Deputy Director of Contract Management

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 Deputy Director of Contract Management will be responsible for the Office for Transportation Access’s (OTA) overall management of The RIDE’s paratransit contracts and oversight of associated vendors. The Deputy Director of Contract Management will lead the definition and monitoring of contract requirements and specifications, ensuring adherence to contract standards and established KPIs. The Deputy Director of Contract Management will work closely with other departmental teams to monitor and oversee RIDE service and will regularly collaborate on managing contractor performance, enhancing current service, and developing and implementing new initiatives and services.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee contract management for all paratransit contracts, including establishing contract requirements and developing procurement and contract documents, including dedicated service provider, non-dedicated service provider, the paratransit operations control and call center, Mobility Center, fleet vehicles, fuel, and other contracts.
• Leads contract performance evaluation, reviews with providers, and obtains feedback, developing and implementing corrective action plans when warranted.
• Monitors KPIs and reports for management by analyzing and summarizing information regarding contractor performance.
• Participates in the review and recommendation of initiatives to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of internal processes or programs.
• Maintains responsibility for the document control system for contracts, procurement documents, correspondence, and related records.
• Lead monitoring and auditing contract expenditures, manage and track all contract budgets, and oversee the processing of monthly invoices.
• Works with the OTA team and MBTA Procurement to ensure procurement and contracting processes occur in a timely manner
• Ensures all departmental finance and contract documents responsibilities are met, including submitting requisitions and managing departmental approvals
• Participates in the design, procurement, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of paratransit contracts.
• Assist in the review of federal and state requirements for providing public transportation to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned.

Supervision

• Two (2) Contract Administrators

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) years of experience developing or managing contracts or service delivery programs
• Two (2) years of leadership, people management, and/or project management experience.
• Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, with emphasis on Excel and PowerPoint
• Effective organizational, analytical, time management, interpersonal, and multi-tasking skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills with the ability to influence people at all levels of the organization, both vertically and horizontally
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce
• Have excellent customer service skills and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to travel to locations throughout the MBTA's service area that may not be accessible by fixed route service
• Commitment to MBTA's diversity and inclusion goals

Substitutions Include

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of work experience implementing transit service delivery programs may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An Associate's degree from an accredited institution 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:

• Experience with public procurement, contract management, consulting and/or project management
• Experience managing and mentoring staff
• Demonstrated knowledge of the transit/paratransit industry

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 pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in 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.