Director, Springfield Rail (Administrator VII)

Position Summary

MassDOT is seeking an experienced transportation leader to serve as the Director of Springfield Rail Projects. This position will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project and related passenger and freight rail initiatives in Western Massachusetts.

Serving as MassDOT’s senior owner representative, the Director will guide the project through planning, design, construction, and implementation. The Director will establish program priorities, oversee project performance, and coordinate critical decisions involving scope, schedule, budget, risk, safety, and regulatory compliance.

This is an opportunity to lead a complex, regionally significant rail program that will strengthen passenger and freight mobility, support economic development, and improve connections throughout Western Massachusetts and the broader New England rail network.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, governance, and delivery of the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project and related rail initiatives.

• Represent MassDOT’s interests throughout all phases of the program and ensure that the Commonwealth maintains appropriate control over major project decisions.

• Establish program priorities, delivery strategies, performance expectations, decision-making protocols, and escalation procedures.

• Oversee project scope, budget, schedule, risk, consultant resources, agreements, and overall program performance.

• Direct multidisciplinary teams of engineers, planners, project managers, consultants, contractors, and railroad representatives.

• Identify emerging financial, operational, technical, safety, and schedule risks and direct appropriate corrective action.

• Serve as a senior MassDOT liaison with Amtrak, CSX Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, municipalities, and other public and private partners.

• Lead the resolution of complex policy, operational, technical, contractual, and jurisdictional matters involving multiple organizations.

• Oversee compliance with federal grant requirements, FRA regulations, environmental commitments, railroad agreements, procurement requirements, and applicable state and federal laws.

• Coordinate with MassDOT’s legal, fiscal, procurement, environmental, safety, planning, and engineering teams to protect the Commonwealth’s interests and continued eligibility for federal funding.

• Prepare executive briefings, recommendations, decision memoranda, and other materials for MassDOT leadership, public officials, and key stakeholders.

• Develop policies, procedures, reporting systems, internal controls, and governance structures that support accountable and consistent program delivery.

• Supervise Rail Project Managers and provide functional direction to staff, consultants, contractors, and multidisciplinary project teams.

• Support engagement with legislative offices, municipalities, community leaders, advocacy organizations, and members of the public regarding project progress, service impacts, and regional benefits.

A finalist for this position must be able to pass a comprehensive background check including a criminal record check, Department of Revenue (DOR) check, and employment references.

 About MassDOT

The 4,000 employees of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) take great pride in connecting the Commonwealth’s residents and communities. MassDOT is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating transportation policies and projects for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to efficiently plan, design, construct, and maintain a safe statewide transportation system which effectively meets the transportation needs of the Commonwealth. Information about MassDOT’s culture and career opportunities can be found at mass.gov/massdot-careers.

MassDOT’s divisions include Highway, Registry of Motor Vehicles, Aeronautics, and Rail & Transit. Headquarters (Planning & Enterprise Services) provides business and administrative support and policy leadership for each of the four (4) divisions.