Manager of Projects and Initiatives at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – Boston, Massachusetts

The Manager of Projects and Initiatives will support and assist with a broad range of activities for the General Manager/CEO’s Office, primarily focusing on managing key projects and initiatives critical to the MBTA’s mission and goals. This role is instrumental in ensuring effective planning, coordination, and follow-through on key agency priorities.

This position requires the ability to think critically and independently, while working productively and proactively without constant, direct supervision. Must maintain and exercise the highest level of discretion and sound judgment in handling confidential information. This role also requires excellent project management skills, demonstrating the ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate staff resources to achieve assigned objectives on time and within scope.

Key responsibilities include interdepartmental coordination, support of agency-wide planning efforts, and direct engagement with internal leadership and external agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Governor’s Office, and other regional stakeholders. This role will also support communication efforts, cross-functional planning activities, and the implementation of organizational priorities led by the Senior Advisor and General Manager/CEO.

• Initiate, manage, and facilitate initiatives, cross-functional projects, working groups, and special task forces from initiation to completion to meet the MBTA’s long-term goals.
• Oversee and coordinate activities of various task forces and working groups, draft correspondence and other documents, prepare presentations, memos, action items, and talking points for different occasions and audiences.
• Develop, oversee, and implement project plans, timelines, and budgets for unique transit-related initiatives.
• Communicate with stakeholders, including internal departments, external agencies, and the public, to ensure project alignment and buy-in.

• Lead and manage the development and maintenance of project documentation, including workplans, SOPs, matrices, and process maps.
• Identify, follow up and resolve project-related challenges, ensuring the projects stay on track and meet goals.
• Work with departments to ensure the project's SharePoint content is up-to-date and accurate.
• Develop and maintain process-specific guides, including user guides, administrative guides, and best practices.

• Lead, manage and/or coordinate MBTA’s key projects and initiatives with MassDOT, the Governor’s Office, partner agencies, and stakeholders.
• Create and deliver presentations on the progress of the agency's initiatives to the general manager/CEO and Senior Advisor.
• Lead change management initiatives to support organizational transformation, process improvement, and alignment.
• Write high-quality technical documentation, business cases, project reports, and user guides that convey complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ensure all projects comply with relevant transit/community/state policies and regulations.
• Leverage project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile, Six Sigma) to manage timelines, improve processes, or drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Prioritize, identify, and manage potential risks associated with special projects, such as safety, security, financial and logistic issues.
• Collaborate with local communities to address concerns and ensure that projects benefit the public.

• Maintain utmost confidentiality in all matters related to the MBTA and MassDOT.
• Work independently in addressing tasks in a time-sensitive environment.
• Follow up on actions required for task completion while seeking guidance as necessary.
• Respond to each customer, vendor, or co-worker inquiry professionally and courteously.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, charts, and presentations utilizing Microsoft Office tools.

• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• No direct reports. May eventually have one (1) direct report as department expands.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) years of experience in project or program coordination and program management.
• One (1) year of supervisory, managerial, and/or leadership experience.
• Proven experience and success managing cross-functional projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with quality, timeline, and budget objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to apply project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile, Six Sigma) to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining work plans and standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and manage expectations of high-level and high-profile internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing and delivering effective presentations to senior-level executives.
• Strong communications skills with the ability to communicate effectively across business levels.
• Ability to support multiple assignments and stakeholders, prioritize workload for self, and coordinate with direct reports to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Experience in SharePoint site maintenance and development.
• Experience with project management software.

• 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.
• One year of experience is substituted for a nationally recognized or statewide/professional certification in a related field.

Preferred Experience and Required Skills

• PMP, Agile, Six Sigma or similar certifications.
• Knowledge of transit systems and operations.
• Experience in Massachusetts local, state and federal government.
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.