Associate Director Project Management (Rail & Transit)

About us

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail – the owner and operator of Britain’s mainline rail system. We have been active in the North American, Australian and the Middle East markets since 2013 and have successfully delivered more than 150 consultancy contracts for government, public and privately owned organizations.

Through our consulting services in the United States (US), we are assisting both public agencies and private clients in the transportation sector to accelerate transformation efforts, make step-changes in major program delivery, and achieve leaps forward in areas such as asset management & maintenance, major projects, railway operations, strategic planning and advisory.

Our work is driven forward by our values: passion, agility, collaboration, and impartiality.

The Opportunity with NRC

We are seeking a Rail Transportation / Major Projects professional to join our team as Associate Director, Project and Program Management, based out of Boston. You will be supporting our clients with the development of complex, transformational railroad programs.

Acting as a key member of the team, you will provide client-side support to the development, planning and integration of large-scale programs, include deployment of new infrastructure, new rolling stock and new operating procedures.

This role provides an exciting opportunity to be part of a team providing client-side support to define, develop and deliver significant, once-in-a-generation levels of investment which provide step-changes in railroad customer experience, service, and emission reductions.

Specifically, the successful candidate will support the development of a ‘best for program’ approach to systems integration, scope sequencing, and risk management. This will require working with key stakeholders to introduce innovative technologies to support clients in meeting ridership and decarbonization goals.

The candidate will also support the development of strategic approaches to resourcing, stakeholder management, toolsets, processes, and team coordination.

The role also includes management of consultant team resources to achieve cost, time, and quality objectives in order to meet and exceed client expectations.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop a working approach for systems integration, including roles, responsibilities, governance procedures, an integrated program and risk log.
• Develop and maintain holistic program strategies, schedules, and risk management on behalf of the client.
• Maintain and monitor team resource plans, project schedules, revenue hours, and deliverables, on behalf of the project director.
• Coordinate Subject Matter Expert (SME) activities across the integrated project team.
• Identify, track, and resolve interface management and coordination issues, including relationship building with relevant stakeholders.
• Support and participate in a variety of internal and external stakeholder meetings, on behalf of the client and/or project director.
• Act as the primary lead / manager for the system integration schedule, facilitate timely information exchange to mitigate risks accordingly.
• Develop the approach to knowledge capture, lessons learned and continuous improvement, on behalf of the client, for adoption in later program phases.
• Oversee project administration resources, to create and maintain a systematic and visible approach to tracking internal and external actions, activities, and relevant deliverables, and follow-up / escalate where necessary.

Job Skills, Experience, & Qualifications

• Significant experience working in a railroad program management environment.
• Experience in all stages of the project life cycle – initiation, planning, design, construction, testing and commissioning, and close-out.
• Exposure to Project planning / development / delivery from a client perspective.
• Experience of project development and delivery toolsets, including project stage gates, engineering life cycles, and readiness assessments.
• Strong time management and organization skills.
• Experience of managing deliverables to align with contractual requirements.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to summarize complex issues and modify messaging to account for varied audiences.
• Adept at creative problem solving while effectively accounting for both upstream and downstream impacts.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes, timescales, and strategies.
• Experience in railroad systems, specifically electrification.
• Knowledge of international railroads and infrastructure projects.
• PMP or equivalent certification.

For the right person, this role presents a fantastic opportunity to develop their career, joining an established and passionate team, with ambitious plans to grow.

We offer benefits such as:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Healthcare insurance premiums (100% paid for by us)
• Generous vacation leave entitlement (25 days)
• 401K with employer matching contributions
• Access to Employee Discount Program via LifeMart

NRC supports flexible working practices, and we understand that life balance is an important part of our employees' lives. We offer a wide range of flexible work/life balance options such as hybrid (home/office) working, flexible working hours where appropriate.

Apply

Sound interesting? Apply to this vacancy today and our Talent Acquisition team will review your application in due course.

NRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.