Director, Capital Delivery Construction

Metra•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Capital Delivery Construction, reporting to the Senior Director, Engineering Capital Projects, manages a team of professionals responsible for overseeing large-scale construction projects including bridges, tracks, stations, parking lots, and railroad yard facilities. This role is crucial for Metra, one of North America's largest commuter rail systems, which links communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient service. The Capital Delivery Department is structured into seven sections, and this position specifically focuses on the construction aspect of capital projects, ensuring they are completed according to plan, budget, and quality standards. The position involves significant responsibility for staff management, project oversight, regulatory compliance, and financial control within the construction domain.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction, construction management, or a related field OR in lieu of the specified degree, a combination of education and experience may be substituted that equals four years in engineering, construction, or construction management.
Ten years of engineering or construction experience that includes project management.
Five years of direct supervisory experience that includes day-to-day employee management, assigning tasks, providing guidance and training, monitoring performance, conflict management, budgeting, hiring, disciplinary and/or termination.
Comprehensive knowledge of engineering construction principles, methods, and practices.
Comprehensive knowledge of materials, techniques, and components of structures within railroad systems.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of project budgeting, scheduling, and management.
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 skills using 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 efficiencies.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Ability to stand, walk, and/or sit, for extended periods of time.
Must be able to operate a vehicle.
Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra’s 6-county region.
Must be available to work flexible hours in the early morning, late afternoon, evenings, or weekends.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the railroad industry.
Certification in Project Management.
Professional Engineering (PE) License is preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise staff that manage all stages of capital construction projects from pre-construction to project closeout, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and coordination with contractors and building officials.
Provide expert guidance on complex projects and develop management reports detailing the status of all ongoing construction projects.
Develop and assess contract modifications and change orders, create and review independent cost estimates, manage construction project budgets, monitor expenses, resolve payment application disputes, analyze financial reports, prepare cash flow spreadsheets, and ensure projects are completed within budget constraints.
Draft requests for proposals or letters of interest and qualifications to hire construction management services professionals, issue task orders, evaluate and score proposals, oversee the contracting process, and approve requisitions.
Oversee regulatory compliance with contract documents, building codes, zoning regulations, National Environmental Policy Act regulations, safety standards, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association guidelines, and other legal requirements.
Facilitate acquisition of necessary building permits, Office of Underground Coordination approvals, and other regulatory clearances.
Establish quality benchmarks for construction work, conduct periodic job site inspections to ensure compliance with contract specifications, Federal Transit Administration Guidelines, and industry best practices.
Implement corrective actions as needed to maintain quality standards.
Serve as 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.
Decide/implement staffing decisions, performance evaluations, and performance improvement, disciplinary, and/or termination procedures.
Make recommendations regarding hiring, performance evaluations, disciplinary and/or termination procedures.
Responsible for the safety objectives, goals, and program of the organization ensuring compliance with applicable safety rules and regulations.
Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.