Regional VP, Transportation Central PROG

Patriot Rail•Houston, TX

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Regional Vice President (RVP) of Rail Operations is a senior operational leader responsible for the safe, efficient, and profitable performance of multiple short line and regional railroad properties within an assigned geographic territory. This position provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and workforce development while ensuring compliance with all Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT), OSHA, and company regulations. The RVP partners closely with local Operations Managers, Mechanical, Engineering, Commercial, and People teams to drive a culture focused on safety, service excellence, regulatory compliance, employee engagement, and financial performance. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership capabilities, operational expertise, and a commitment to developing high-performing teams. This is a hands-on railroad leader who prefers to be in the field rather than behind a desk, regularly engaging with employees and customers while driving operational and financial results across multiple railroad properties.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, Transportation, Engineering, Logistics, or related field; equivalent railroad leadership experience will be considered.
Minimum 10 years of progressive railroad operations experience.
Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience managing multiple locations, departments, or business units.
Comprehensive knowledge of FRA regulations, railroad operating practices, and transportation operations.
Proven ability to lead large teams and deliver operational improvements.
Strong financial acumen and budget management experience.
Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship management skills.
Ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region.
Executive leadership experience within short line, regional, Class I railroad, or transportation organizations.
Experience leading union and non-union workforces.
Knowledge of railroad engineering, mechanical, and commercial operations.
Continuous improvement or Lean management experience.
Ability to safely navigate rail yards, locomotive facilities, industrial sites, and outdoor environments.
Ability to walk on uneven surfaces, climb rail equipment and stairways, and perform site inspections in varying weather conditions.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be eligible to operate a company vehicle or rental vehicle as necessary.

Responsibilities

Provide direct leadership and oversight of multiple railroad operations across the assigned region.
Ensure safe and efficient train operations, maintenance activities, and infrastructure management.
Drive operational performance through established key performance indicators (KPIs) including safety, service, productivity, and financial results.
Develop and execute regional business plans aligned with company strategic objectives.
Review operational trends and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
Champion a safety-first culture throughout all railroad operations.
Ensure compliance with FRA regulations, operating rules, environmental standards, and company policies.
Conduct safety reviews, operational audits, and field inspections.
Lead incident investigations and ensure corrective actions are effectively implemented.
Promote continuous safety improvement through coaching, accountability, and employee engagement.
Manage regional operating budgets and capital expenditure plans.
Drive profitability and operational efficiency initiatives.
Monitor expenses and identify opportunities to improve productivity and cost management.
Support commercial growth by partnering with Sales and Marketing teams to meet customer needs and expand business opportunities.
Participate in strategic planning, forecasting, and business reviews.
Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to General Managers and operational leaders.
Build leadership bench strength and succession plans for critical roles.
Promote employee engagement, accountability, and performance excellence.
Partner with Human Resources to support workforce planning, employee relations, and talent development initiatives.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Develop strong relationships with customers, communities, regulatory agencies, and industry partners.
Represent the company with local, state, and federal organizations.
Collaborate with customers to ensure service expectations are met or exceeded.
Support business development efforts and strategic customer initiatives.