Chief Capital Delivery Officer

Central Ohio Transit Authority; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 159,369 - 247,915; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site health coach

Tuition reimbursement

Public pension (OPERS)

Job summary

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) seeks an executive to lead the LinkUS program and the capital delivery portfolio in Central Ohio. This role oversees large-scale transit projects, guiding strategic planning, governance, and performance across project teams to ensure alignment with regional priorities.

The position drives financial transparency, budget administration, and strong stakeholder engagement with public agencies and partners, supporting safety, accountability, and service growth.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, or Business Management with 10 years in public transportation leadership.
• Experience overseeing large capital projects and budgeting in government or transit.
• Procore experience and PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for COTA's capital delivery programs and align with regional priorities.
• Serve as executive leader for the capital improvement program, establishing policies and governance.
• Oversee long-range capital planning, including the 5-year plan and system expansion.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver multi-disciplinary transit projects on schedule and budget.
• Ensure compliance with regulations, manage risks, and maintain safety standards.
• Manage annual staffing, operating, and capital budgets with finance teams.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive leadership

Budgeting

Stakeholder management

Public sector experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, or Business Management

PMP certification

Tools

Procore

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.