Construction Program Manager

New Jersey Transit Corporation; New Jersey; On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Tuition Assistance

Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits

Retirement Plans

401(k) match

457(b)

Job summary

New Jersey Transit Corporation in New Jersey seeks a Construction Program Manager to lead complex capital rail and bus projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams to deliver safely, on schedule, and within budget. You will oversee the full construction lifecycle from design review to closeout and ensure robust controls and collaboration across disciplines.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in a related field with 8+ years in construction management (15+ preferred), plus strong knowledge of project

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering/Management or related field.
• 8+ years in construction management; 15+ preferred total construction experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams including Senior Construction Managers and Residents Engineers.
• Oversee the full construction lifecycle from design through closeout.
• Guide project controls: schedule, cost forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor progress, resolve field challenges, ensure safety, quality, and contract compliance.
• Coordinate with design teams, contractors, operations staff, and rail agencies on program delivery.
• Review estimates, specifications, and bid packages; participate in pre-bid activities.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Communication

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Eng/Management

PE or RA desirable

PMP preferred

Tools

MS Office

Primavera

eBuilder

Procore

Job description

• The Construction Program Manager (CPM) leads the delivery of complex capital construction projects in the Rail and Bus operating environments. Provides strategic oversight and collaboration, ensuring that construction projects are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Works closely with engineering, operations, contractors, consultants and leadership to advance critical infrastructure initiatives that support agency-wide mobility and modernization goals.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams including Senior Construction Managers, Construction Managers, Resident Engineers, consultants, and contractors responsible for executing capital program work.
• Oversee the full construction lifecycle, from conceptual design review and constructability analysis through construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Guide project controls activities, including schedule development, cost forecasting, budget management, financial reporting, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor construction work progress, resolve field challenges, and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and contract requirements.
• Drive resolution of technical issues and scheduling conflicts while coordinating closely with design teams, contractors, operations staff, and rail agencies.
• Review and validate project estimates, technical specifications, and bid packages; actively participate in pre-bid conferences and procurement activities.
• Serve on Technical Evaluation Committees for consultant and engineering selections and provide recommendations on scope development, solicitations, and contract awards.
• Evaluate schedule impacts, lead claim and dispute resolution, and ensure timely communication of issues affecting program delivery.
• Coordinate outage planning, force account scheduling, and service-impact assessments with internal departments and external partners.
• Maintain performance accountability for project budgets and ensure financial integrity across assigned capital programs.
• Navigate active construction sites and work collaboratively with field personnel, contractors, and operations teams.
• This position supervises: Construction Manager; Senior Construction Manager; Resident Engineer

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering/Management, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), Architecture, or a related technical field.
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in construction management; 15+ years of total construction experience preferred.
• Must be able to evaluate and coordinate Amtrak requirements related to construction activities, outages, and force account scheduling.
• Prior experience delivering projects in active rail or transit environments strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Demonstrated experience leading capital construction, infrastructure, or facility improvement projects, particularly in rail or bus operating environments.
• Strong command of project management methodologies, contract administration, schedule development, and cost control.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and project management/financial management software;
• Knowledge of Primavera, eBuilder, Procore, or similar platforms is desirable.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder coordination skills.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) license desirable.
• PMP certification preferred.

At NJ TRANSIT, you will enjoy a competitive salary and excellent benefits package:

• Comprehensive Family Health Insurance – Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits Plan
• Retirement Plans
• 401(a) - Retirement plan with a 6% employer contribution
• 401(k) - Retirement saving plan with up to a 3% company match
• 457(b) - Deferred Savings Plan

NJ TRANSIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Learn more about NJ TRANSIT! Sign up to receive an invitation to our next live information session at WWW.NJTRANSIT.COM/BEST