Principal, Rail Expansion Program

TransLink; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 133,680 - 200,520; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended Health

Dental

Transit Pass

Enrollment in Public Service Pension Plan

Job summary

TransLink in Metro Vancouver is looking for a program leader to oversee the Rail Expansion Program, ensuring that projects meet safety and reliability standards. The ideal candidate will manage multiple stakeholders and provide strategic direction.

Applicants should have a degree in Engineering or Planning, along with a P.Eng. or PMP certification, combined with at least ten years of experience. This hybrid role requires excellent leadership and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• 10 years of management accountability in planning or transportation.
• Senior-level experience with technical projects.
• Expert negotiation skills for contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Rail Expansion Program Office.
• Oversee program controls and reporting.
• Manage program scope, schedule, budget, and risks.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship building

Analytical thinking

Financial acumen

Education

University degree in Engineering, Planning or related discipline

P.Eng. designation or PMP certification

Job description

Responsibilities

Leads the Rail Expansion Program Office, providing strategic direction, leadership, and advice to ensure outcomes are achieved for the modernization and expansion of the Expo and Millennium Lines. Ensures TransLink’s objectives are met for Program delivery related to budget, timing, customer experience, safety, and reliability. Represents TransLink at a senior level internally and with key external stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

• Provides overall leadership and program management for the delivery of the Rail Expansion Program, overseeing program controls, reporting, and coordination for modernization and expansion of the Expo and Millennium Lines.
• Ensures program delivery meets partner, stakeholder and customer expectations, and the required service levels are achieved safely and reliably.
• Ensures program adherence to established program and project management methods, standards, guidelines, tools, and techniques.
• Oversees management of program scope, schedule, budget, risks, and interdependencies.
• Directs the development of significant capital budget proposals and program change requests with large strategic impact and/or financial impact.
• Presents and reports to executives and the Board on overall program delivery performance, including progress of key projects, strategic impact, and issues of critical and/or broad impact.
• Provides strategic advice on contract engineering services, developing procurement strategies in collaboration with Procurement and evaluating proposals/bids based on best value.
• Chairs working groups, ensuring that program issues and decisions are appropriately reviewed and vetted prior to being raised to the steering committee.
• Manages internal relationships with other TransLink divisions and operating companies to facilitate decisions at project and program level.
• Develops and maintains strong partnerships with municipal governments, the province, key stakeholders, and industry to manage expectations and minimize risk.
• Supports the Vice‑President and Director, Transit Expansion in the creation and delivery of annual divisional and departmental business plans.
• Provides broad direction for reporting managers, including selection, training, coaching, development, performance management and all other people‑management practices.

Qualifications

University degree in Engineering, Planning or a related discipline, P.Eng. designation or PMP certification, plus ten (10) years of experience including progressive levels of management accountability in an agency specializing in planning or transportation; with senior level experience working with projects that require technical skills and political acumen.

Other Requirements

• Expert leadership skills to provide coaching, development and performance management to multiple programs and projects reporting managers.
• Expert relationship building with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including negotiation skills for contracts and multi‑party agreements.
• Expert analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills to resolve critical and high‑impact issues.
• Expert financial acumen for effective planning, management, and expenditure of operational and capital costs.
• Expert time management and organizational skills to balance and coordinate effort across multiple, concurrent activities.
• Excellent executive presence, business partnering, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Expert reporting and presentation skills for communication with both internal and external stakeholders.

Work Schedule

37.5 hours per week.

Work Designation

Hybrid – flexibility of working both on‑site and remotely within B.C.

Rate of Pay

The salary for this position ranges from $133,680 - $200,520 per annum. Actual salary offered will be based on education, experience, skills, and qualifications as they relate to the role.

Benefits

Competitive pay that reflects your professional background and expertise. Total Compensation Package includes Extended Health, Dental, Transit Pass, enrollment in the Public Service Pension Plan, and other employment offerings.

Equal Employment Opportunity

TransLink is committed to employment equity and building a diverse workforce, representative of the customers we serve and the many communities in the Metro Vancouver region. We welcome and encourage Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities to apply. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Posting Information

Posting Date: May 29, 2026
Closing Date: Open until filled