Chief Capital Delivery Officer

OhioX; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

COTA Bus Pass

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan repayment

Public pension (OPERS)

Job summary

COTA in Columbus seeks a Chief Capital Delivery Officer to lead the twenty-five-year growth and mobility capital program, including major transit projects, ensuring alignment with regional priorities and regulatory compliance.

You will oversee budgeting, risk management, and executive governance, building high-performing teams and fostering transparency and public trust to move the region Forward.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, or Business Management with 10 years' progressive leadership in public transportation infrastructure projects.
• Procore and PMP certifications preferred.
• Knowledge of transportation capital projects, policy, and budgeting concepts.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for LinkUS program and set direction for staff and consultants.
• Serve as the executive leader for COTA's capital improvement program and governance structures.
• Oversee long-range capital planning including the 5-year CIP and system expansion strategies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team delivering complex transit projects on schedule and within budget.
• Direct evaluation of program performance and guide decisions to address risks and issues.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations and maintain safety standards.
• Develop and administer annual staffing, operating, and capital budgets with Finance and Procurement.
• Maintain relationships with public officials, boards, and regional partners and communicate progress.

Job description

SALARY:

$159,369 - $247,915

LOCATION:

33 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43215

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

POSITION SUMMARY:

COTA's Chief Capital Delivery Officer leads the twenty-five-year growth and mobility capital improvement program in Central Ohio, overseeing all capital projects, especially large-scale transit projects, and ensuring alignment with regional priorities. Responsibilities include strategic planning, project implementation and performance evaluation, policy development, and executive oversight of project teams. This position ensures compliance with regulations, manages project risks, and drives financial transparency and budget administration. It involves close collaboration with internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners, fostering transparency, public trust, and strategic growth.

Performs duties that advance COTA's Strategic Plan and reflect the organization's core values of safety, empowerment, accountability, teamwork, and service, and support the mission of Moving Every Life Forward.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide strategic leadership for the LinkUS program, setting direction for staff and consultants and ensuring alignment with regional priorities.
• Serve as the executive leader for COTA's capital improvement program, establishing the policies, governance structures, and performance standards that guide major capital investments.
• Oversee long range capital planning, including the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan, system expansion strategies, and state of good repair initiatives, in coordination with COTA leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Lead and develop a high performing team responsible for delivering complex, multi-disciplinary transit and transportation projects on schedule, within budget, and to defined quality standards.
• Act as the accountable executive for all phases of project execution-design, engineering, right of way, utility coordination, procurement, and construction-while partnering with planning and asset management to ensure enterprise alignment.
• Direct the evaluation of program and project performance against strategic goals, providing high level decisions and guidance to address risks, resolve issues, and adjust priorities when needed.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations, while proactively managing project risks and maintaining safety and environmental standards.
• Lead development and administration of annual staffing, operating, and capital budgets, working closely with Finance and Procurement to ensure fiscal discipline, transparency, and supplier diversity.
• Maintain strong relationships with public officials, boards, community leaders, and regional partners through consistent, transparent communication on program progress, challenges, and outcomes.
• Represent COTA with federal agencies, local organizations, and professional associations to advance strategic partnerships and secure support for major initiatives.
• Provide executive leadership for LinkUS program elements beyond capital delivery, including transit service enhancements, transit supportive infrastructure grants, and transit-oriented development initiatives.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, or Business Management and ten (10) years' progressive leadership overseeing public transportation infrastructure projects, including large‑scale capital improvements with budgeting responsibilities, and experience working with local and state government, preferably within Ohio. An equivalent combination of education/training and relevant experience will also be considered.
• Procore and PMP certifications preferred.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, policies, and laws associated with transportation and capital projects.

COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status