Director, Capital Delivery Construction

Ocean State Job Lot; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job summary

Metra is seeking a Director, Capital Delivery Construction to oversee large-scale bridge, track, station, parking and yard facility projects. You will supervise staff across project phases, manage budgets, and ensure quality and regulatory compliance.

This role reports to the Senior Director, Engineering Capital Projects and requires extensive construction management expertise. The ideal candidate has a strong background in railway construction, project budgeting, scheduling, and leadership,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction, construction management, or a related field.
• Ten years of engineering or construction experience that includes project management.
• Five years of direct supervisory experience with day-to-day staff management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of engineering construction principles and practices.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and control costs.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff managing all stages of capital construction projects from pre-construction to closeout.
• Provide expert guidance and develop management reports on project status.
• Develop and review cost estimates, budgets, and cash flow.
• Oversee contracting processes, proposals, and purchase approvals.
• Ensure compliance with building codes, safety standards, and regulations.

Job description

Metra is America’s fourth busiest commuter rail system, providing essential transportation services to a community of over 9.4 million residents. As an organization of over 2,600 professionals, we are committed to safely and efficiently meeting the growing and changing transportation needs of the commuters and businesses we serve.
To meet those needs, Metra employs a diverse workforce in an environment that fosters creativity and drives innovation. We invite you to learn more about Metra and the many career opportunities we offer.

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Metra’s Capital Delivery Department is divided into seven sections: Stations and Parking Design, Civil/Structural Design, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Construction, NEPA, Project Management, and Project Controls. The Station and Parking Design manages the design of Metra’s station and parking capital projects. The Wayfinding and Signs team is a subgroup of Stations and Parking Design that manages wayfinding and sign projects related to Metra stations. The Civil/Structural Design manages the design of capital infrastructure projects including tracks, bridges, and yard facilities. Electrical/Mechanical manages traction power and mechanical capital projects. Construction manages the construction of capital projects. The NEPA team manages the environmental review and historic resources review processes for capital projects. The Project Management team leads various capital projects across the Capital Program. The Project Controls team continually improves the processes and systems that are used to manage capital projects.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Engineering Capital Projects, the Director, Capital Delivery Construction manages a team of professionals that oversee large-scale bridge, track, station, parking lot, and railroad yard facilities construction projects.

The primary duties include: Supervise staff that manage all stages of capital construction projects from pre-construction to project closeout, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and coordination with contractors and building officials. Provide expert guidance on complex projects and develop management reports detailing the status of all ongoing construction projects. Develop and assess contract modifications and change orders, create and review independent cost estimates, manage construction project budgets, monitor expenses, resolve payment application disputes, analyze financial reports, prepare cash flow spreadsheets, and ensure projects are completed within budget constraints. Draft requests for proposals or letters of interest and qualifications to hire construction management services professionals, issue task orders, evaluate and score proposals, oversee the contracting process, and approve requisitions. Oversee regulatory compliance with contract documents, building codes, zoning regulations, National Environmental Policy Act regulations, safety standards, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association guidelines, and other legal requirements. Facilitate acquisition of necessary building permits, Office of Underground Coordination approvals, and other regulatory clearances. Establish quality benchmarks for construction work, conduct periodic job site inspections to ensure compliance with contract specifications, Federal Transit Administration Guidelines, and industry best practices. Implement corrective actions as needed to maintain quality standards. Serve as subject -matter-expert advising the department on engineering and construction best practices. Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives. Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures. Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures. Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations. Works under both inside and outside environmental conditions under prevailing conditions of heat, cold, rain, and snow. Position is required to visit ongoing construction project sites throughout Metra's 6-county region. May also need to travel outside the region to participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) or job-related seminars. Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction, construction management, or a related field OR in lieu of the specified degree, a combination of education and experience may be substituted that equals four years in engineering, construction, or construction management.
• In addition to #1 above, must have ten years of engineering or construction experience that includes project management.
• Must have five years of direct supervisory experience that includes day-to-day employee management, assigning tasks, providing guidance and training, monitoring performance, conflict management, budgeting, hiring, disciplinary and/or termination.
• Comprehensive knowledge of engineering construction principles, methods, and practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of materials, techniques, and components of structures within railroad systems.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of project budgeting, scheduling, and management.
• Considerable knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Intermediate skills using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to direct the management of multiple complex projects.
• Ability to control project costs, schedules, and quality.
• Ability to establish processes and procedures that improve efficiencies.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra’s 6-county region.
• Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Preferred:

• Experience in the railroad industry.
• Certification in Project Management.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License is preferred.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.
Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

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