Senior Manager, Commercial Strategy, Rail

Metrolinx; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Metrolinx in Toronto is seeking a Senior Manager, Commercial Management to lead the Rail Fleet Strategy team. You will drive commercial governance, negotiate contracts, and optimize returns on investments.

You will build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, oversee multi-year projects, and mentor a team to deliver value and continuous improvement across heavy rail assets. This role supports GO Expansion and other transit initiatives in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, with a focus

Qualifications

• Requires degree and experience in planning, design, and commercializing assets in rail or transit.
• Experience managing large, multi-year transit or transformation projects and contracts.
• Ability to provide strategic advice to senior management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement commercial strategies for rail fleet assets.
• Lead contract negotiations and support legal in key terms.
• Manage stakeholder relationships across internal and external partners.
• Participate in senior management meetings and reports.
• Oversee vendor relationships and performance in multi-million projects.
• Identify risks and develop practical mitigation solutions.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Vendor management

Strategic advisory

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Business, Engineering, or related field

Tools

MS Office

Procurement software

ERP systems

Job description

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

Our Integrated Delivery Division is looking for a Senior Manager, Commercial Management to join its Commercial Management, Fleet Strategy team. Reporting to the Director, Commercial Management, you will provide to the Rail Fleet Strategy group, commercial governance, develop commercially‑savvy procurement strategies, partner with internal and external stakeholders on the negotiation of contracts, monitor and manage claims, and formulate strategies to achieve optimal return on investment for contracts.

What Will I Be Doing?

• Manage the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies, methodologies, tools and techniques for commercial management excellence and continuous improvement for our heavy rail fleet assets.
• Manage and support the negotiation of contract documents and support Metrolinx Legal Services in providing strategic advice for the development of key contract terms.
• Maintain a strong working relationship with both internal and external stakeholders, including the business units, legal, procurement, other commercial teams, proponents and service providers.
• Participate in senior management team meetings, presentations, and committees.
• Oversee complex customer and vendor relationships and expectations in a multi-million-dollar project environment.
• Collaborate with internal partners to identify and discuss emerging issues, concerns, and risks and develop practical and deliverable solutions.
• Lead a team to deliver on work priorities related to agreed‑upon commercial strategies, analysis of existing contract language and positioning of negotiations.
• Lead the resolution of significant commercial issues, including complex engineering and operational challenges to ensure the successful execution of strategies and completion of key projects.
• Communicate expectations and obligations from managers to Senior Executives and monitor and report on performance to optimize value and support continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide oversight and monitor agreements on risk mitigation and management, value management and cost control to identify and advise on the resolution of a range of critical issues, including vendor performance. Manage vendor adherence to terms and enforce contractual obligations and conditions by engaging internal and external legal representation and leading them in negotiations and resolution of matters, or enforcement of penalty clauses, liquidated damages, etc.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in Business, Applied Science, Engineering, Architecture, or a related discipline or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent.
• Demonstrates experience in progressively responsible business roles related to the planning, design, construction, commercializing assets, increasing revenue and operation of rail and/or transit fleet, infrastructure and/or services, and related works facilitating third party partnerships, including a demonstrated experience managing large, complex, multi-year transit or transformation projects and/or operational contracts.
• Highly developed political acuity skills to recognize and respond to issues which may have an impact for the organization; to recognize what information can be shared with external stakeholders/partners, and potential political implications; to exhibit sensitivity to issues being faced at the senior management levels, and how political agendas may impact decision‑making; Proven experience in providing strategic advice to senior management.
• Sound analytical and interpretive skills to synthesize information from a wide variety of sources; acute attention to detail and tolerance to ambiguous situations; judgment on when to elevate issues with a member(s) of the Senior Management / Executive Team.
• Experience with vendor management to evaluate vendor positions and review change proposals; sound understanding of contracting principles, practices, rules, regulations and procedures to assess risks and provide advice on implications of the terms and conditions of contracts.
• Knowledge of any combination of regulatory, legislation, legal, and financial issues related to government bodies, external agencies, partnering transit organizations and heavy rail fleet assets are considered an asset.
• Professional Engineer Ontario (P.Eng.), Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.), Ontario Association of Architects (OAA), Project Management Professional (PMP), and/or Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) designation would be an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in progressively responsible roles facilitating third‑party partnerships related to planning, design, construction, commercializing assets, increasing revenue and operations. Experience in the transportation industry and public sector is an asset.
• A valid driver’s license to travel to various project locations, public meetings, etc. is required.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

Accommodation:

Metrolinx is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are also committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point during the hiring process, please contact us at: 416-202-5601 or email [e-mail].

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.

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