21391 - Special Project Development Manager

Virginia Department of Transportation•Richmond, VA

11d

About The Position

Provide analysis and support for complex projects in an assigned program area by planning, developing, monitoring, and evaluating projects and programs. Serve as Deputy Project Manager for specific innovation projects, assisting the Project Manager with defining scope, budget, and timelines in line with expectations. Manage projects to deliver on time and within budget, coordinate with stakeholders, keep them informed, and inform District leadership of project developments. Lead oversight of AI-based Decision Support System development and deployment. The role supports financial accountability by ensuring funds are appropriately expended to maintain assets, resolving conflict, and supporting organizational effectiveness. As an innovation champion, the manager implements innovation practices, facilitates regular innovation mini-labs, coaches ideas toward implementation, leads pilot projects identified by the Office of Strategic Innovation, engages field staff, and shares innovation stories and lessons learned. The manager responds to customer requests, facilitates creative solutions to complex design issues, and coordinates project communication among team members and stakeholders. The role applies project management, public policy, and business expertise to resolve transportation issues; identifies potential risks to programs and projects; and communicates with public agencies, citizen groups, localities, and other stakeholders to exchange information, support decisions, and prevent recurring or escalating issues.

Requirements

Demonstrated supervisory management, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Experience overseeing transportation activities for multiple projects of varying complexity.
Knowledge of administrative, managerial, supervisory, and human resource principles, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of project management tools, techniques, standards, and guidelines.
Knowledge of public policy, local politics, and business practices related to transportation issues.
Knowledge of transportation laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, including federal, state, and local regulations.
Skill in interpreting contracts, special provisions, and specifications related to transportation.
Ability to analyze complex financial data and detailed numerical data, reach logical conclusions, and generate reports.
Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to negotiate and lead discussions to reach desired results.
Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage multiple concurrent assignments in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
Ability to apply project management principles to pilot innovation projects and share lessons learned and successes.
Demonstrated technical, management, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Skill in positively interacting with employees, citizens, and government officials.
Skill in maneuvering through complex political situations with sensitivity to how people and organizations function.
Skill in using computers and software applications.

Nice To Haves

Training, experience, or education in Engineering, Public Administration, Business, Finance, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
Experience leading project teams in resolving transportation issues.
Project Management Certification.
Project management-level experience overseeing complex transportation projects.

Responsibilities

Plan, develop, monitor, and evaluate projects and programs in an assigned program area.
Serve as Deputy Project Manager for specific innovation projects and assist the Project Manager in establishing scope, budget, and timelines.
Manage projects to deliver on time and within budget; coordinate team members and stakeholders to ensure work stays within scope, schedule, and budget.
Lead oversight of AI-based Decision Support System development and deployment.
Ensure funds are appropriately expended to maintain assets.
Investigate, resolve, and diffuse conflict situations; use negotiation to challenge or support procedures and help implement organizational changes.
Champion innovation practices and culture in employees’ day-to-day work, including facilitating regular innovation mini-labs and coaching ideas toward implementation.
Lead and manage pilot projects identified by the Office of Strategic Innovation, engage field staff in their development and implementation, and share lessons learned and successes.
Discover, document, and share innovation practices and stories from the field; serve as a champion for VDOT of Tomorrow initiatives.
Respond to customer requests for service and facilitate creative solutions to complex design issues in coordination with stakeholders.
Identify and work through potential issues that could impair transportation programs, projects, or studies under development.
Communicate with diverse stakeholders and influence locality management and stakeholder groups on transportation issues and visions.
Facilitate information gathering, exchange, and decision-making between VDOT and jurisdictions.
Identify critical issues to prevent problems from escalating or recurring.
Participate in and conduct meetings with public agencies and citizen groups to gather or disseminate information.