Senior Direct Project Development

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Summary

Join the team responsible for planning, budgeting, funding, oversight, and developing implementation strategies for the MTA's $55-billion Capital Program. C&D's Project Development unit plays a pivotal role in determining what, when, and how the MTA builds – prioritizing capital investments, evaluating project scopes, establishing the project and program budgets, maximizing external funding opportunities, monitoring and reporting on Capital Program performance; and strategically coordinating packaging, and scheduling work to maximize benefits and minimize construction impacts to MTA riders.

MTA C&D Development is hiring up to three Senior Directors of Project Development. Each Senior Director will oversee the planning, prioritization, scope selection and definition, budget development and oversight, and project lifecycle monitoring for a portfolio of capital projects (Railroad Projects, Subway Infrastructure and station projects, or Bridges and tunnel and MTA-wide fleet projects). Senior Directors will report to the Senior Vice President, Project Development. They will each oversee a team of directors, managers, and planners/analysts working closely and collaboratively with stakeholders across the MTA, including project sponsor departments in MTA operating agencies (NYC Transit, MTA Bus, Long Island Railroad, Metro-North Railroad, and Bridges & Tunnels) and groups in MTA C&D's Planning, Delivery, and Contracts departments.

These teams will be charged with developing, optimizing, and controlling capital project scopes and managing their associated schedules and budgets. Senior Directors will be responsible for compiling and maintaining information on project priorities, cost estimates, and schedules, using that information to assemble an actionable program of projects that fit within anticipated funding constraints and recommending project bundling and execution strategies to maximize efficiency. Senior Directors will also be responsible for overseeing the advancement of projects throughout their lifecycle, ensuring that scope content and financial justification are maintained and that capital budget control procedures are followed. By doing so, Senior Directors ensure that capital investments provide the best value for MTA customers and agency operations and maintenance needs.

Responsibilities

The Senior Directors, Project Development will:

Oversee all aspects of administering their respective portions of the MTA's Capital Program, including the definition, capital eligibility, and prioritization of candidate projects; additions, deletions, and deferrals; project phasing, sequencing, and bundling approaches; and ongoing monitoring/control of project scopes and budgets.

Lead the development of program elements for the five-year Capital Program.

Analyze the Twenty-Year Needs Assessment results and refine its conceptual investment strategies to produce actionable, project-specific investments.

Implement changes to the prioritization of projects in the approved capital program based on recommendations by project sponsors and C&D Planning to align with funding targets.

Review and approve requests from operating agencies for new additions to the Capital Program.

Oversee strategic bundling and packaging of C&D work to maximize construction synergies and optimize procurement approach.

Serve as the primary control point for project scopes.

Review and recommend approval of project scope documents (such as Master Plans), including evaluation of feasible alternatives and operating/capital budget impacts analyses, and ensure that the project scope is consistent with the original intent and financial justification of the project.

Further, ensure that scope content and financial justification are maintained as projects evolve during the design phase and/or that all project stakeholders have formally approved any changes.

Serve as the primary control point for project budgets.

Review cost estimates and ensure that projected expenditures are appropriately forecasted and allocated within the capital program.

Review and recommend approval of Requests to Advertise.

Monitor cash flow/burn rates during construction and closeout phases to assess overrun potential. Monitor/control the use of contingency funds.

Ensure that all agency-wide capital budget control procedures are followed.

Prepare analysis and reports for use by the MTA Board, executive, and senior management on the status and performance of the Capital program.

Continuously ensure that budget systems (including the Project Status Report) are adaptable to complex and evolving capital budget control/reporting requirements.

Advise MTA and C&D Senior/executive staff on project progress and programmatic strategies; respond to information requests from MTA, Board members, external agencies, political offices, etc.

Direct and develop a team of managers, planners, and analysts supporting project development activities for their respective portions of the MTA Capital Program.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in business, architecture/engineering, accounting, finance, public administration or public policy, city or urban planning, transportation, or a related field required.

Master's degree from an accredited college in business, architecture/engineering, accounting, finance, public administration or public policy, city or urban planning, transportation, or a related field preferred.

Minimum of fifteen (15) years of satisfactory full-time professional experience.

Minimum of ten (10) years of satisfactory managerial experience.

Competencies:

Passion for improving New York's public transit system.

Familiarity with the MTA network and the MTA Capital Program.

Experience with project planning, scheduling, and/or 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/or external stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and efficiently.

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.

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”).

Selection Criteria

Based on evaluation of education, skills, experience, and interview.

How to Apply

MTA employees must apply via My MTA Portal. You can submit an online application by logging into My MTA Portal, clicking the My Job Search ribbon, and selecting the “Careers” link. Logging in through My MTA Portal will link your BSC ID number to your job application to identify you as an internal applicant.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.