Transit & Rail Program Director: Research Leadership

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Town of Johnstown (NY); Hybrid; USD 127,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Transportation subsidies

Education assistance

Job summary

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine seeks a Program Director - Transit and Rail for the Cooperative Research Program to lead a senior team and deliver a broad portfolio of transportation research. You will oversee multiple projects, manage staff, and ensure rigorous, timely results aligned with division priorities.

You will work with sponsors, volunteers, and Trustees to advance research agendas, produce executive summaries, and guide program execution and governance

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to transportation, public policy, or research management, or a master’s/bachelor’s with substantial leadership experience.
• Ten years of related professional experience, including five in a supervisory role.
• Experience managing applied research projects or programs and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for a diverse portfolio of transportation research projects.
• Supervise 5–6 professional staff and manage priorities across the team.
• Translate priorities into integrated work plans and ensure governance compliance.
• Engage sponsors and volunteers, lead briefings, and resolve issues within delegated authority.
• Prepare executive materials and collaborate across CRP and TRB units.

Skills

Leadership

Portfolio management

Staff supervision

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Governance

Education

Ph.D. in transportation/public policy or related field

Master’s or bachelor’s with significant leadership/experience

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Asana

Job description

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine seeks a Program Director - Transit and Rail for the Cooperative Research Program to lead a senior team and deliver a broad portfolio of transportation research. You will oversee multiple projects, manage staff, and ensure rigorous, timely results aligned with division priorities.

You will work with sponsors, volunteers, and Trustees to advance research agendas, produce executive summaries, and guide program execution and governance