Director of Railroad Capital Planning and Finance

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, and sustainability and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Director of Railroad Capital Planning and Finance oversees the capital planning, financial strategy, and execution of capital programs and projects for the Commuter Rail system within the Railroad Operations department. This role manages the Commuter Rail portfolio under a five-year rolling Capital Investment Plan (CIP), which encompasses approximately $1.1B in capital projects and about $150M in annual spending. It also oversees budget administration, financial reporting, and controls for all Commuter Rail programs and projects. The Director collaborates with internal departments and external agencies to ensure that projects are strategically planned, executed efficiently, and completed on schedule and within budget.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing capital planning and finance functions related to Commuter Rail capital programs and projects, including infrastructure, facilities vehicles, systems and other assets.
• Manage the development and implementation of Commuter Rail programs and projects included in the MBTA’s five-year rolling Capital Investment Plan (CIP), setting priorities for the department.
• Oversee capital project funding requests, amendments, and development of Project Charters.
• Establish policies, procedures and workflows, in alignment with near and long-range strategic objectives as outlined in the MBTA’s Strategic Plan.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, monitor cashflow projections and expenditures, and reconcile with monthly, quarterly, and annual goals established within the CIP.
• Develop and maintain reports and dashboards with data visualization systems to monitor financial performance, benchmark costs, and maintain key performance indicators.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for all Commuter Rail capital programs and projects, including mandated reporting to regulatory agencies, such as the FTA, FRA, NECC, etc.
• Recommend the creation of new, amendment of ongoing, and closeout of existing projects.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the MassDOT Office of Transportation Planning (OTP) and regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to ensure that capital programs and projects are aligned with state, regional, and local planning efforts.
• Manage and develop programs and projects for the MBTA-owned portion of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) – the South Station Terminal Area and the Providence Line up to Rhode Island.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Amtrak, the Northeast Corridor Commission (NECC) and other partners on shared-benefit infrastructure projects, and cost sharing proposals, for the NEC.
• Collaborate and coordinate with Amtrak, the FRA, and NECC on the ongoing Service Development Plan (NEC CONNECT), which will determine future service levels and infrastructure requirements for the NEC, including Commuter Rail operations on the Providence Line.
• Serve as the primary liaison on behalf of Railroad Operations to MBTA's Capital Planning and Finance departments, as well as to the capital planning and finance departments within federal, state, and local agencies.
• Utilize the MBTA’s Project Management Information System (PMIS), e-Builder, for daily project management, oversight, and reporting functions, including Capital Planning funding requests and updating associated Project Charters.
• Utilize the MBTA's Capital Management System (CMS) and Financial Management Information System (FMIS) to monitor capital performance, manage work orders and purchase orders, process invoices, and perform other capital finance-related tasks.
• Identify and implement improvements to enhance data accuracy and system functionality.
• Support internal groups within the Railroad Operations department, including Transportation, Engineering, Mechanical, PTC, and the Rail Modernization planning team. Also responsible for providing similar support to Ferry Operations, which is part of the Railroad Operations department. Coordinate and collaborate with MBTA departments, including Capital Planning, Finance, Procurement, Contract Administration, Capital Delivery, and Vehicle Engineering.
• Coordinate and collaborate with external stakeholders such as Keolis, Amtrak, CSX, Mass Coastal, the FTA, FRA, and the NECC to ensure compliance and effective project delivery.
• Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports and analyses for senior management, the Board of Directors, and external agencies.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
  
  
  

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Planning, Finance, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in capital planning, financial planning and analysis, and/or capital program or project management.
• Five (5) years of supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with data visualization tools such as Tableau.
• Strong financial acumen with skills in capital and budget management, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  
  
  

Substitutions Include

• 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’s degree from an accredited institution 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 Experience And Skills

• A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Planning, Finance, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in overseeing planning, engineering, business, and/or program or project management processes.
• Experience in transportation, planning, design, construction and/or financial sectors.
• Experience managing Projects with MS Project or Primavera P3.
  
  
  

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including a physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• 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 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op.
  
  
  

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. Recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: Although the MBTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, all employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer and on an unrestricted basis (the MBTA does not sponsor non-US citizens). However, if you have an unrestricted work authorization, or sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply for open positions. International students taking part in CPT / STEM / OPT programs through a university are eligible for internships and co-ops with the MBTA. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .