Sr. Program Manager

WMATA Reference: 250560

Are you a talented and experienced planner with a passion for, and deep commitment to, public transportation and its customers? Are you driven by a desire to improve the DMV for everyone who calls it home, and to work with those communities to improve the transit customer experience and ensure the Metro System's long-term sustainability? Then you should join Team Metro! The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), one of the nation's largest public transportation agencies responsible for rail, bus, and paratransit operations, is looking for a Senior Planning Program Manager for the Regional Mobility Planning team in Metro's Office of Planning and Project Development.

Under the leadership of the Director of Regional Mobility Planning, this role will manage a small team that leads complex planning projects; organizes internal, multi-office working groups; represents Metro to external planning partners; and advocates for the needs and interests of Metro and transit customers in local and regional plans and funding programs. You will also manage the team's work turning data, research, and public input into medium- and long-term plans, policies, and programs.

Summary
The Senior Program Manager position requires effective and efficient overall program management, ensures program elements are completed within budget, scope, schedule, and the delivery of a quality product. The incumbent is responsible for collaborating with senior management to identify and establish quality improvement projects and programs in support of the Authority's overall goals and objectives. The scope coordinates the needs of the various offices, resolves conflicts that impact quality, and defines schedules and budget. The incumbent supports equipment and related procurements in accordance with a valid, executed contract, per company policies and procedures ensuring they are completed on a schedule and within budget guidelines. The incumbent makes decisions and recommendations that are recognized as sound and have a far-reaching impact on the overall quality of the assigned project(s) and/or program(s). The incumbent initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key personnel and officials of other organizations within and outside the Authority, determines program needs and requirements, develops procedures and guides activities to meet deadlines. Responsibilities involve leading and directing a diverse staff and for the selection of personnel to ensure the highest level of staff competency in carrying out the Authority's goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Allocates costs to appropriate projects for the timely and accurate review and approval of applicable invoices, analyzes and reports the operating and capital budget expenditures, and authorizes capital expenditures for acquisition of new equipment or property to increase efficiency and services of operations department.
• Arranges for the coordination and controls consistent with project and program quality assurance and operational needs and assigns, directs, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
• Assists supporting offices in obtaining major approvals and agreements from city, state, and District of Columbia jurisdictions to assure project schedules and goals are met.
• Collaborates with senior management to develop organizational goals and objectives and modifies program(s) as necessary to ensure achievement of goals and objectives that are consistent with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)'s goals and objectives.
• Coordinates all major events on assigned project(s) by assisting various offices in solving mutually dependent items, calling conferences when necessary, and chairing meetings. Conducts status briefings for WMATA officers, the General Manager & Chief Executive Officer (GM/CEO), WMATA Board Members, federal, state, and local government offices as well as local civic organizations as required.
• Coordinates the development of the departmental urgent needs budget and projected expenditure curves working closely with the Project Managers and/or Managers. Develops and submits a project budget and issues appropriate progress reports to record project advancements or delays.
• Evaluates and analyzes performance based upon information gathered and recommends actions to ensure compliance and increase service reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness. Identifies problem areas, recommends corrective action and improvements, and ensures appropriate subordinate training is provided.
• Manages maintenance planning activities for the WMATA bus fleet.
• Maintains an overall master plan for all assigned capital projects within operations that includes board and/or executives' approvals, current status, cash flows (actual vs. forecast), schedule, completion dates, etc. and manages the submission of capital project deliverables to the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer's (EVP/CFO) office.
• Manages project prioritization and funding reallocation by working closely with the Operations' Assistant General Managers and the Director of Operations Performance, and manages project budgets and programs, expenditure forecasts, project milestones, updated schedules, and projected completion dates.
• Monitors assigned project(s) to ensure schedule adherence, accurate financial forecasting, compliance with polices and procedures and monitors and analyzes ongoing financial forecasts to assure compliance with the approved budget and WMATA's organizational goals.
• Monitors Operations Service contracts for budget and schedule adherence and evaluates quality of deliverable versus cost of service/product and negotiates, authorizes, and monitors fulfillment of contracts with equipment or materials suppliers.
• Oversees activities to establish priorities, requirements, and allocation of resources for program management and quality assurance while minimizing fiscal impacts and prepares management recommendations, such as proposed fee and tariff increases or schedule changes.
• Prepares reports or recommendations on transportation planning and provides a progress report to OMBS as well as the program's front office (Executive Level Team member) as required.
• Reports on assigned projects completed tasks, payments issued, problems causing delays, as well as any redirection of focus or that impacts project delivery timeline or strategy and recommends action to ensure compliance and increase service reliability, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Researches, recommends, reviews, and comments on all aspects of quality assurance, project management, operational requirements, and procedures to ensure that program needs, quality guidelines, and schedules are adhered to and are cost effective.
• Reviews development plans for transportation system effects, infrastructure requirements, or compliance with applicable transportation regulations and sets operations policies and standards, including determining safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods.
• Consistently develops and sustains cooperative working relationships with key personnel and officials of other organizations within and outside the Authority.
• Encourages and facilitates cooperation within the organization and with customer groups. Develop leadership in others through coaching, mentoring, rewarding and guiding employees.

The essential duties listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

Education
Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering or a related field.

In lieu of Bachelor's degree, a high school diploma or GED and four (4) years' experience in overall project and/or quality management to satisfy the minimum education requirement

Experience
Minimum of ten (10) years' experience in project management with at least three (3) years leading projects

Preferred
Master's Degree in Business, Engineering or a related field

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Medical Group:
Satisfactorily complete the medical examination for this position, if required. The incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of this position either with or without reasonable accommodations.

Evaluation Criteria:
Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal background check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety-sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing:
WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.

Application Deadline: 7/7/2025, 11:59 p.m.

To apply for this position, visit WMATA's Career Center

Equal Employment Opportunity