Senior manager operational and design

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager of Operational Programs and Design assists the Deputy Director in leading strategic planning and execution of high-impact facility design and operations programs, ensuring alignment with the MBTA’s service, safety, and infrastructure goals. This leadership role directs complex, cross-functional initiatives, oversees teams and consultants, and sets technical standards for facility projects across the MBTA system. The Senior Manager ensures integration of operational priorities throughout project lifecycles and drives continuous improvement across programs and processes.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and lead complex programs related to facility design, maintenance, and operational planning for MBTA infrastructure.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor, ensuring operational needs are integrated into project design and construction phases.
• Advise internal teams and external consultants in the delivery of state-of-good-repair and capital projects; manage coordination across departments such as Capital Delivery, Technical Engineering Design, Engineering & Maintenance, and Safety.
• Develop and oversee engineering designs at all stages—from conceptual to final—ensuring alignment with MBTA standards, ADA, building codes, and environmental regulations.
• Create and implement technical standards, specifications, and operating procedures to promote consistency, efficiency, and performance.
• Oversee deployment and use of facilities technologies (e.g., BIM, CMMS) to support asset management, design tracking, and reporting.
• Prepare and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, and risk profiles; develop supporting reports and make feasibility recommendations to leadership.
• Lead QA/QC efforts to ensure quality and compliance across all facility programs and projects.
• Represent the Office in senior-level meetings, technical committees, and public forums; provide briefings and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Mentor junior managers and technical staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performance, and mission-driven team culture.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, planning, construction management or related field from an accredited institution. Minimum Experience and Required Skills
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in facilities or infrastructure design, engineering, and program management, including five (5) years in professional engineering roles (e.g., design, estimating, construction, or contract administration)
• Two (2) years in team leadership or large-scale project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex, large-scale public sector projects.
• Strong knowledge of transportation infrastructure, building systems, and regulatory compliance, including mechanical systems (HVAC, tunnel ventilation, fire suppression), civil/site/structural assets, plumbing, drainage, sanitary systems, and associated control systems.
• Familiarity with facility control hardware and automated monitoring systems.
• Proficiency in project management and design software such as AutoCAD, BIM, CMMS, Primavera P6, and Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and graphic applications).
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication, customer service, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, with experience engaging a wide range of stakeholders.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• A Massachusetts Professional Engineering (PE) license, a Registered Architect (RA) license, or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• A Master's degree in architecture, engineering, planning, construction management, business administration, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience with transit facility construction.

Substitutions Include

• A Master’s degree in a related subject substitute for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to 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.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting their positions and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

• General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
• Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
• Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
• Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
• Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
• Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
• On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
• Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
• ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected] .
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer . For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit mbta.com/careers-app-definitions .
• Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.