Construction Contracts Administration Manager - BSV II

VTA; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vision care

Health plans (medical, dental)

Dental coverage

Employee assistance program

Life insurance

Holiday, vacation, and sick leave

401(k) / Deferred compensation

Job summary

VTA seeks a Lead Procurement and Contracts Manager for the BART Silicon Valley II Project in California. You will oversee major construction contracts, manage procurement activities, and lead complex negotiations across delivery methods including DB, CM/GC, and Design‑Bid‑Build.

The candidate will guide RFQs, RFPs, and IFBs, ensure compliance, and maintain contract documentation while coordinating with legal, management, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Public agency or transit setting experience with complex contract administration desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement and administration of construction contracts including DB and CM/GC.
• Develop RFQs, RFPs, and IFBs and ensure procurement lifecycle compliance.
• Lead negotiations, change orders, and risk discussions with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with legal and management on contract issues and audits.
• Maintain thorough contract files and support post‑award administration.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

This is a BART Project Position and has an anticipated end date of December 31, 2036.

VTA is seeking a Lead Procurement and Contracts Manager for the BART Silicon Valley II Project.

About the Division

VTA’s Procurement, Contracts & Business Development (PCBD) is committed to procurement processes, contract administration, and compliance that fosters fair and open competition, compliance with federal, state, and local laws and requirements, and adheres to the highest ethical standards. Goods and General Services, Professional Services/Technology, Design and Construction Sections, and the Offices of Business Development and Labor and Stormwater Compliance comprise the PCBD Department.

Definition

Under general direction, the Construction Contracts Administration Manager oversees and manages the procurement and administration of construction contracts including alternative delivery contracts such as Design Build (DB) and CM/GC (Construction Manager/General Contractor).

Distinguishing Characteristics

This classification is responsible for managing major VTA construction contracts and the related contract administration activities associated with construction projects. Responsibilities include administration of contracts that are highly complex and sensitive in nature, where substantial judgment and initiative are essential in making recommendations and resolving problems. This class is distinguished from the Deputy Director of Procurement, Contracts, and Materials in that the latter has overall responsibility for all procurement, contract administration, and materials management functions.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate has in-depth procurement and contracts experience with substantial experience in transit infrastructure construction projects. The candidate will oversee and manage the procurement and administration of all procurement and contracts for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II (“BSV II”) Project, including procurement and contract administration of Technology, Architectural, and Engineering (“A&E”) and other professional services contracts and major high-value, complex construction contracts with potentially various delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, and CM/GC.

The Candidate has a proven ability to develop and oversee Request for Qualifications (RFQs), Request for Proposals (RFPs), and Invitations for Bids (IFBs), ensuring full compliance and accountability throughout the procurement lifecycle. This individual is knowledgeable in contract change management and confidently manages discussions related to project schedules, costs, design, construction, and risk. They are experienced in leading industry outreach efforts and driving complex negotiations, particularly for A&E and A&E-related contracts, while ensuring all negotiation strategies, documentation, and post‑negotiation requirements are completed thoroughly and on time. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong analytical skills in reviewing bid protests and organizational conflict of interest determinations, providing clear, fact‑based recommendations supported by thorough documentation. They are also prepared to lead procurement audits and reviews, including the FTA Triennial, while maintaining complete and compliant contract files. With excellent written and verbal communication skills, they serve as a strong representative of VTA in disciplinary matters, audits, and high‑level stakeholder interactions.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation‑related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit‑oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community‑focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Typical Tasks

• Selects, supervises, trains, evaluates, counsels, and disciplines staff;
• Provides expert guidance in construction procurement and contract administration, including DB and CM/GC contracting;
• Reviews plans, specifications, reports, and other documents for consistency with the selected contracting approach;
• Oversees the preparation of Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and Invitations for Bids (IFBs);
• Oversees and coordinates the development of contract language;
• Evaluates market conditions with respect to the viability of construction contracts;
• Evaluates project risks and risk mitigation strategies;
• Manages the preparation and negotiation of change orders;
• Analyzes cost estimates and work statements to determine the appropriate contract action;
• Ensures that Invitations for Bids and Requests for Proposals are conducted consistent with appropriate contracting regulations;
• Conducts pre-bid/proposal conferences and bid/proposal openings;
• Evaluates proposals and determines responsiveness and responsibility of offers;
• Serves as chairperson on proposal evaluation committees;
• Negotiates and prepares contracts that are highly complex and sensitive in nature;
• Coordinates with management and legal staff on legal issues associated with construction contracting and alternative project delivery;
• Executes contracts on behalf of VTA within signature authority as delegated by the Manager of Procurement, Contracts and Materials;
• Processes claims and stop notices and works to resolve protests;
• Represents VTA at disciplinary hearings and other meetings;
• Serves as a member of the management team in meetings/negotiations with labor unions and conducts financial analysis;
• Ensures that VTA complies with the various rulings and decisions of relevant administrative and judicial authorities;
• Monitors, revises, and enforces VTA procurement policies and procedures;
• Manages the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for work unit;
• Ensures that VTA complies with the requirements of funding agencies for usage of grant funds;
• Ensures compliance with VTA policies and procedures, including equal opportunity and discrimination and harassment prevention;
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient training, education, and public or private sector experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four‑year degree, and substantial, increasingly responsible contract administration experience in a public agency or transit setting involving highly complex, high dollar value contracts, with several years of supervisory experience. Possession of procurement certifications, such as CPPO and/or CFCM, are desirable.

Knowledge Of

• Theories, principles, and practices of contract administration for public agencies including alternative delivery methods (e.g. DB, CM/GC);
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing public procurement and contract administration processes for design build, construction, and professional services contracts;
• Principles and techniques of budget preparation, and program and personnel management;
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and constructive discipline;
• Bid and contract analysis and preparation techniques;
• Accounting principles and practices;
• Theories, principles, and practices of design management, construction management, quality assurance/quality control, and construction inspection;
• Theories, principles, and practices of claim avoidance and claim resolution;
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing public procurement and contract administration processes for construction contracts.

Ability To

• Federal and state requirements for conducting qualifications‑based procurements, as detailed under the Federal Brooks Act and in California Public Contract Code;
• Manage and direct the operations, services, and activities of the unit;
• Prepare comprehensive specifications, contracts, reports, and correspondence;
• Develop negotiation strategies and negotiate complex contracts and/or change orders;
• Define problems, evaluate, recommend and implement alternative solutions to complex issues and problems;
• Develop, implement, and interpret goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls;
• Interpret and effectively use management information reports;
• Select, supervise, train, motivate, assign, evaluate, counsel, and discipline staff;
• Understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Prepare and control a budget;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment. For sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety‑sensitive positions to have a 6‑month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA‑contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans With Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone] or email [e-mail] at least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.

Benefits

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTA's benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority

• Classic Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @55.
• New Members' retirement benefit formula is 2% @62.

All Classic AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non‑Rep employees hired on or after 01/09/2012 pay 7.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

All New/PEPRA AFSCME, SEIU, TAEA, and Non‑Rep employees pay 8.0% of salary toward the required employee contribution to PERS.

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employee's bi‑weekly salary.