Senior Director of Maintenance of Way (MOW)

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

About the Role

This position will oversee 300+ employees, consultants, and contractors responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, construction, and all other activities associated with the Authority's track infrastructure. This includes the operation and maintenance of the track infrastructure system for revenue service across the entire transit system (Red, Orange, Blue, Green, and Mattapan Trolley lines) and of non-revenue track infrastructure systems in the maintenance yards and facilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and direct all activities associated with the repair, maintenance, and modification of all track infrastructure to enhance the customer experience.
• Provide leadership, direction, and information to the Chief of E&M Infrastructure regarding the current state of Maintenance of Way (MOW) and capital improvement projects.
• Support the three other functional areas of Engineering & Maintenance (E&M): Signals & Communications Maintenance (SCM), Power Systems Maintenance (PSM), and Stations, Facilities, and Structures (SFS).
• Lead E&M in the absence of E&M department leadership.
• Supervise a heavily unionized workforce, including Directors, Deputy Directors, Superintendents, Supervisors, Forepersons, and other maintenance, engineering, and administrative staff responsible for track assets.
• Lead and monitor resource allocation, including operation and capital budget requests, alignment with strategic goals, and resource priorities.
• Establish a strategy for defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for the department with clear definitions, milestones, and metrics.
• Drive the shift from reactive-based maintenance to preventative and predictive maintenance through process development, data analytics, and strategic planning.
• Establish and monitor preventative maintenance schedules for field staff implementation.
• Develop and maintain procedures, manuals, and specifications for testing, preventative maintenance, inspections, and repairs related to track infrastructure.
• Develop and implement production schedules for renewal, replacement, upgrades, and programmatic maintenance of track assets.
• Review specifications and RFPs for consultants and vendors, participate in the selection process, and review contractor/vendor submittals.
• Ensure all inventory, equipment, facilities, and materials are protected, maintained, and stored in a safe operating condition.
• Participate in the development and management of the department's annual operating and capital budgets.
• Work with the Office of Administration to assess staffing needs and participate in recruitment and selection of employees.
• Ensure all crews receive proper training to perform maintenance tasks, operate equipment, and comply with authority policies.
• Monitor and oversee investigations into system failures and implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure departmental compliance with Authority policies, safety standards, discipline processes, and mandated trainings.
• Establish and maintain sound union/management relations while upholding management rights and collective bargaining agreements.
• Respond to inquiries from customers, vendors, or coworkers in a courteous and professional manner.
• Respond to emergencies, extreme weather, or abnormal conditions impairing service or safety, 24/7 as required.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and assist during emergencies or service disruptions.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building effective relationships with employees.
• Ensure fair and consistent application of rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and Authority policies.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned.

Supervision

Team of 300+ maintenance or way staff, including Directors, Deputy Directors, Supervisors, Engineers, Superintendents, Forepersons, Trackpersons, System Repairers, Laborers, and Equipment Operators.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Twelve (12) years of experience in a transit or industrial setting managing, reviewing, designing, and implementing contract & procurement, engineering, and/or maintenance processes.
• Seven (7) years of experience in people management and/or enterprise-wide project leadership in a transit and/or industrial environment.
• Experience developing and monitoring operating and capital budgets.
• Experience developing and articulating capital investment programs.
• Experience making presentations to executive management, staff, and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Valid driver’s license without infractions in accordance with MBTA policy.
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with all aspects of the inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrade, design, and/or construction of rail track structures for a public transit provider or other transportation industry.
• Experience supervising and managing personnel responsible for rail track structures in a unionized environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Master's degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited institution.
• Professional Engineering (PE) Certification.

Job Conditions

• Ability to read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, and inquiries in English.
• At least eighteen (18) years of age, except for approved high school internship/co-op programs.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area.
• Ability to provide courteous and professional experiences to internal and external customers.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team.
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while maintaining effective relationships with employees.
• Adherence to MBTA rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and policies, including EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Satisfactory work record for the two (2) years prior to the closing date of this posting.
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and/or medical clinic screening, including physical examination and drug/alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and locations assigned, including up to 24/7 during emergencies, severe weather, or service disruptions.

Intern/co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number are required prior to starting pre-employment screenings.