Senior Rail & Transit Programs Director

AECOM; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Program Director – Rail and Transit to lead the executive strategy, governance, and delivery of large rail and transit programs. You will align engineering, systems, construction, and commercial teams to achieve safety, schedule, and budget objectives.

You will establish a delivery framework, manage stakeholder engagement with regulators and clients, and drive innovation across digital delivery, BIM and data analytics while mentoring senior leaders for succession planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Program Management, Transportation, Business, or a related field.
• 20+ years of infrastructure delivery experience with leadership on major rail/transit programs.
• Proven track record leading multi-stakeholder, multi‑billion‑dollar projects.
• Deep understanding of rail systems, regulatory environments, and operational requirements.
• Professional certifications such as PgMP, PMP, APM RPP, CCM, or equivalent preferred.
• Chartered Engineer or Professional Engineer registration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for major rail programs.
• Establish an integrated program management framework across disciplines.
• Define delivery strategies, governance and performance objectives.
• Lead program mobilization activities for successful execution.
• Oversee cross-disciplinary rail integration including track, signaling, power, stations.
• Ensure interfaces among contractors, operators, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Guide testing, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.
• Drive asset management, reliability and maintainability requirements.
• Build relationships with senior client executives and regulators.
• Oversee program budgets, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Direct commercial negotiations and major delivery arrangements.
• Champion innovation, BIM, digital delivery, data analytics.
• Mentor senior program leaders and support succession planning.
• Contribute to pursuit strategies and market growth in rail portfolios.
• Ensure safety culture and compliance with rail standards.

Skills

Executive leadership

Rail systems

Stakeholder mgmt

Regulatory compliance

Safety leadership

Commercial management

Pursuit strategies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Program Management, Transportation, Business, or a related field

Professional certifications such as PgMP, PMP, APM RPP, CCM, or equivalent preferred

Job description

AECOM is seeking a Program Director – Rail and Transit to lead the executive strategy, governance, and delivery of large rail and transit programs. You will align engineering, systems, construction, and commercial teams to achieve safety, schedule, and budget objectives.

You will establish a delivery framework, manage stakeholder engagement with regulators and clients, and drive innovation across digital delivery, BIM and data analytics while mentoring senior leaders for succession planning.