We are seeking a Manager, Program Implementation for our growing and highly productive team. We seek candidates with the skills to lead the execution of major ongoing initiatives, work with a complex group of stakeholders, and manage the processing of large datasets. Applicants should be experienced project managers with strong quantitative skills and a desire to improve U.S. passenger rail. We offer competitive pay and benefits, flexibility including hybrid (in-office and remote) schedules, and an opportunity to engage with passenger rail decisionmakers in a trusted and highly visible role.
Our organization is a multi-agency body comprising representatives from Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and 20 agencies from 17 States. Our staff is a small and growing team of highly motivated transportation professionals whose mission is to improve passenger rail service across the United States. Our focus is on the 28 State-supported rail services that connect major city pairs—like Los Angeles and San Diego, Seattle and Portland, Chicago and St. Louis, Washington and Charlotte, New York and Toronto, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, plus many more—and carry approximately half of all Amtrak riders nationwide.
Congress created and tasked our organization with overseeing how States make payments to Amtrak for their services; facilitating collaboration in areas like marketing, rolling stock planning, and reducing delays; and improving the data our members use to make business decisions.
Position Summary
The Program Implementation Manager will support organization members by overseeing the application, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Cost Model. The Cost Model is a database-driven process used to determine the States’ financial obligations to Amtrak. It is a centerpiece of the State-Amtrak relationship and is critical in supporting passenger rail.
The selected candidate will ensure the successful completion of all technical work related to the Model. The Manager will direct work by staff and consultants to ensure the Model is completed accurately and on time, oversee the development of the Model’s documentation, and identify and implement improvements to the Model’s design. They will also conduct data analysis, write research reports and memos, and field inquiries from staff at State departments of transportation and rail authorities.
In addition, the Manager will be responsible for managing the participation of all organization members in implementing the Cost Model. The selected candidate will build relationships with staff at Amtrak, USDOT, and State agencies, oversee a formal process for collecting stakeholder feedback, and ensure members have technical assistance to understand and interpret technical information. Most critically, the Manager will build consensus around the Model's results, ensuring the Committee formally approves it each year.
The successful candidate will be highly experienced at managing complex technical projects involving participation from various stakeholders and a diverse team. All applicants should be familiar with basic transportation planning principles and passionate about growing passenger rail in the U.S. The Manager will have the opportunity to work with management-level staff at State agencies, access a broad range of data sources that transportation providers depend on, and learn how passenger rail is planned, operated, marketed, and funded. Specific tasks will include:
• Manage the ongoing implementation of the Cost Model, including developing and maintaining project management tools, performing ongoing stakeholder communication, and overseeing the successful completion of technical work (including ongoing database development, the preparation and validation of cost data and operational statistics metrics, and the generation of reports)
• Build relationships with and generate consensus among staff at member organizations
• Manage a team of staff and contractors to ensure the successful completion of all project activities
• Develop and oversee stakeholder feedback collection and response systems
• Oversee the documentation of technical systems related to the Cost Model
• Represent organization staff in interfacing with an independent review of the Cost Model
• Oversee the development of online data repositories for internal and external stakeholders
• Oversee or analyze financial performance, cost trends, and rail operations
• Prepare and deliver presentations to high-level staff at Amtrak, FRA, and State rail agencies
• Prepare reports, plans, and reference materials for internal and external audiences (including media outlets, congressional committees, and the public)
• Assist staff at State rail agencies in accessing and analyzing financial and customer data
• Assist in planning and coordination of Quarterly Meetings
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Urban Planning, Economics, Public Administration, Finance, Data Science, or a related field
• At least four years of experience working with financial and/or transportation-related data
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience with quantitative research relying on database queries
• Comfort with presenting technical material to a broad audience; proven ability to create clear, compelling visuals
• Experience managing consultant projects
• Experience overseeing complex technical projects and communicating results to diverse audiences
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with inter-agency coordination or management of participation of diverse groups of stakeholders
• Familiarity or experience with database and/or software development, including direct experience in (or ability to manage others in) data manipulation using SQL or other languages
• Exposure to accounting principles or familiarity with transportation operating costs
• Familiarity with Amtrak and federal passenger rail policy
• Familiarity or experience with a Business Intelligence Platform (Tableau, Power BI, Zoho Analytics, etc.)
Location and Travel
In-person office locations include New York, NY, and Washington, DC. A hybrid schedule will be available; fully remote work may be considered for an outstanding candidate.
Some preference will be given to candidates who can commute to the New York City or Washington offices, but candidates from anywhere in the United States are encouraged to apply.
This role may require periodic travel (2-4 times per year) to quarterly meetings and other Committee activities.
EOE M/F/D/V
