Transit Planning & Design Program Manager

GFT is looking for a Transit Planning and Design Program Manager in the Chicago area. This is a hybrid role requiring onsite attendance at the client in downtown Chicago on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  

Working with the transit & rail team at GFT means shaping the future of transportation, delivering projects that improve operations, capacity, and safety for our clients. Specializing in large-scale intermodal facilities, capacity improvements, commuter projects, and industrial developments, our experts combine deep technical knowledge with creative thinking to provide innovative solutions for complex problems. Together, we're transforming rail networks across North America and optimizing how goods and people reach their destinations.

What you’ll be challenged to do:

The transit deputy program manager of planning and design will be responsible for managing the delivery of various transit projects including stations, track, and systems. This role involves managing a team of technical and management support personnel to assist the client in the delivery of a multi-billion-dollar capital program. A key responsibility of the role is assisting in the planning for the overall program, including understanding of how local, state, and federal funding can shape project development. The planning side of the role will manage individuals responsible for delivering major program master plans for large transit initiatives, environmental clearances, identification of alternative delivery options to meet schedule or budget requirements, coordination of major initiatives for accessibility or state-of-good repair, and overall assistance in major capital program identification and delivery methods. For design, the role will assist in reviewing best procurement practices, procurement of consultant contracts, and recommendations to maintain design scope, schedule, and budget. This role requires excellent communications skills and regular interfaces with client senior management.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Lead client communication for all projects in planning and design phases. Regularly interface with via written and verbal communication with client senior management.
• Manage a team of 15 – 18 specialists in architecture, systems, track, planning, estimating, and program management to prioritize workload for efficiency, responsiveness, and quality.
• Lead coordination with other program management teams and client departments to enhance overall program and project delivery.
• Identify issues with project delivery, lead investigations, and present findings / recommendations on improvements to delivery.
• Assist the client in identifying potential capital projects based on overall agency priorities and need.
• Provide guidance on project planning and delivery given funding source, NEPA, or other constraints.
• Develop major program initiatives for accessibility, state-of-good repair, or other client priorities, including management of federal transit master plan documents.
• Work closely with the client to prioritize, drive, and accurately report upon the progress of capital projects.
• Identify and recommend solutions to maintain design schedules and budget based on overall program metrics.
• Review design task orders and contracts for consistency and improvements, including incorporation of lessons learned.
• Across the team, ensure consistency and monitor adherence to the client ISO 9001 quality procedures, guidelines, and work instructions.

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions. 

Location: Chicago
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time

Salary: $240,000- $260,000

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