Senior project coordinator

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 Project Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting the Quality Compliance and Oversight (QCO) team through the administration, coordination, and execution of cross-functional projects across the MBTA. This position is responsible for ensuring that QCO projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with organizational and regulatory standards. The role provides essential support in operations, planning, and logistics—including coordinating and attending key meetings, producing meeting minutes, maintaining accurate databases, and assisting with special projects and departmental needs. The Senior Project Coordinator contributes to both day-to-day operational efficiency and long-term quality and compliance goals by managing data, streamlining communication, and proactively improving processes and workflows.

The MBTA Quality, Compliance & Oversight Office was established in 2022 in response to the FTA’s Safety Management Inspection Report. The mission of the department is to bring about broad transformative change to the MBTA while addressing the deficiencies noted in the report.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead point of contact for project updates, ensuring strategic and timely communication with both internal and external stakeholders across departments.
• Coordinate and schedule internal and external meetings involving diverse stakeholder groups; manage high-level correspondence and effectively present project information.
• Provide both administrative and strategic operational support to cross-functional project teams.
• Guide project teams in identifying business requirements, setting priorities, and aligning tasks with broader organizational objectives.
• Organize and prioritize complex workloads across multiple projects; ensure timely follow-up and proactive issue resolution.
• Work independently on high-impact, time-sensitive initiatives, exercising sound judgment and minimal supervision.
• Lead the creation and version-controlled maintenance of critical project documentation, including business requirement documents, traceability matrices, process maps, and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain comprehensive and accessible records of project artifacts such as meeting minutes, plans, and performance reports.
• Prepare professional-grade charts, reports, presentations, and visual data outputs for executive stakeholders using Microsoft Office Suite and MBTA systems.
• Track and analyze project milestones, schedules, budget vs. actuals, and resource utilization; generate trend insights to inform decision-making.
• Evaluate project health by identifying and escalating scope, schedule, or resource risks; propose mitigation strategies.
• Take the initiative to lead improvements in policies, procedures, and project processes through data-driven analysis and cross-functional input.
• Promote and implement the use of centralized databases and digital tools to improve project transparency, workflow efficiency, and data accuracy.
• Develop and maintain project dashboards and reports that support leadership visibility and operational performance.
• Assist in processing consultant contracts, amendments, change orders, payment claims, and requisitions, with a focus on compliance and audit readiness.
• Monitor contractor budgets and expenditures; evaluate vendor performance and recommend process improvements where applicable.
• Review and validate monthly invoices from consultants and contractors; ensure financial documentation is submitted accurately and on time.
• Attend off-site and high-level stakeholder meetings as necessary to represent project interests.
• Provide onboarding support.
• Perform other senior-level duties and special projects as assigned by leadership.

• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Four (4) years of experience in project administration or coordination duties.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Database, and PowerPoint.
• Effective and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, confidentiality, multi-tasking, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to effectively communicate with customers, employees, and vendors.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.

Substitutions Include

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes 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.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Construction Management, Economics, Business Administration or related field.
• Six (6) years of experience in project administration or coordination duties.
• Experience providing project support in a transit and/or design or construction environment.

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.