Sr Program Dir - Mega Programs CHIP - 90374639 - Chicago

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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 Senior Director for the Chicago Hub Improvement Program (CHIP) is a critical, high-visibility, high-impact role for leading Amtrak’s mega program in Chicago and the Midwest. This role is entrusted with leadership for project development activities in Chicago, working in partnership with a complex and dynamic set of stakeholders. Central to this position is the understanding that CHIP cannot thrive without forging and maintaining strong partnerships. This role involves strategic management of the program, including planning, design, stakeholder engagement, overall project development and securing essential funding. The Senior Director ensures CHIP’s alignment with corporate objectives, working closely with a multitude of internal departments, and collaboration with partners such as the Illinois Dept. of Transportation, other state DOTs, freight railroads, elected officials and community stakeholders. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Direct the strategic planning and project development of CHIP, emphasizing infrastructure and station improvements for the Chicago Passenger Terminal District
• Foster vital partnerships for Amtrak with governmental agencies, freight railroads, and stakeholders to ensure the program’s success.  
• Lead funding strategies, negotiate and finalize partnership agreements, and manage the planning, engineering and design of capital projects. 
• Oversee a comprehensive project development program, coordinating multiple projects across multiple departments. 
• Utilize exceptional strategic and communication skills for effective internal and external messaging and coordination.  
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to direct reports and a matrixed team
• Produce analytical, tactical and strategic content, reporting directly to the VP of Mega Program Development and Coordination 
• Develop and implement a strategy for property acquisition, management, development and/or disposal of real estate parcels impacted by the CHIP alignment to maximize program goals and business performance
• Develop and champion business cases to gain internal and external support and funding
• Actively grows and manages a high-performing team, fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment, promoting equity and encouraging a wide range of perspectives to drive innovation and enhanced effectiveness 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree in business, planning, transportation, engineering, railroad operations or related field. OR equivalent combination of training, education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Minimum 15+ years of highly relevant experience including at least 5 years in the transportation industry

MIMINUM KSA (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
• Proven leadership managing large-scale infrastructure, transportation or development projects with a strong emphasis on partnership development 
• Expertise in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and negotiation
• Ability to work independently, lead a diverse team, and align program initiatives and timetables to broader organizational goals and priorities
• Extensive experience in coordinating multidisciplinary efforts to advance project development and secure funding 
• Extensive experience in highly visible, large-scale programs with multiple public and private stakeholders
• Demonstrated expertise in project management, regulatory compliance, risk management and financial acumen, ensuring projects meet stringent standards while delivering on time and on budget 

 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master’s degree in business or policy with an emphasis on quantitative, financial or economic analysis

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is $187,500-$242,892 for the Sr Program Dir position. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, 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.

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Requisition ID:161313
Posting Location(s):Illinois
Job Family/Function:Research & Strategy 
Relocation Offered:Yes 
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.