Senior Transit Network Design Lead

MBTA; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Project Manager, Better Bus Network at MBTA leads critical redesign work for the Better Bus Network, guiding design and engineering efforts, engaging municipalities, and securing approvals. The role oversees a broad portfolio of bus-related improvements, coordinating with Capital Delivery, Service Planning, Operations, and Safety.

Strong leadership, communication, and project-management capabilities are essential to deliver on-time, on-budget milestones and to promote safer, more

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, City and Regional Planning, Architecture, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience in the planning, design, and/or construction of infrastructure, roadway, or transit projects.
• Two (2) years of experience leading the activities of staff, consultants, or a cross-functional team.
• Strong communication, analytical, organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively, act with transparency, and apply sound problem-solving approaches.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, databases, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service, resolve conflicts, and communicate professionally with customers, employees, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce and foster positive working relationships.
• Ability to comprehend and respond to instructions, notices, and inquiries clearly and efficiently.
• Ability to participate in local boards, committees, or municipal meetings—often during evening hours—as needed.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively as part of a team, or in a supervisory capacity.
• Commitment to upholding the rights and interests of the MBTA while maintaining constructive relationships with colleagues and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptual design activities, advancing transit priority designs for bus lanes, busways, traffic signals, and changes to streets and intersections that put bus riders’ needs first and enable service changes.
• Manage design and engineering consultant contracts to ensure project and program requirements are fulfilled and that contract cost and schedule requirements are met.
• Lead the development of project scopes, budgets, and schedules as part of the capital planning process.
• Manage the procurement of consultants and contractors, as required.
• Negotiate project assignments, task orders, amendments, change orders, and make recommendations for approval.
• Coordinate project tasks with MBTA Capital Delivery Department colleagues, including contract administration, field staff, and other project coordinators, as required.
• Coordinate project activities with colleagues across the MBTA, including but not limited to Bus Operations, Systemwide Accessibility, Information Technology, and others.
• Manage reporting of activities in compliance with FTA/FHWA requirements.
• Manage coordination of activities with outside entities (e.g., institutions, residents, abutters) as required.
• Lead the approvals process, including but not limited to environmental permits and approvals, real estate actions, and other permits and approvals
• Lead the creation, negotiation, and execution of interagency and municipal agreements (e.g., MOUs) and other third-party agreements.
• Organize and prioritize workload and be proactive in identifying project needs/requirements. Prepare project-related correspondence, reports, charts, and presentations utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, Database, and PowerPoint.
• Prepare for and make project presentations to elected officials, community groups, and others as necessary.
• Work independently in addressing complex tasks in a time-sensitive environment. Follow up on actions required to complete tasks and projects, seeking guidance as needed.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker, in a courteous and professional manner consistent with the Authority's Customer Service quality standard.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Visit work sites and/or attend off-site meetings, occasionally outside of usual workdays and hours as necessary.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the Authority, including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Schedule management

Public outreach

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, City/Regional Planning, Architecture

Master's degree in Engineering or City and Regional Planning (preferred)

PE license (Civil or Traffic)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Databases

Job description

The Senior Project Manager, Better Bus Network at MBTA leads critical redesign work for the Better Bus Network, guiding design and engineering efforts, engaging municipalities, and securing approvals. The role oversees a broad portfolio of bus-related improvements, coordinating with Capital Delivery, Service Planning, Operations, and Safety.

Strong leadership, communication, and project-management capabilities are essential to deliver on-time, on-budget milestones and to promote safer, more