Program Director New Acela - 90374638 - Hybrid Washington DC (Washington, DC, US, 20001) - Amtrak

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As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

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Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
The Program Director will serve as the deputy Program Manager for the New Acela Program, a $2.3B program for the development and delivery of the next generation of high-speed trainset fleet and infrastructure improvements necessary to safely deliver faster service.  The new fleet will also expand from 20 to 28 trainsets, requiring modifications to existing maintenance facilities to serve the larger fleet.  Accompanying the acquisition is a fifteen-year technical support, spares, and supply agreement.  The Program is currently underway, with the acquisition and long-term service contracts executed, equipment being manufactured, testing initiated, and facilities being upgraded.  The Program will need to continue to follow a rigorous timeline to ensure key deliverables and dates are met leading up to initial revenue launch and through the completion of production; and to ensure customer satisfaction, fleet reliability, and the creation of new capacity for the Northeast Corridor.

The role requires an experienced Program Director, who will have a wide breadth of responsibility, and clear opportunity for growth.  The position reports to the AVP, New Acela Program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Works closely with the AVP New Acela Program, partner vendors, functional leads, and subject matter experts with Amtrak and consultant support to maintain program scope, schedule and budget; and ensure its execution.
• Works internally and externally to ensure trainset vendor is working with appropriate resources to best utilize advanced technology, trainset strategies, maintenance processes and cycles, quality control of build, training requirements, infrastructure preparation, scheduling requirements, and all other aspects of the Program to ensure successful execution and implementation.
• Leads by direct and/or indirect management the many internal and external resources providing functional and subject matter expertise to the Program.
• Establishes and maintains internal and external relationships and partnerships required to accomplish goals and objectives of the Program.
• Manages and monitors program cost and schedules, report progress. Maintains, adjusts and updates program plans, as needed.  Consolidates, communicates and manages all issues and risks affecting the program; and ensures the timely communication of program status to program participants and stakeholders.
• Leads and develops talent through effective performance management, talent evaluation, and by filling open positions with the appropriate mix of internal promotions and external recruitment to satisfy near-term performance and longer-term succession needs.
• Ensures program progress by measuring the variance in scope, schedule, cost and quality from the respective baselines and takes necessary action to address deviations.
• Identifies, documents, and leads the evaluation of changes based on cost, schedule, risk and scope impacts.  Ensures appropriate packet of relevant information to support appropriate program change and change control request decision processes.
• Establishes collaborative partnership among stakeholders to enable scoping, financial and resource decisions. Develops and maintains required program management artifacts in accordance with Amtrak Program Management standards and applicable regulations.
• Maintains a teamwork environment within all peers. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of program management.
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering or related field with a minimum of 13 years of relevant work experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience
• Relevant, demonstrated progressive management experience, preferably in the railway transportation or construction industry
• Demonstrated structured approach to Project Management and successful past delivery of major projects and programs
• Demonstrated experience with budget and financial controls, industrial relations, contract negotiations, continuous improvement methodology, and safety management
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and team-building skills
• Mastery level program management practitioner with strong focus on collaboration, team building, and customer service
• Highly motivated and self-directed
• Mastery with independent judgment and make solid business decisions within scope of the program
• Excellent analytical, mathematical, and creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Logical and efficient, with keen attention to detail
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks while under pressure
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, MS Project)
• Must have work authorization in the United States

MIMINUM KSA (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
• Master’s Degree in Business, Engineering or related field
• Experience managing programs in the transportation industry environment
• Demonstrated knowledge in applicable railway industry and state and/or federal regulatory requirements, including but not limited to AAR, FRA, EPA, OSHA, etc.
• Infrastructure construction program management
• PMP Certification in good standing Preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• Office building environment
• Work in cubicle setting; stand, sit, bend, twist, use file drawers
• Sit at computer to complete assignments, projects, and majority of tasks
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Occasional travel as needed

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is $163,000-$211,140. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID:161312
Posting Location(s):District of Columbia; Maryland; Virginia
Job Family/Function:Engineering 
Relocation Offered:No 
Travel Requirements:Up to 25% 
 

You power our progress through your performance.
 

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions. 

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen. 

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.  

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses. 

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.