Employee Engagement Program Manager

Job description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The Employee Engagement Program Manager develops and leads employee engagement strategies that promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture. This role is responsible for designing and managing recognition programs, engagement initiatives, and workforce connection strategies that support employee morale, retention, and organizational effectiveness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Develops and executes a comprehensive employee engagement strategy aligned with VIA’s workforce and organizational objectives. Designs engagement initiatives that strengthen morale, retention, recognition, accountability, and connection to VIA’s mission; ensures programs support a safety sensitive, 24-hour transit operation and are accessible to shift based and field employees. Leads agency wide recognition programs, including years of service awards, milestone recognition, safety recognition, and workforce appreciation initiatives; standardizes recognition practices to ensure equity, consistency, and alignment with VIA values. Partners with department leaders to embed recognition into daily operational practices. Analyzes engagement survey results, turnover data, exit feedback, attendance trends, and workforce indicators to identify risks and opportunities. Develops dashboards and measurable KPIs to evaluate program effectiveness, and present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and executive teams. Partners with Operations and Maintenance leadership to assess engagement needs specific to frontline and safety sensitive employees. Conducts listening sessions, focus groups, and site visits across facilities and transit centers, and translates employee feedback into actionable plans with defined ownership and timelines. Provides tools, training, and guidance to managers to strengthen team communication, recognition, and engagement practices. Supports onboarding, early tenure engagement, and key employee lifecycle touchpoints to improve long term retention. Collaborates with Talent Development and Total Rewards to align engagement initiatives with broader HR strategies. Partners with Communications to develop clear messaging that reinforces VIA’s culture, values, and employee contributions, and ensures engagement messaging reaches employees without regular computer access. Manages engagement related budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships in accordance with VIA procurement and financial policies. Ensures programs are inclusive, accessible, and compliant with applicable employment laws and agency policies. This job description excludes marginal functions that are incidental to performing the job. Other duties may exist.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related field; and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience providing high-level organizational support, coordinating employee engagement initiatives, planning and executing special events, and supporting organizational programs or workforce initiatives. Experience may include project coordination, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional collaboration. Experience may be substituted in lieu of education on a year-for-year basis up to four years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated experience working with frontline or shift-based employees strongly preferred. Experience leading large-scale culture or engagement transformation initiatives while working in a complex, multi-departmental or multi-site organization.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in analyzing workforce data and engagement metrics. Strong communication skills and experience presenting recommendations to senior leadership. Ability to manage complex projects and budgets. Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. Ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organization. Ability to facilitate workshops, focus groups, and leadership sessions. Ability to support leadership teams with engagement strategies and workforce planning. Ability to develop and support employee survey action planning processes. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment. Willingness and ability to adapt to changing priorities, policies, and organizational needs. Must be able to maintain good work attendance. Safety Accountability Statement: - Employees must consider safety in all tasks performed, as well as demonstrate safe judgment and decisions that not only maintain their own safety; but that of fellow employees and customers. - Demonstrate a professional commitment to assure compliance with all organizational policies, practices, and programs related to safety, health, and system security. - Employees have a responsibility to identify and report hazards, as well as potentially unsafe conditions, to your immediate supervisor or Safety Department. - Employees are responsible, and required, to stop a job/task to prevent an unsafe incident or act from occurring. This acknowledges the threat of potential injury, property damage and the opportunity for better judgment to be used. Must comply with and support all applicable VIA EEO Policies and Procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Physical ability required to be mobile, bend, stoop, stand, reach, and occasionally lift 5-25 pounds of objects, such as files, equipment and supplies, and books.

WORK ENVIRONMENTS: Work involves deadlines and multiple priorities. Works within normal office environment. This position is an on-site position and not eligible for remote work. VIA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal opportunity to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.