Chief Program Officer - Special Projects

Job Title: Chief Program Officer – Special Projects

Department: Special Projects

MTA Agency: Long Island Rail Road

Primary Location(s): New York, NY

Salary Range: $195,648 - $244,560

Regulated/Safety Sensitive: Non-DOT Regulated/Safety Sensitive

Union Affiliation: Non-agreement

Closing Date (if applicable): Until Filled

Shift (if applicable): N/A

Title 55-a (yes or no): N/A

Other: Telework eligible

ABOUT THE AGENCY

Chartered in 1834, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is the largest, busiest, and oldest continuously operating commuter railroad in the United States. In 2024, this 24/7/365 operation served 75.5 million riders on a system that stretches nearly 120 miles – from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in Manhattan to Montauk on the eastern tip of Long Island.

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Program Officer – Special Projects position is the Program Executive accountable for directing the LIRR Interface and management activities associated with the East Side Access (ESA), Penn Station Improvements (PSI) Penn Station Access (PSA), Moynihan, Westside Yard (WSY) Overbuild, Western and Eastern Rail Yards (WRY & ERY) and other Special Projects. 

The Chief Program Officer – Special Projects, as the program executive, has executive responsibility and business, legal, operational, and technical authority for overseeing the implementation and management of the LIRR's Capital and assigned Operating Funded Projects to ensure scope, schedule and budget adherence. The Chief Program Officer – Special Projects ensures the coordination of all policy, business, legal, construction, operations, activities related to the design construction and opening of several multi-billion-dollar projects. The Chief Program Officer leads the teams that directs the LIRR Force Account construction and construction support activities.  This includes the development of an overall business plan and schedule of milestones to ensure all operational staffing needs, budgetary requirements, legal agreements, procurements, hiring and training of new hires, and technical issues are addressed and resolved. 

The Chief Program Officer represents LIRR on multiple Mega and Special Projects, coordinates with regional special projects, and will cultivate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders throughout the new MTA organization and the industry to support effective planning, development, and delivery of major investments of the LIRR's operating infrastructure.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the direction and coordination of all LIRR Special Projects construction and third-party construction support activities; lead LIRR efforts to effectively identify, track and resolve all technical engineering issues; facilitation of design resources with LIRR operating department participation, reviews and decision-making.
• Ensure support of all construction by managing LIRR processes and forces required for submittal reviews, issue resolution, inspection and testing for all third-party construction.
• Direct LIRR involvement in the management of activities associated with overbuilds and special projects, including interfaces with all LIRR Departments. Major overbuilding/development projects include the 9th Avenue and Hudson Yard Development Projects; Special Projects include Moynihan, Gateway, NYCT 7 Line Extension and Penn Plaza/Penn Station.
• Serve as LIRR’s lead in negotiations with Developers on construction agreements including the major overbuild projects and Atlantic Yards Real Estate at Penn Station.
• Direct the management and coordination of the development, planning, review and implementation of a variety of Penn Station Projects including joint projects with Amtrak and 3rd. party consultants/contractors engaged in technical studies, design and construction. Overall responsibility for the cost and schedule control of projects assigned.
• Represent LIRR as the program executive
• Ensure alignment of all LIRR Special Projects with long range goals. Provide the management and control of the Program.
• Monitor and interpret legislative trends, proposals and actions to ensure that the LIRR’s interests are protected.
• Ensure required interaction among the Rail Road, MTA States Agencies and FTA to provide the necessary funding for various operating and capital needs.
• Represents LIRR as Program Executive to:

-     Facilitate project activities

-     Resolve policy and technical issues between LIRR and projects

-     Provide leadership for achievement of department goals and objectives, and the management and coordination of business administrative activities to ensure the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is prepared for the opening operational readiness of all LIRR Special Projects.

• Proactively communicate with President, SVP and Senior Staff to ensure they are kept abreast of appropriate issues and project status.
• Partners with Operating Chiefs, Executives and other Agency Executives to ensure all needs and requirements are incorporated into the development of the SP strategic plan, budget, and resource development and staffing plans.
• Ensure that positive, effective relationships are maintained with MTA, Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, FTA, FRA, PMOC, and other LIRR Departments, private developers, outside agencies, local government, consultants and contractors in order to ensure projects are completed in accordance with approved scope, schedule and budget.
• Ensure that West End Project construction work and track outages are coordinated in support of LIRR operations in coordination with LIRR Transportation Dept., MTACC-ESA, Amtrak and the development projects.
• Maintain a positive employee relations climate. Ensure the Company’s principles, policies and programs are consistently practiced.
• Create an environment that respects individual differences and enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential.
• Select, develop and motivate key personnel within the division to ensure management continuity.
• Responsible for the continued implementation of the corporate employee safety policy. Promote safe work practices and provide safe working conditions to employees and customers. Provide oversight of time and attendance. Must be available to work extended hours for unplanned work, emergencies, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Comply with all policies and standards
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
• Reviews invoices and approve them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor, when possible, as applicable
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable
   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required:

• In-depth knowledge of railroad and/or transportation operations in order to establish long-range plans.
• A proven record as a department head of a large multi-functional transportation operation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and be sensitive to a diverse workforce.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Engineering (advanced study preferred) or demonstrated, directly related equivalent of formal education and experience. In lieu of the degree, a minimum of an additional four years of experience may be considered to each of the bullet points below.
2. Minimum 15 years of extensive, progressively responsible related experience in managing railroad Force Accounts and third-party designers, contractors, and other corporate staff.
3. Minimum 10 years of experience with project management including senior level management experience in providing corporate long-range plans, systems development in support of plans, and technology development and management of large capital projects.

The following is/are preferred: None

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required: None

OTHER INFORMATION

• Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).
• Final salary is determined experience, skillset, and alignment with compensation practices. The posted range reflects expected compensation and may be updated as market or business needs evolve.
• Employees driving company vehicles will be subject to License Monitoring and must complete defensive driver training once every three years for current MTA drivers; or within 180 days of hire or transfer for an employee entering an authorized driving position.
• To be eligible for consideration for a new role, current MTA employees must complete at least one year of service in their current role prior to applying. Additionally, eligibility to interview is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory record of job performance, attendance, and disciplinary conduct.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ADA DISCLAIMER

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

If you seek a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability, or for a religious practice or observance, to participate in the job application or interview process, please notify your MTA representative once you have been contacted regarding the role.

HOW TO APPLY:

For Internal Applicants: Log in to the My MTA Portal, click on the My Job Search tile, select the Careers link, search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the on-screen instructions.

For External Applicants: Visit www.mta.info, click the “Careers” link located in the footer under the "The MTA" section, then click on “See All Open MTA Positions”. Search for the desired position, click Apply, and follow the instructions.