Dir Contract Administration - Contract & Claims Management - 90377690 - NY/PHL/DC/WIL/BAL/BOS

Your success is a train ride away!

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.

Are you ready to join our team?

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.

This position can be located in either New York NY, Philadelphia PA, Baltimore MD, Wilmington DE, Washington DC, or Boston MA.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Director of Contract Administration leads a team of contract administrators to provide contract management support to the Amtrak Capital Delivery (CAPD) organization through the Contract Management Center of Excellence. This role works directly with the Project Managers, Project Contract Managers, Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTR), Procurement Contracting Officers (COs), and Law to establish the project specific contract management framework to manage the construction contracts through project completion. Provide contract and claims management expertise, training, systems support, and assist with commercial strategy development to address change orders, claims, and disputes. This role will work with project teams to establish the contract and claims management framework and implement project specific procedures for new and existing projects. Oversees Sr. Manager Contract Administration and Lead Contract Administrator.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Directs/oversees contract administrators responsible for contract management support.
• Ensure contract compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including FAR, across the CAPD portfolio.
• Develop and implement claims management strategy and process for CAPD projects.
• Develop job aids, templates, and training to build business acumen and capabilities for managing construction claims.
• Supports resolution of complex contract and commercial inquiries regarding risks, issues, contract obligations and revisions needed on active CAPD projects.
• Conducts regular workforce analysis with CAPD project delivery and engineering teams to ensure appropriate COTR and CM resources are in place to support CAPD projects.
• Delivers training for CAPD CMs and COTRs regarding change management, negotiations, preparation of independent cost estimates, and other contract management functions.
• In conjunction with the Procurement & Supply Chain team and Law, develops, disseminates, and implements contract management best practices.
• Communicates and works closely with departmental peers and CAPD project teams across functional areas to build contract administration influence and set appropriate policies and direction.
• Leverages best practices and makes decisions based on the best interests of Amtrak.
• Proactively engages all of the relevant internal parties in cross-functional activities to achieve shared goals and metrics to achieve success.
• Effectively creates and uses written material, oral presentations, and verbal interchange, and be at ease working with business leaders and executive staff.
• Regularly reports out progress and significant developments to senior management.
• Interfaces directly with end-users, suppliers, Amtrak senior leadership, attorneys and government agencies as needed.
• Development and mentoring of contracts professionals are critical aspect of this position.
• Facilitate smooth transition from Award to Execution with the support of the Project team throughout life of the projects

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, engineering, construction management or equivalent with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expert contract management practitioner with strong focus on claims management, contract administration, cross departmental collaboration, team building, and engagement.
• Highly motivated and self-directed.
• Mastery with independent judgment and make solid business decisions within scope of the project and 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.
• Working knowledge and proficiency in PC based applications, including SharePoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, MS Project.
• Strong project and program management skills; Strong focus on collaboration, team building, and customer service.
• Must have work authorization in the United States.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience negotiating and administering various contract types of varying sizes and types of agreements within the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.
• Experience managing and resolving contractor claims on construction projects.
• Able to build constructive and effective relationships and use them to maneuver through complex situations.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills – oral and written.
• Ability to provide subordinates with guidance, direction, motivation, and training to ensure cost-effective acquisitions, good negotiating strategies, value-analysis techniques, in-depth market research of market trends, and new contract administration and negotiation techniques.
• Ability to effectively manage in a fast-paced environment with frequently changing priorities.
• Embraces learning new tasks, both complex and simple, to maintain effectiveness in this position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Infrastructure construction program and contract management.
• Experience managing contracts in the transportation industry environment.
• CPCM, PMP, CCM, or other relevant certification in good standing preferred, but not required.
• Knowledge of FAR and other government regulations.
• Proven record of accomplishment improving business processes and delivering measurable results.
• Transportation industry experience preferred but not required.

WORK ENVRIORNMENT:

• Works inside a climate-controlled environment.
• Uses a personal computer to access standard office automation software and Amtrak-specific applications to perform a variety of tasks, including communications, creating and reviewing documents, and analyzing information.
• Performs tasks that require sitting for an extended period.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Requires travel via a variety of modes and work during irregular hours.

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, 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.

Requisition ID:163058
Posting Location(s):New York; Delaware; District of Columbia; Maryland; Massachusetts; Pennsylvania; Virginia

Work Arrangement:04-Hybrid Weekly 
Job Family/Function:Research & Strategy 
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.