Senior Project Manager

Caltrain; Millbrae (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Caltrain is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead rail capital projects from planning through closeout. You will manage scope, schedule, and budget while coordinating internal teams, consultants, and regulators to deliver on-time, on-budget outcomes.

The role requires broad life-cycle leadership, strong stakeholder communication, and the ability to report to executive leadership on project performance and risks. A PE license and rail delivery experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management is required.
• Minimally five years’ full-time experience in project management of Rail or Transit Capital Projects.
• Certified Project Manager (PM) certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage scope, schedule, and budget of Caltrain capital projects.
• Provide full life-cycle leadership from planning to closeout.
• Coordinate resources across departments, consultants, and regulators.
• Ensure safety and compliance with Caltrain standards.
• Provide board/executive level reporting on project status and risks.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Stakeholder comms

Risk management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management

PM Certification

Tools

MS Project

Schedule/Cost tools

Job description

General

The Senior Project Manager reports to the Director, Capital Program Delivery Infrastructure, and is responsible for developing, managing, and delivering of rail capital projects from capital planning, design, construction, and close out phases for the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain).

Essential Functions & Duties

• Develop and manage the scope, schedule, and budget of Caltrain capital projects ensuring alignment with organizational goals and project objectives.
• Provide full life-cycle leadership from project execution planning, design, procurement, construction, systems integration, commissioning, and final closeout.
• Develop and maintain the project execution plan or/and project management plan PMP and support execution strategies to effective governance, risk mitigation, quality control and successful project delivery.
• Manage and coordinate all resources necessary to deliver assigned projects, including cross function departments within Rail and external consultants, Resident Engineer, Construction Management Staff, contractors, third parties and regulatory agencies throughout the project
• Ensure Safety First and Always Core Value is implemented through life cycle of project delivery.
• Work closely with the assigned project engineer(s) to ensure that all deliverables are compliant with Caltrain standards.
• Acts as the Point of Contact with internal and external stakeholders for assigned projects. Manage coordination and communications with all involved parties, including other agencies, third parties and tenant railroads
• Provide board and executive level reporting on project status, performance metrics and critical risks.
• Manage the Designer of Record and Construction Contractor to ensure delivery of the assigned projects.
• Oversee Project contract administration, change management and claim avoidance to protect Caltrain’s interest.
• Investigate, negotiate, and resolve project issues. Identify the root cause of problems and present appropriate solutions. Escalate issues to the Delivery Directors accordingly to ensure timely resolutions.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Hold project meetings and represent assigned Caltrain projects at meetings, including monthly internal project reviews.
• Identify project delivery risks and develop risk mitigations and actions. Maintain and update project Risk Register.
• Perform the following project management duties; develop the scope of work, prepare and review cost estimates; monitor and produce status reports, schedules, and budgets; monitor work in progress; approve, negotiate, and execute, funding agreements and consultant contracts, authorizing contract payments per contract.
• Prepare staff reports and presentations for Management, the Board of Directors, and other stakeholders on assigned projects.
• Develop and maintain detail project staffing plans and project organization chart.
• Perform regular project budget, cost, schedule and funding reviews.
• Approval and issuance of project work directive and invoices.
• Develop and maintain project roles and responsivities matrix.
• Perform assessment of project delivery method.
• Be responsible for Project alternative study and Value Engineering effort.
• Negotiate, resolve or escape project issues for timely resolution.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to represent Caltrain for assigned projects.
• Perform all job duties and responsibilities safely to protect oneself, fellow employees, and the public from injury or harm. Promote safety awareness and follow safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or construction management or equivalent
• Minimally five years’ full-time experience in project management of Rail or Transit Capital Projects
• Certified Project Manager Certificate

Preferred Qualifications

• California Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.
• Experience in Rail Transportation or Construction Management.
• Experience in Delivery Capital Project in an operating environment.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Possess a California driver's license with a safe driving record.

The selection process may include a panel interview, written and skills test assessments, or supplemental questions. Only those candidates who are the most qualified will continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to continue in the process.

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