Director, Fare & Revenue Programs

Job Description:

Director, Fare & Revenue Programs

Description

General

he Director, Fare & Revenue Programs is responsible for directing all fare related programs including fare strategy, media, systems, and administration and revenue accounting for the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans), the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) and the San Mateo County 101 Express Lanes Joint Powers Authority (EL) known collectively as the District. The Director ensures that approved fare initiatives are implemented effectively, operationally feasible, and financially sound.
This position provides strategic and operational oversight of fare systems and District revenue programs and ensures the cross-departmental coordination needed to implement policies, system changes, and operational requirements.
The Director, Fare & Revenue Programs reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The Director has 10 staff including the Manager of Fare Program Operations and the Manager of Revenue Management.

Essential Functions & Duties

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the District’s fare programs and revenue generating activities such as fare collections and real estate holdings, ensuring effective implementation of policies, systems, and programs.
• Advise executive leadership and cross functional partners on revenue policies and fare strategies, examining the potential impacts, implementation risks, and operational constraints associated with changes.
• Direct revenue management including fare revenue and fare media; participate in various internal and external policy settings boards, including Title VI compliance and reporting.
• Oversee revenue collection programs including accounting, auditing and financial reporting for all fare types for Caltrain, SamTrans, TA, and EL.
• Coordinate and guide the execution of fare initiatives approved by the Planning Department and Board, ensuring operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and alignment with agency objectives.
• Responsible for the SamTrans and Caltrain fare systems, infrastructure, and programs.
• Oversee revenue accounting, reconciliation, internal controls, and reporting across defined revenue streams, including fare media, real estate, and other District assets, ensuring accuracy, audit readiness, and data integrity.
• Oversee coordination with regional partners, including Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), to advance fare system initiatives and integrate with broader revenue strategies.
• Direct the development and continuous improvement of revenue and fare-related procedures, documentation, and audit processes to enhance efficiency, compliance, and operational performance.
• Work cross-functionally with internal departments including Planning, Finance, and Communications to ensure successful execution of key projects for the Department.
• Supervise staff. Hire, mentor, train, coach, and take appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action. Ensure EEO policies and procedures are followed. Participate in selection of staff. Coordinate staff training and professional development. Establish performance objectives. Monitor and evaluate employee performance.

Examples of Essential Duties:
• Coordinate cross-departmental activities to implement fare programs, revenue initiatives, and policy changes approved by the Planning Department and Board of Directors.
• Oversee revenue reconciliation, accounting treatment, internal controls, and audit readiness across all revenue streams, including fares and real estate.
• Direct Fare Program Manager to lead planning, testing, and deployment of fare system upgrades, technology enhancements, and price adjustments in coordination with IT, Planning, and regional partners.
• Oversee the development of fare program strategies.
• Oversee revenue and ridership forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting to support financial planning, budgeting, and strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with Planning, Real Estate, and Finance to analyze ridership, fare, and other revenue data to inform projections, performance metrics, and policy recommendations.
• Ensure the integrity, maintenance, and operational reliability of fare collection systems and other revenue-related platforms, addressing discrepancies or failures promptly.
• Manage, mentor, and evaluate staff, supporting professional development, setting performance objectives, and promoting a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in a safe manner to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures in an effort to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervision: Works under the general supervision of the Chief Financial Officer who establishes goals and objectives and evaluates performance.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient experience, training, and/or education to demonstrate the knowledge and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. In lieu of a degree, work-related experience that demonstrates the required skills and abilities may be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, finance, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of full-time progressively responsible professional experience in public transit, transportation planning, revenue management, or related fields
• Three (3) years of full-time management experience supervising technical, professional, or administrative staff, including setting performance objectives, mentoring, and fostering professional development.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and revenue systems, or comparable program oversight responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of fare programs, revenue policies, or equivalent operational and strategic experience in a public transit or public agency environment.
• Ability to provide guidance and advice to senior leadership and governing boards.
• Proven ability to manage teams with multiple levels of supervision (managing supervisors).
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders internal and external to drive operational performance of programs.
• Experience with ERP databases; PeopleSoft experience is desirable.
• Strong communication skills, experience communicating complex information (data and financial reports) to executives and boards.

Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits provided to District full-time employees:

Health and Welfare Benefits:

• Healthcare Benefits -District employees are offered a choice of healthcare providers under the CalPERS Health Benefits Program.The District will contribute ninety (90) percent towards monthly premiums for full-time employees. Fifty (50) percent for part-time employees.
  
• Free Dental and Vision Benefits provided - Employer Covers Premiums
  
• Free Employee Assistance Benefit - Employees are entitled to 5 face-to-face sessions or telephonic or web-video consultations for problem-solving support per incident, per calendar year.
  

• Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified Health or Dependent Care expenses.
  

Retirement Medical Benefits:

• Long Term Disability Insurance - After 90 days of total disability, Administrative full-time employees are eligible for 60% of monthly income covered by the District.
  
• Health and Wellness - Gyms located at most work locations and discounted Weight Watcher Membership Option.
  

Holidays and Paid Time Off:

• Paid Time Off - Newly hired employees accrue 6.5 hours bi-weekly when hired (if Exempt 8.25 hours).As you move up in years of service credit, the rate of the amount of PTO accrued will also increase.
  
• Paid Holidays - The District provides seven paid holidays throughout the year - New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4th), Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
  
• Floating Holidays - District employees can earn up to five (5) floating holidays.
  

Financial Planning Benefits:

• Pension Benefits through CalPERS -You must have a minimum of 5 years of service to be eligible for this pension.
  

• CalPERS PEPRA vs. Classic - All employees hired on, or after January 1, 2013, are considered PEPRA members and will contribute 8% of their salary up to the maximum IRS cut-off. All Classic members will contribute 6%
  
• Deferred Compensation Options - Select to contribute to one or both of our Tax Deferred Compensation Options
  
• Reliance Standard Life Insurance with 100% premium paid by the District - 1 times annual salary of employee - max $200,000
  
• Optional Life Insurance - Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves and their eligible family members.
  

Growth and Education Benefits:

• Professional Development - Access to LinkedIn Learning and San Mateo County’s professional training. District Tuition Reimbursement Program - A maximum of $5,250 per year for courses related to your job or career goals with the District.
  
• Computer Loan Program - Interest-free two-year loan with a maximum amount of $2,000.
  

Other Amazing Benefits:

• Credit Union - Employees and family members are eligible to join the San Mateo Credit Union and Patelco Credit Union.
  
• Employee Clean Commute (ECC) - Car/Van poolers and Public Transit riders receive a monthly reimbursement.
  
• Commuter Benefits - Free Employee Parking; Free Bus Pass for employee as well as children/spouse; Clipper Card/Go Pass Program for Central employees.
  

For union employees, all of the above benefits are subject to the employee’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. Benefits listed are also subject to change with or without notice and are subject to contract/provider terms and conditions.

Closing Date/Time: 3/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$191,823.00 - $243,585.00 Annually