Director, Capital Programs (Green Line Transformation)

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The MBTA seeks a Director of Capital Programs to provide strategic leadership for a portfolio of complex transit capital projects, ensuring safety, on-time delivery, and value across the MBTA network.

The role leads multidisciplinary teams, coordinates with executives and operating departments, and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations while advancing long-range capital initiatives and the MBTA Capital Investment Plan.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Urban Planning or related field.
• 7+ years managing large, complex capital/transit projects.
• 5+ years of supervisory leadership overseeing professional staff and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent capital infrastructure projects: scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk.
• Experience with consultant/contractor performance, procurement, contract administration and project controls.
• Strong understanding of capital project delivery methodologies and lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of FTA, FRA, MBTA, MassDOT and applicable regulations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, forecasting and analytical abilities.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across technical and operational areas.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Ability to work 24/7 as required by assignment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of complex capital projects from initiation through closeout.
• Develop strategic delivery plans aligned with MBTA investment priorities.
• Establish performance measures and monitor portfolio performance.
• Direct resource allocation and workload planning across teams.
• Oversee scoping, scheduling, budgeting, funding strategies, and delivery approaches.
• Ensure projects meet safety, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Oversee project controls including cost, schedule, forecasting, risk, and reporting.
• Provide executive updates on status, risks, and funding needs.
• Coordinate with multiple departments and stakeholders for project readiness.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Negotiation

Communication

Team leadership

Contract administration

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Architecture/Construction Management/Urban Planning or related

Tools

MS Project

Cost controls

Job description

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Director of Capital Programs provides strategic leadership over the planning, development, design, procurement, delivery, and closeout of a portfolio of complex transit capital projects supporting the MBTA's Capital Program.
The Director is responsible for delivering capital investments that improve safety, reliability, accessibility, state of good repair, resiliency, customer experience, and operational performance across the MBTA network.
The Director provides leadership to multidisciplinary project teams and consultants while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with MBTA standards, FTA requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations. This position establishes program priorities, manages organizational performance, oversees project governance, and collaborates with executive leadership and operating departments to advance strategic capital initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of complex, multi-disciplinary capital projects from project initiation through design, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Develop and implement strategic project delivery plans that align with MBTA capital investment priorities and organizational objectives.
• Establish program goals, performance measures, and key performance indicators to monitor portfolio performance.
• Direct organizational priorities, resource allocation, and workload planning across multiple project teams.
• Oversee development of project scopes, schedules, budgets, funding strategies, and delivery approaches.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.
• Oversee project controls, including cost management, schedule performance, forecasting, risk management, and reporting.
• Lead reviews of project performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Ensure project readiness prior to procurement, including environmental approvals, permitting, utilities, real estate actions, stakeholder coordination, and funding authorization.
• Support development of the MBTA Capital Investment Plan through long-range planning and prioritization of project specific capital initiatives.
• Provide oversight of consultant procurement, contract negotiations, amendments, change orders, and claims resolution.
• Ensure compliance with MBTA policies, FTA requirements, federal and state regulations, and applicable industry standards.
• Serve as executive liaison with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Project Controls, Capital Planning, Capital Delivery, Procurement, Legal, Finance, municipalities, utilities, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Present project status, risks, funding needs, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Foster collaborative partnerships across departments to support successful project delivery.
• Direct, mentor, and develop Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Project Coordinators.
• Establish performance expectations and provide coaching, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead organizational change initiatives that improve project delivery processes and operational efficiency.
• Identify program-level risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Review and approve major project decisions, procurement strategies, funding recommendations, and project execution plans.
• Monitor consultant and contractor performance to ensure contractual compliance and successful project outcomes.
• Respond to emergencies, support MBTA emergency operations and on-call responsibilities as required.
• Drive a company or person vehicle to visit work sites to assist at emergencies, service disruptions, and / or other events as needed.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include focusing on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Supervision

• Will oversee direct reports and indirectly oversee consultants, contractors, and other MBTA staff.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Urban Planning or closely related discipline.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience managing large, complex capital/transit (design and / or construction) projects or related experience.
• Five (5) years of supervisory leadership experience managing professional staff and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent capital infrastructure projects with responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk.
• Experience overseeing consultant and contractor performance, procurement, contract administration, and project controls.
• Strong understanding of capital project delivery methodologies and lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of FTA, FRA, MBTA, MassDOT, and applicable federal and state regulations governing public infrastructure projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across technical and operational organizations.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Ability to work twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week based on assignment.

Substitutions

• A master’s degree in a related subject substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes one year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution in Civil/Structural Engineering or Construction Management or related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in the management of railroad or transit projects (design and/or construction) or related experience in a supervisory capacity.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE), CCM, PMP, DBIA, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience delivering major transit or railroad capital programs.
• Experience utilizing alternative project delivery methods including CM/GC, Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, or Construction Manager at Risk.
• Experience managing federally funded capital projects.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership, governing boards, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Experience leading organizational transformation and process improvement initiatives.

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers And Definitions

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one‑time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [e-mail] .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.