• Manages the overall maintenance and application of uniform brand identity standards
• Analyzes highly volatile and often complex communications issues/problems and provides visual solutions that convey clear, consistent, and effective messages
• Develops and manages high-visibility visual design program strategies, policies, and procedures
• Investigates and resolves design problems by researching data in order to find the best possible solutions
• Plays a key role in the development of the agency's advertising strategies and campaigns
• Ensures quality control and digital production preparation
  
  May be required to perform other related job duties
  

Minimum Qualifications

A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Additional experience, as outlined below, may be substituted for required education on a year-for-year basis. A typical combination includes:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communications, Urban or Transportation Planning, Arts Administration, Architecture, Graphic Design, or a related field; Master's Degree in a related field preferred

Experience

• Six years of relevant experience or three years of relevant supervisory-level experience in transportation public art planning and project management, or development of complex, highly visible design/branding/identity programs or related area; positions in this class require specialized experience in area of assignment

Certifications/Licenses/Special Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (PQs) are used to identify relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) as determined by business necessity. These criteria are considered preferred qualifications and are not intended to serve as minimum requirements for the position. PQs will help support selection decisions throughout the recruitment. In addition, applicants who possess these PQs will not automatically be selected.

The following are the preferred qualifications:

• Experience developing and implementing complex, highly visible public art projects and programs

• Experience developing, negotiating, and executing arts programming partnerships with high-profile arts organizations
• Experience developing and executing public facing communications plans for high-impact arts programs
• Experience writing scopes of work, requests for proposals/qualifications, evaluating proposals, and supervising artists, designers, and specialty arts contractors
• Experience working with databases, managing arts related data, and preparing data driven reports

Essential Knowledge

Knowledge of (defined as a learned body of information that is required for and applied in the performance of job tasks)

• Theories, principles, and practices of project planning
• Modern management theory For Art Program Assignment
• Principles, policies, theories, and practices of capital program management and public art and design project development, planning, cost estimating, and budgeting
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing transportation policies funding and planning for a public agency
• Theories, principles, and practices of project and program management, transportation and land use planning, and regulations, contracts, and funding
• Organization and processes of local, regional, state, and federal government, including legislative and funding processes and policies
• Public sector contracting, procurement, budgeting, cost estimating, and accounting processes
• Translating artwork into large outdoor formats
• Concepts, practices, and procedures of architecture, environmental design, navigational schemes, user interaction, industrial design, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, materials and fabrication techniques and processes
• Transportation design, construction methods, practices, and processes
• ADA standards and foreign language requirements
• Financial and analytical methods/processes
• Copyright issues For Designer Assignment
• Strategic design concepts and development of creative design concepts that work across multiple media platforms and target audience messaging needs
• Current principles, theories, and practices of graphic design, environmental design, corporate identity, branding, typography, and signage
• Applicable software programs, such as Adobe Creative Cloud suite, QuarkXpress, Macromedia Flash, Filemaker Pro, File Transfer Protocol software utilities, compression software utilities, font management software utilities, Final Cut Pro, and applicable business software applications
• Macintosh hardware
• Image resolution, offset printing processes, and digital color printer processes
• Appropriate applications of computer color designations
• Preparation of digital graphic computer files for printing
• Various file formats and when to use each, file compression, and file and asset management including backup systems
• Reproduction of black and white and color photography, and illustration
• Basic math as it relates to proportion, perspective, and type specification
• Qualities and properties of printing papers and inks
• Other production processes, including silkscreen, embroidery, holograms, electronic fare media technologies, and other applied materials

Skill in (defined as the proficient manual, verbal, or mental utilization of data, people, or things)

• Analyzing situations, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and evaluating outcomes
• Determining strategies to achieve goals
• Exercising critical judgment and creativity in making decisions
• Communicating concepts effectively, verbally, and in writing
• Persuading others as to the importance of quality design
• Interacting professionally with various levels of Metro employees, elected officials, artists, contractors and the public For Art Program Assignment
• Capital program management and public art and design project development
• Managing the activities of a major transportation project or program
• Managing multidisciplinary professionals to achieve results
• Managing procurement contracts and negotiations
• Compiling and analyzing complex data, statistics, budgets, and forecasts
• Designing build and design-bid-build project delivery processes For Designer Assignment
• Troubleshooting errors and spotting defects
• Building consensus and support around new/unique concepts

Ability to (defined as a present competence to perform an observable behavior or produce an observable result)

• Work independently or in teams; think and act independently
• Negotiate consensus solutions
• Demonstrate and communicate an overall appreciation and understanding of quality design
• Analyze identity and information requirements and develop project strategies
• Manage projects and programs with tight deadlines in a highly multi-tasking environment
• Apply time management skills and maintain work ethics
• Establish and implement relevant policies and procedures
• Think and act independently
• Be detailed-oriented
• Maintain organized and accurate job files
• Work collaboratively or individually
• Prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence
• Supervise, train, and motivate assigned staff
• Read, write, speak, and understand English For Art Program Assignment
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, lessons learned, contracts and budgets
• Respond to design builder/contractor requests for information, field meetings, fabrication shop drawings, and materials samples
• Represent Metro before the public
• Make financial decisions within a budget
• Represent Metro before independent contractors and the public
• Read architectural/construction drawings and specifications, and visual material
• Resolve legal and contractual issues For Designer Assignment
• Define print specifications and manage fonts
• Create templates and PDF formats
• Perform copy fitting including correct typeface, size, line measure, spacing, and kerning across all media
• Evaluate separations, film, chromalin, and color key, and blueline proofs for accuracy and completeness
• Assemble comps for client review and offset or digital printer specification
• Evaluate jobs at a press check and analyze attributes or deficiencies

Special Conditions

• This job specification is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements
• The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job
• Metro provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This classification is at-will and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the hiring authority when classified as an Intermittent, Emergency, Annuitant, or Temporary employee, is assigned to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Board Clerk's Office, and/or reporting directly to the LACMTA Board of Directors
• Contributes to ensuring that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies and programs of Metro are carried out

Working Conditions

• Typical office situation
• Close exposure to computer monitors and video screen

Physical Effort Required

• Sitting at a desk or table
• Operate a telephone or other telecommunications device and communicate through the medium
• Type and use a keyboard and mouse to perform necessary computer-based functions
• Standing
• Walking (distance 5' to 100')
• Intermittently sitting, standing, stooping
• Communicating through speech in the English language required
• Good distance vision and/or depth perception to judge distances
• Color recognition (e.g., distinguishing wires, resistors, containers, light signals, etc.)

(RW)

Metro is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, or disability. Learn more about Metro’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program . Metro does not deny participation in the application process to anyone with prior justice system involvement, in line with Fair Chance hiring practices.

Selection Procedure

Applicants who best meet job-related qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process that may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral appraisal to further evaluate job-related experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

Application Procedure

To apply, visit Metro's website at www.metro.net and complete an online Employment Application.
Computers are available to complete online Employment Applications at the following Metro locations:

METRO Headquarters, Employment Office
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open: Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Metro Talent Hub
8501 S. Evermont Place
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Open: Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

East Los Angeles Customer Center
4501 B Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Open: Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm
(Closed Sun & Mon)

Wilshire/Vermont Customer Center
3183 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 174
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Open: Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Rosa Parks Customer Center
Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station
11720 Wilmington Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Open: Monday through Friday, 6am to 6:30pm
(Closed Sat & Sun)

Telephone: (213) 922-6217 or persons with hearing or speech impairments can use California Relay Service 711 to contact Metro.

All completed online Employment Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.

*Open to the public and all Metro employees

This job bulletin is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform other related job duties.

*Please refer to the applicable benefit type (Regular or Temporary)*

BENEFITS FOR REGULAR EMPLOYEES

Benefits cover probationary or regular full-time (working at least 40 hrs/week) employees of Metro.

We offer a range of high-quality medical, dental and vision plan options as well as health care spending accounts for you and your family. Metro will cover a significant portion of your health care premiums.

Medical/Dental/Vision Plan - Employee has the choice of 3 separate medical plans and 3 dental plans. A separate vision plan is included in each medical plan.

Group Life Insurance - PTSC pays for an amount equal to your annual salary, rounded up to the nearest $1,000. Minimum amount of life insurance is $30,000.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance - PTSC provides $50,000 coverage for each employee. Additional voluntary coverage in amounts up to $500,000 is available at favorable premium rates.

Long-Term Disability Insurance - 100% employer paid. Provides employees with a minimum income of 60% of earnings after six months of disability. Buy up or buy down options available.

Holidays - 12 days a year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Cesar E Chavez, Juneteenth,Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Time off with Pay (TOWP) - Compensates employees who are on approved absence from work for reasons such as illness, injury, medical and dental appointments, personal business, vacation, or observance of (a) religious holiday.
Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire date - 5 years 20 days
Beginning of 6th - 10th year 25 days
Beginning of 11th - 15th year 30 days
Beginning of 16th + years 35 days

Pension Plan - PTSC retirement plan is the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Vesting is five (5) years. Minimum retirement age is 52, based on the 2% at 62 formula.

Other Benefits: Transportation passes for employees and/or eligible dependents; Medicare; Tuition reimbursement; credit union membership; SDI; Deferred Compensation Plan; 401(K) Thrift plan; EAP; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Flexible work schedules; and Jury Duty Pay.

BENEFITS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES

Temporary (Contingent) employees are eligible for the following benefits only:

• Kaiser medical insurance
• Public Pension Plan
• 457/401K Plan
• Flex Spending
• Paid Sick Time
• Fare Media
• Rideshare Subsidies
• Metro One Fitness membership

For more information on the Benefits Enrollment for Contingent Employees, please visit LA Metro’s Pension & Benefits website at benefits.metro.net

Closing Date/Time: 12/1/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority - LA Metro

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