Senior Director of Alternative Delivery

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The MBTA seeks a Senior Director for Alternative Delivery to lead a team of project managers in delivering major capital programs using CMAR and Design/Build under MGL 149A, with a proven record of on-time, on-budget delivery.

You will coordinate with Transit and Commuter Rail groups, manage stakeholder relationships with state and federal agencies, and ensure safety, accessibility, and sustainability across multiple facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum leadership experience delivering CMAR and Design/Build projects.
• Experience managing large public infrastructure programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of project managers and direct capital programs.
• Ensure on-schedule, on-budget delivery using CMAR and D/B.
• Collaborate with state/federal agencies and MBTA stakeholders.
• Develop budgets, schedules, and performance metrics.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & cost control

Project management

Communication

Decision making

Multi-tasking

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Architecture/Construction Management/Business Administration

Master’s degree preferred

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 Senior Director for Alternative Delivery will manage Senior Project Managers and Project Managers in the delivery of the Authority's major capital investment projects utilizing Alternative Project Delivery Methods under MGL 149A.

The Senior Director will support the vision of Deputy Chief for Alternative Delivery for the successful development and execution of projects that utilize alternative delivery methods as defined by MGL 149A. The Senior Director of Alternative Delivery will direct the efforts of MBTA engineering and construction professionals as well as outside consultants, to deliver multiple Transit, Bus and Commuter Rail related facilities projects. These Capital projects encompass transit stations, commuter rail stations, parking garages, bus facilities, vehicle/general maintenance facilities, and other facilities. This work will require close coordination with the Capital Delivery Transit and Commuter Rail groups as well as the Integrated Transit Program (ITP) group which manages the State of Good Repair and modernization program for heavy/light rail transit infrastructure which includes track, signal and traction power.

The Senior Director for Alternative Delivery is a strong, versatile leader who has demonstrated success managing capital projects of various sizes and complexity utilizing both Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) and Design/Build (D/B). The incumbent must have a depth of experience in capital program management, the effective leadership of complex organizations, preferably in the public sector, and the political and management acumen to operate at the senior levels of state government.

The Senior Director must be adept at solving complex technical, program, and management issues, and equally adept at obtaining internal and external stakeholder acceptance of project design and delivery decisions. She/He must be particularly skilled in developing an integrated management team and in working across departments to effectively support the delivery or projects while minimizing the impact on day-to-day operations of the system. The Senior Director for Alternative Delivery will set strategic priorities, develop performance goals and metrics, apply innovative design, construction, and program management methods, make decisions, and solve problems to deliver the MBTA's alternative delivery methods program.

Duties & Responsibilities

• The Senior Director for Alternative Delivery is the senior executive accountable for the on-schedule, on-budget delivery of the MBTA's capital program utilizing alternative methods as defined by MGL 149A.
• Develop a vision, performance goals and metrics, policies, and procedures to guide MBTA capital program delivery.
• Work in close collaboration with the Capital Delivery Transit and Commuter Rail delivery groups, Capital Contract Services Group, Operations Chief of Stations and Facilities, Integrated Track Program group, Engineering and Maintenance departments and other organizational elements of the MBTA to ensure cross-functional coordination of project activity with operational outcomes, day-to-day maintenance, finance, and administration requirements.
• Develop and maintain realistic program and project budgets, schedules and execution plans.
• Hire, direct, maintain, and lead a team of directors, project managers, project coordinators, resident engineers, inspectors, and other technical and administrative professionals who, collectively, procure, manage and/or oversee the efforts of third-party engineering, architectural, and construction firms providing design and construction services under contract with the MBTA.
• Ensure that project development, design, and construction activity is internally coordinated with operations and maintenance functions, and project management actions adhere to procurement and fiscal policy and practice.
• Collaborate with stakeholders including state and local elected officials, and federal and state regulatory agencies including the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) on planning and execution of assigned projects and the mitigation of associated issues.
• Prepare reports for and delivers presentations to MassDOT, the MBTA Board of Directors, elected officials, regulatory bodies, community groups, and the media on Transit projects including addressing issues of a potentially sensitive nature.
• Lead and manages a staff of whom most are members of bargaining units.
• Ensure staff and contractors respond to site emergencies twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, and coordinate recovery actions with MBTA operations.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and/or attend off-site meetings.

Supervision

• Directly supervise Project Managers of Alternative Delivery as well as Project managers for other groups within Capital Programs in the execution of projects using CMAR and D/B.
• Indirectly supervise Project Office staff that includes but is not limited to project controls, change management, office staff, and field staff.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or Business Administration or related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in a lead owner, design or construction role for building or infrastructure projects in the public and/or private sectors utilizing CMAR and D/B.
• Successful delivery of a minimum of four (4) projects -or- an aggregate total of $400M of projects utilizing CMAR in a leadership role.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a managerial, supervisory or leadership capacity successfully delivering large projects.
• Demonstrated success as the senior executive in charge of delivering a major capital program of works, preferably Transit facilities, Commuter Rail or multi-discipline infrastructure programs.
• Demonstrated success in developing realistic and attainable project budgets and schedules.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with local, state, and federal agencies and governance boards.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the application of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) as it pertains to the design and construction of Transit Facilities and/or similar projects.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of project delivery methods available for use by the MBTA.
• Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, multi-tasking, and time management skills
• Strong leadership qualities, including, communicating with customers, employees, vendors, contractors, designers, elected officials, community leaders, and state and federal officials.
• Proven ability to effectively respond to media inquiries.
• Solid presentation and conflict resolution skills.
• Proven track record of collaboration, transparency, and effective communication.
• Demonstrated ability to work horizontally and vertically across organizational boundaries to assist project managers in the resolution of variances in cost and schedule.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Respond, either directly or through subordinates to emergencies on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) seven day per week basis.

Substitutions

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

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Master’s degree in engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or Business Administration from an accredited institution.
• More than twelve (12) years of experience in a lead owner, design or construction role for building or infrastructure projects in the public and/or private sectors utilizing CMAR or D/B.
• Successful delivery of projects utilizing MGL 149A CMAR in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws concerning the delivery of public capital projects.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the Massachusetts State Building Code.
• Licensed registered professional engineer or architect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts