Hybrid Rail & Transit Program Lead (CM/CI)

RK&K; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Hybrid work

Tuition reimbursement

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) matching

Paid holidays

Job summary

RK&K is seeking a Program Lead - CM/CI to drive execution of large-scale rail and transit capital programs across the Mid-Atlantic. This executive role requires deep public sector experience and a track record leading CM/CI teams through complex, multi-project delivery.

You will engage with transit agencies, freight railroads, funding partners, and stakeholders to ensure on-time delivery, strong risk management, and robust quality assurance across programs.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in rail and transit construction management with 10+ years in leadership positions overseeing large multi-project programs.
• Experience managing megaprojects ($500M+) or major transit expansion programs.
• Strong public agency background, preferably in a senior leadership role at a major transit agency, rail authority, or DOT.
• Deep expertise with federally funded transit projects, including FTA/FRA requirements, grant funding, and procurement regulations.
• Proven success in managing construction contractors, negotiating complex change orders, and resolving high-stakes claims.
• Strong relationships with Mid-Atlantic transit agencies (e.g., WMATA, MTA Maryland, VRE, DRPT, Amtrak, MARTA, Septa) or freight railroads.
• Proficiency with CM/CI program control software (e.g., Primavera P6, Procore, e-Builder, ProjectWise).
• Excellent executive communication skills, with experience presenting to boards, officials, and funding partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide program-level leadership for multimillion-dollar rail and transit capital projects.
• Serve as primary client interface, navigating complexity, stakeholder engagement, and funding compliance.
• Oversee multiple CM/CI teams delivering rail alignments, transit centers, BRT corridors, and facilities.
• Lead contract administration, including oversight of DBE participation, risk management, and contractor performance.
• Manage program-wide risk assessments and proactively resolve claims, schedule delays, and change orders.
• Ensure FTA/FRA/DOT compliance on federally funded projects, including reporting for CIG, New Starts, and Small Starts.
• Coordinate across agencies, railroads, and municipalities to advance project approvals.
• Develop staffing strategies for large CM/CI programs and mentor senior staff.
• Provide executive-level reporting on budgets, milestones, and KPIs.

Skills

Leadership

Executive communication

Public sector experience

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Mentoring staff

Contract administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field

PMP, CCM, DBIA, or PE license (VA/MD/DC)

Tools

Primavera P6

Procore

e-Builder

ProjectWise

Job description

RK&K is seeking a Program Lead - CM/CI to drive execution of large-scale rail and transit capital programs across the Mid-Atlantic. This executive role requires deep public sector experience and a track record leading CM/CI teams through complex, multi-project delivery.

You will engage with transit agencies, freight railroads, funding partners, and stakeholders to ensure on-time delivery, strong risk management, and robust quality assurance across programs.