CTA Oversight Project Manager

GFT; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 146,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) savings plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT is seeking a CTA Oversight Project Manager to lead transit projects in the Chicago area, with hybrid work requiring onsite attendance at the client in downtown Chicago on Tue–Thu. The role focuses on managing scopes, schedules, budgets, and quality across multiple disciplines within the transit and rail sector.

Responsibilities include coordinating with departments, developing task orders, procurement support, contract advisory, and program-level deliverables.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, business or related field.
• PMP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist the client in management of assigned engineering and construction projects from inception through completion, including planning, design, procurement, construction, and closeout with a focus on scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality.
• Work with multiple disciplines and departments to effectively capture and document project scope.
• Develop consultant task orders for design and construction management services.
• Provide procurement support and development of front-end contractor documents as required.
• Advise management of various contracts using project data, lessons learned from other projects, and industry experience/best practice.
• Drive program-level support deliverables and initiatives.
• Monitor deliverables, schedules, and cost versus contract requirements.
• Review design and construction claims and changes for validity to scope and cost.
• Lead improvement and standardization efforts of engineering and construction management task orders and blanket contracts.
• Participate in various construction and capital program delivery enhancement efforts.
• Coordinate across multiple departments and disciplines.
• Facilitate meetings with multiple user groups and technical leads throughout project lifecycles and program enhancement initiatives to ensure value add work-products and capture/incorporate lessons learned for continual process improvement.
• Complete all required work product meeting the client’s ISO 9001 quality procedures, identifying any areas where deviations may need to be requested due to delivery schedule or method.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Public transit knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

PMP certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Bluebeam

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is looking for a

This is a hybrid role requiring onsite attendance at the client in downtown Chicago on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Working with the

What You Will Do

GFT is looking for a CTA Oversight Project Manager in the Chicago area. This is a hybrid role requiring onsite attendance at the client in downtown Chicago on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Working with the transit & rail team at GFT means shaping the future of transportation, delivering projects that improve operations, capacity, and safety for our clients. Specializing in large-scale intermodal facilities, capacity improvements, commuter projects, and industrial developments, our experts combine deep technical knowledge with creative thinking to provide innovative solutions for complex problems. Together, we're transforming rail networks across North America and optimizing how goods and people reach their destinations.

What You’ll Be Challenged To Do

The transit oversight manager will be responsible for assisting in managing the delivery of various transit projects including stations, track, and systems. This role involves collaborating with others to manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets based on established contracts and task orders. The work requires a blend of technical knowledge, project management skills, and communications. Additional skills that are preferable include an overall knowledge of public sector project lifecycles, risk identification and management, and integration of quality procedures. This role works closely with multiple departments and various personnel within the agency and requires the ability to communicate clearly and effectively on complex issues.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Assist the client in management of assigned engineering and construction projects from inception through completion, including planning, design, procurement, construction, and closeout with a focus on scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality.
• Work with multiple disciplines and department to effectively capture and document project scope.
• Develop consultant task orders for design and construction management services.
• Provide procurement support and development of front-end contractor documents as required.
• Advise management of various contracts using project data, lessons learned from other projects, and industry experience/best practice.
• Drive program-level support deliverables and initiatives.
• Monitor deliverables, schedules, and cost versus contract requirements.
• Review design and construction claims and changes for validity to scope and cost.
• Lead improvement and standardization efforts of engineering and construction management task orders and blanket contracts.
• Participate in various construction and capital program delivery enhancement efforts.
• Coordinate across multiple departments and disciplines.
• Facilitate meetings with multiple user groups and technical leads throughout project lifecycles and program enhancement initiatives to ensure value add work-products and capture/incorporate lessons learned for continual process improvement.
• Complete all required work product meeting the client’s ISO 9001 quality procedures, identifying any areas where deviations may need to be requested due to delivery schedule or method.

Education | Experience:

What You’ll Bring To Our Firm

• Bachelor’s degree Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Buisness or a related field. PMP certification preferred.
• 10 years of experience managing delivery of projects in the transit industry.
• Knowledge of typical infrastructure project lifecycles for traditional and alternative project delivery methods.
• Excellent interpersonal, time management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently assess workload requirements and prioritize needs based on funding deadlines or other client considerations.
• Ability to lead meetings and groups to develop consensus on program or project goals, objectives, and scope.
• Capacity to coordinate and manage tracking systems for design and construction activities.
• Excellent working knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $145,600 - $176,800. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more. Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law. Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT. GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Chicago Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Employment Status: Full-Time Salary: $145,600- $176,800