Director, Capital Programs (Green Line Transformation)

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

MBTA is seeking a Director of Capital Programs to provide strategic leadership over planning, development, design, procurement, delivery, and closeout of a portfolio of complex transit capital projects. You will improve safety, reliability, accessibility, and customer experience across the MBTA network.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage programs within budget and schedule, and ensure compliance with MBTA and regulatory standards while collaborating with executive leadership and

Qualifications

• Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams and executives.
• Experience managing large transit/rail capital programs.
• Ability to develop and monitor program goals and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio of complex capital projects from initiation through closeout.
• Develop strategic project delivery plans aligned with MBTA priorities.
• Establish performance measures and monitor portfolio performance.
• Direct resource allocation and workload planning across project teams.
• Oversee scopes, schedules, budgets, funding strategies, and delivery approaches.
• Ensure safety, schedule, budget, and quality compliance for projects.
• Lead project controls including cost, schedule, risk, and forecasting.
• Present status and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Portfolio management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Education

Master's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering or Construction Management

Professional certification: PE, CCM, PMP, DBIA or equivalent

Job description

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.

• 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.

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.

• A master's degree from an accredited institution in Civil/Structural Engineering or Construction Managementor 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.