Rail & Transit Program Director: Strategic Leader

AECOM; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 250,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM seeks a Program Director – Rail and Transit to lead large-scale rail and transit programs in the United States. You will oversee strategy, governance, delivery, and outcomes, aligning with client objectives and regulatory standards.

You will drive safety, digital innovation, and asset performance while managing budgets, schedules, risk, and stakeholder engagement across multidisciplinary teams. This role may require relocation to a major program location.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Program Management, Transportation, Business, or a related field.
• Typically 20+ years of experience in infrastructure delivery, including significant leadership on major rail or transportation programs.
• Professional certification such as PgMP, PMP, APM RPP, CCM, or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for major rail and transit programs, ensuring objectives are met.
• Establish an integrated program management framework covering engineering, construction, systems, testing and commissioning, and operations.
• Define delivery strategies, governance structures, and performance objectives for long-term network benefits.
• Lead program mobilization activities and ensure the organization, systems, resources, and leadership structures are in place.
• Oversee integration across rail disciplines (track, signaling, traction power, stations, rolling stock).
• Manage stakeholder relationships with regulators, operators, funding bodies, and community groups.

Skills

Executive leadership

Rail systems knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Program governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/related field

Tools

PgMP

PMP

APM RPP

CCM

Job description

AECOM seeks a Program Director – Rail and Transit to lead large-scale rail and transit programs in the United States. You will oversee strategy, governance, delivery, and outcomes, aligning with client objectives and regulatory standards.

You will drive safety, digital innovation, and asset performance while managing budgets, schedules, risk, and stakeholder engagement across multidisciplinary teams. This role may require relocation to a major program location.