Manager Project Development

About the role

The Manager, Project Development for the Railroad Project Development unit will support planning, prioritization, scope selection and definition, budget development and oversight, and project lifecycle monitoring for a portfolio of capital projects. The Manager will work closely and collaboratively with Project Development staff and stakeholders across the MTA, including project-sponsor departments in Metro-North and groups in MTA C&D's Planning, Delivery, and Contracts departments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with developing Metro-North's five-year Capital Program; coordinate funding targets and strategies; work with Metro-North departments to propose and prioritize projects, define scope, and manage changes to the capital program.
• Provide supporting analysis for developing the Metro-North capital program.
• Ensure that advancement of the future state of good repair, routine replacement, system improvement, and network expansion projects are consistent with each other and with corporate short-term and long-term planning goals and assumptions.
• Assist with developing Metro-North's five-year capital program and subsequent plan amendments, including spreadsheets, text narratives, briefing materials, PowerPoint presentations, and other materials, as required.
• Review scope documents, project justifications and business case documentation, project change requests, project plan books, and other project materials.
• Ensure consistency across Metro-North capital investments and strategies and project funding availability.
• Represent C&D Development at progress meetings for capital projects.
• Prepare environmental documentation for federally funded Metro-North capital projects, including CE worksheets and other required materials.
• Assist with preparing, reviewing, and updating documentation needed to progress federally funded capital projects, including public hearing texts, Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) descriptions, and the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) consultation process for capital projects that involve historic resources.
• Assist with developing long-range planning strategies and documents, including the MTA's Twenty-Year Needs Assessment.
• Coordinate project phasing, sequencing, and "bundling" strategies to generate construction and contracting efficiencies.
• Evaluate project investment alternatives, including cost/benefit analyses.
• Monitor and control the evolution of project scopes and budgets throughout the project lifecycle.
• Evaluate planned capital projects and unfunded capital needs to take advantage of budget and funding opportunities and construction efficiencies; assist with changes to and rebalancing the Capital Program to accommodate new project needs.
• Assist in developing and managing annual commitment and completion plans and associated reporting, monitoring, and data collection.
• Develop reports and presentation materials for internal and external purposes, including Metro-North capital program briefings and materials required to assist capital program development.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Urban Planning, Business, Public Policy, Construction Management, Finance/Economics or a related field.
• Master's degree in Transportation, Urban Planning, Business, Public Policy, Construction Management, Finance/Economics, or a related field preferred.
• Must have a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in Transportation, Construction, Infrastructure, Finance, Planning, or a related field.

Competencies

• Passion for improving New York's public transit system.
• Familiarity with the Metro-North network, operations, and the MTA Capital Program.
• Experience with project planning, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Familiarity with the MTA's policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Transportation & Financial Benefits: Complimentary MTA transportation pass and access to tax-advantaged commuter benefits.
• Premium Health Coverage: High-quality individual, family, and domestic partner healthcare, dental, vision, and life insurance plans at low cost.
• Secure Your Future: Pension plans and retirement savings accounts designed for eligible employees.
• Time Off & Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and comprehensive holiday schedules; access to Work Life Services and Office of the Chaplains for personal support.
• Professional Growth & Development: Learning & development programs, skills training, leadership programs, tuition reimbursement, and in-house training partnerships.
• Employee Experience & Community: Employee Assistance Programs, discounts and perks, and Employee Resource Groups for inclusive workplace culture.