Director of Dispatching

Canadian Pacific Railway; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$10,000 signing bonus

Job summary

Canadian Pacific Railway is seeking a Director of Dispatching in Kansas City, MO to lead the Dispatching team and drive safety, on-time performance and operational efficiency across major routes.

You will oversee daily operating plans, coordinate with crews and carriers, and ensure compliance with rules and company standards. The role demands strategic leadership, robust incident management, and a focus on continuous improvement within a critical rail network.

Qualifications

• 5 years of railway experience and/or strong transportation industry knowledge.
• 2 years' experience in a Railway Dispatching Center.
• Ability to cope with stress and perform in emergent situations.
• Strong leadership skills, able to engage unionized staff and influence leaders.

Responsibilities

• Meet monthly and annual safety objectives.
• Conduct safety discussions, audits, and rules review sessions.
• Maintain qualifications for GCOR, OTS, HazMat, etc.
• Execute and monitor the operating plan and train performance.
• Plan and coordinate with third-party carriers and oversee multi-system operations.

Skills

Leadership

Stress management

Communication

Decision making

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Director of Dispatching-$10,000 Signing Bonus Job Description Job Alerts Link Director of Dispatching-$10,000 Signing Bonus

Join CPKC, North America’s first transnational railroad connecting U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where your career drives progress and safety is paramount. We connect communities, fuel economic growth, and provide meaningful work in a culture that values diversity, accountability, and pride. With opportunities for training, development, and advancement, you’re not just building a career—you’re part of something bigger. Together, we move goods, connect people, and create lasting change. Your future starts here.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Director, Dispatching provides leadership, mentorship and supports safety to a team of Train Dispatchers. You will be responsible for all operational related matters pertaining to the execution of the “Daily” Operating Plan within their assigned territories, including any bulk train slotting. This role requires display of leadership accountability for inputs and outputs of safety, service, productivity and financial metrics; and be accountable for execution of on-time and full duration Engineering Services work blocks.

$10,000 Signing Bonus

$5,000 Upon Hire

$5,000 after 1 year of service

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Meet monthly and annual safety objectives.
• Conduct safety discussions, audits, and rules review sessions.
• Maintain qualifications for all applicable rules and standards (GCOR, OTS, HazMat, etc.).
• Complete required quizzes and training with high accuracy.
• Execute and monitor the operating plan and train performance.
• Validate power plans and coordinate with third-party carriers.
• Track and document delays, variances, and performance issues in NEXUS.
• Ensure timely completion of over-the-road work events.
• Promptly report and document incidents with accurate details.
• Manage emergency response processes and recovery plans.
• Complete derailment checklists and crew interviews within required timelines.
• Monitor crew lineup and escalating manpower concerns.
• Ensure compliance with collective agreements and operational guidelines.
• Execute daily work block plans for major projects and maintenance.
• Plan ahead, address exceptions, and communicate contingencies.
• Oversee accuracy and safe operations across multiple systems (NEXUS, TRAM, CTC, CMA, Crew Balancer).
• Manage locomotive failures including lifting Bad Order locomotives and develop contingency plans.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Graduation or General Equivalency required
• 5 years of railway experience and/or strong transportation industry-based knowledge
• 2 years' experience in a Railway Dispatching Center
• Ability to cope with stress, and continue to deal effectively in emergent situations
• Strong leadership skills, able to engage unionized staff as well as influence leaders

WHAT CPKC HAS TO OFFER:

• Flexible and competitive benefits package
• Competitive company pension and/or retirement plans
• Employee share purchase plan
• Performance incentive plan
• Annual fitness subsidy
• Part-time studies program

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Medical and Drug Testing

This is a safety critical position and a successful pre-employment medical assessment including physical, vision, hearing, and a negative company or regulated drug test is required. Post hire qualification drug testing may also be required.

Background Investigation

• Criminal history check
• Education verification
• Professional references
• Social Security Number verification
• Department of Transportation Background Check 40.25 Form

BECOMING A RAILROADER:

As an employee with a North American presence, the possibility does exist that the location of your position may be changed based on organizational requirements.

Management Conductor Program

Becoming a qualified conductor or locomotive engineer is the single best way for a management employee to learn the business at CPKC. You may be required to obtain a certification or to maintain your current certification/qualification as a conductor or locomotive engineer.

CULTURE OF INCLUSION:

For our U.S. applicants, CPKC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, inclusive of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For Canadian applicants CPKC is an employment equity employer committed to the principles of employment equity and inclusion. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply including: women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities. Accommodations for the job application process can be provided, as appropriate, upon request. All applicant information will be managed in accordance with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

• Req ID: 106244
• Department: Network Operations
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Position Type: Non-Union
• Location: Kansas City, Missouri
• Country: United States
• % of Travel: 0-10%
• # of Positions: 1
• Job Grade: 3
• Job Available to: Internal & External