Director of Capital Program Planning at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – Boston, Massachusetts

The Director of Capital Program Planning for Capital Strategy will manage and lead collaborative decision-making processes to shape the MBTA’s capital program through the development of a long-term capital plan that looks beyond the scope and horizon of the MBTA’s multi-billion-dollar five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP). In partnership with stakeholders across the organization, this position will oversee and implement MBTA-wide policies and processes to define, develop, prioritize, and fund capital programs and projects aligned with the agency’s strategic priorities and system needs. In particular

The position will oversee a team of one senior manager and one analyst. This position will have demonstrated experience in strategic planning, resource management, policy development, budget development and management and/or project management. The Director must be comfortable working independently and across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and negotiation and conflict management skills are required.

• Develop a long-term capital plan that will guide and inform the annual process to update the MBTA's five-year CIP, working closely with the MBTA leadership team, asset owners, project managers, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the development and implementation of long-term and large-scale planning efforts such as the Program for Mass Transportation (PMT), the MBTA’s 25-year capital plan, and Full T Ahead, the MBTA’s long-term vision for delivering better service across all modes of transit.
• Lead efforts to mature internal decision-making frameworks to support a data-driven and informed prioritization exercise that aligns the MBTA’s capital program with the goal and needs of the agency.
• Support efforts to continually improve the integration, utilization and analysis of asset and capital project data to support a more robust understanding of the agency’s capital investments needs and the alignment of those needs with available funding sources and agency goals and objectives.
• Develop executive-level and public-facing presentations, reports and memos to effectively communicate details about the MBTA’s capital program, competitive funding strategy and on-going status updates.
• Lead cross-functional working groups of internal stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop a range of policies and guidance to support the MBTA’s capital program.
• Support the development of the Capital Planning Department, including hiring, training, and managing staff as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to continuously improve MBTA policies, processes, data collection and reporting to maximize the impact of capital investments.
• On relevant matters, liaise with external partners, including the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization and other State entities such as the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
• 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.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Supervision

• Direct supervision of Deputy Director and/or Analysts.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Government, Economics, Urban Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of relevant progressively responsible experience overseeing planning, grant writing, or project management processes.
• Five (5) years of supervisory, managerial, project management, and/or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience and results in collaborating with an executive team to drive organizational change.
• Highly organized with ability to manage time, resources and people with an exceptional ability to handle multiple programs simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, analytical and presentation skills with ability to obtain buy-in with key stakeholders at all levels of the organization and influence their decision-making.
• Demonstrated data-driven decision-making skills, ability to conduct program analysis and identify key performance indicators.
• Ability to learn quickly, take direction and work independently and to use creative, collaborative and consultative approaches to resolve issues.
• Advanced expertise in MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint and database applications.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and work in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and motivate staff, particularly in a public sector environment.

• 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 and 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 (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Public Administration, Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture, Planning or a related field.
• Experienced and comfortable communicating with the press, the public, and elected officials.
• Experience in planning, budgeting, or project management processes in a public agency or within the transportation industry.