Senior Project Manager, Rail Capital Project Oversight

Location: Chicago
Posted on: June 23, 2025

Job Description:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Coordinates and manages strategic oversight for capital construction and maintenance projects. Reviews progress, work methods, and compliance with contract specifications and related documents, safety regulations, and regulatory agency requirements. Coordinates plans for substitute passenger service where necessary. Works with management on the design input for all capital facility and power and way projects to ensure a workable and useable project that is also buildable with minimum impact on daily operations. Implements plans for the phasing of construction to minimize impact to revenue bus and train service and passenger flow through stations and terminals. Coordinates motion picture production activity to promote company image. Prepares rail service bulletins. Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews work plan for assigned staff. Assigns work activities, projects, and programs. Reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures. Meets with staff regularly to identify and resolve problems and issues. Serves as liaison with various departments and external groups in regards to capital projects and provides subject matter expertise. Acts as liaison between Capital Improvement Program Management, Engineering, Project Management Organization, Facilities Maintenance, Power & Way, Customer Information, Publications, Schedules, Construction groups and Transit Operations. Coordinates the timely, proper notification to employees and customers in advance of construction and maintenance projects that will result in a suspension, alteration or substitution of normal service. Represents the Authority, the division, and department in external relations to community organizations, governmental bodies and other transit properties. Meets with outside consultants, vendors, and contractors Provides support in oversight of operational activities and staff development. Assists in investigating incidents and makes recommendations for improved performance as it relates to customer service, vehicle operations and communication. Provides operational support during special events and emergency situations that require service alteration. Provides senior management with creative solutions in the areas of policy and process improvement. Identifies internal and external best practices and applies them to Authority operations. Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval. Performs related duties as assigned. MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting to this position are the following jobs: Job Title Rail Capital Oversight Project Manager Project Specialist II, Rail Operations CHALLENGES Maintaining transit service while the infrastructure is improved to “state of good repair” standards, including facility modernization and infrastructure renewal. Keeping abreast of Authority standards and industry best practices in ensuring facilities are kept in a clean, safe, and functional manner. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Urban Transportation, Urban Planning or a related field, plus five (5) years of maintenance or operations management experience, of which one (1) year is in a management or supervisory role, or a combination of education and experience relating to this position. Management experience in transit operations including the supervision of a large, diverse workforce preferred. Must possess a valid State of Illinois driver’s license. Required to complete and maintain Rail Safety Training certification. Required to complete and maintain Train Operating certification. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery. Must be able to walk on the right-of-way (Structure, Ballast, and Subway) for extended distances in all weather conditions. Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail. Strong project management skills. Strong analysis skills. Good organizational and management skills necessary to define, develop and evaluate objectives, standards and performance levels for capital improvement and maintenance projects. Ability to prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports. Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations. Ability to plan, manage, and coordinate the diverse transportation, maintenance and administrative activities. Ability to read, comprehend and analyze schematics and blueprints including electrical and mechanical attributes as they relate to facility planning, staging, and construction. WORKING CONDITIONS General office environment. Subject to normal rail vehicle terminal hazards such as vehicular noise, dust, grease, moving vehicles, machinery, etc. Subject to exposure to moving trains and energized 600 volt DC electrical current. Travels to various field locations and exposed to prevailing weather conditions. On call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED Standard office equipment. Personal computer and related software (Office, Excel, etc.). Required to carry a CTA issued cell phone Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts. Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate and may be higher or lower than target. Applicants, if hired,must comply with CTA's residency ordinance. CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact arc@transitchicago.com prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided. During the hiring process, CTA's Human Resources department will contact candidates with next steps . Failure to respond to these correspondences in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness. Please click link below to review the benefits offered at the CTA. https://www.transitchicago.com/hrbenefits/

Keywords: , Buffalo Grove , Senior Project Manager, Rail Capital Project Oversight, Construction , Chicago, Illinois