Director, Capital Delivery Construction

Metra•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Director, Capital Delivery Construction reports to the Senior Director, Engineering Capital Projects, and manages a team of professionals overseeing large-scale construction projects involving bridges, tracks, stations, parking lots, and railroad yards. The role oversees capital construction projects from pre-construction through closeout, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and coordination with contractors and building officials. It also provides expert guidance on complex projects and prepares management reports on ongoing construction work. The Director manages project budgets, cost estimates, contract modifications, change orders, expenses, payment disputes, financial reports, and cash flow. The role oversees procurement and contracting for construction management services, including developing solicitation documents, evaluating proposals, issuing task orders, and approving requisitions. It ensures compliance with contract documents, applicable codes, environmental requirements, safety standards, railroad engineering guidelines, and other regulations; facilitates permits and regulatory clearances; and establishes and monitors construction quality benchmarks through site inspections and corrective actions. The position serves as a subject-matter expert in engineering and construction best practices and has substantial staff-management responsibilities, including scheduling, staffing, performance management, hiring recommendations, and disciplinary processes. It is responsible for organizational safety objectives and regulatory compliance. The role requires site visits throughout Metra’s six-county region and may involve travel outside the region for factory acceptance tests or job-related seminars. Work may take place in indoor and outdoor conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow. Flexible hours may include early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction, construction management, or a related field; alternatively, a combination of education and experience equivalent to four years in engineering, construction, or construction management.
At least 10 years of engineering or construction experience, including project management.
At least five years of direct supervisory experience, including day-to-day employee management, task assignment, guidance and training, performance monitoring, conflict management, budgeting, hiring, and disciplinary or termination processes.
Comprehensive knowledge of engineering and construction principles, methods, and practices.
Comprehensive knowledge of materials, techniques, and structural components used in railroad systems.
Considerable knowledge of project budgeting, scheduling, and management principles and practices.
Considerable knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Good project management skills.
Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to direct the management of multiple complex projects.
Ability to control project costs, schedules, and quality.
Ability to establish processes and procedures that improve efficiency.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a vehicle.
Must be willing to travel within and outside Metra’s six-county region.
Must be available to work flexible hours, including early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, or weekends.
Must be able to stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the railroad industry.
Certification in Project Management.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Responsibilities

Supervise staff managing all stages of capital construction projects, from pre-construction through closeout, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and coordination with contractors and building officials.
Provide expert guidance on complex projects and develop management reports on the status of ongoing construction projects.
Develop and assess contract modifications and change orders; create and review independent cost estimates; manage budgets and expenses; resolve payment application disputes; analyze financial reports; prepare cash flow spreadsheets; and keep projects within budget.
Prepare requests for proposals or letters of interest and qualifications for construction management services; issue task orders; evaluate and score proposals; oversee contracting; and approve requisitions.
Oversee compliance with contract documents, building codes, zoning regulations, NEPA regulations, safety standards, AREMA guidelines, and other legal requirements.
Facilitate building permits, Office of Underground Coordination approvals, and other regulatory clearances.
Establish construction quality benchmarks and conduct periodic job site inspections to ensure compliance with contract specifications, FTA guidelines, and industry best practices; implement corrective actions as needed.
Serve as a subject-matter expert advising the department on engineering and construction best practices.
Approve time off, coordinate staff schedules, fill vacancies as necessary, and ensure compliance with departmental and company policies and objectives.
Make and implement staffing decisions, conduct performance evaluations, and manage performance improvement, disciplinary, and termination procedures; make recommendations regarding hiring and these processes.
Ensure the organization meets its safety objectives, goals, and program requirements and complies with applicable safety rules and regulations.
Visit construction sites throughout Metra’s six-county region and travel outside the region for factory acceptance tests or job-related seminars as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned to meet organizational needs.