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Job Description:
Parsons is seeking a dynamic Senior Rail & Transit Operations Planning Program Director to join our growing Rail and Transit business. This is a high-impact leadership role for a seasoned professional who thrives at the intersection of operations planning, project delivery, and business development. The ideal candidate brings a doer-seller mentality, combining deep technical expertise with the ability to cultivate client relationships and drive strategic growth.
Reporting to the VP of Rail and Transit, you will serve as a trusted advisor to our major clients, leading operational planning and implementation for complex rail and transit programs across North America and globally.
Operations Planning & Project Delivery
Lead the operational planning for brownfield upgrades, rail extensions, greenfield and new line transit implementations
Develop migration, cutover, and transition strategies to support existing services during system upgrades and modernization efforts.
Oversee implementation of critical operational systems including conventional and advanced train control, rolling stock, and State of Good Repair (SOGR) programs
Prepare and draft SOPs, Rule Books, and operational documentation for signaling, rolling stock, stations, and other major transit assets
Provide technical oversight of control center planning, layout, command and control structures, and HMI/user interfaces
Monitor operational performance metrics and implement innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and service delivery
Client Engagement & Business Development
Support development of qualifications and bid documentation for traditional bid build, consulting, alternative delivery such as design-build, and P3 contract types and assignments
Develop and present technical papers on Rail and Transit on the topic of operations, maintenance, and technology
Advance Parsons' position and market share in integrated construction and delivery joint ventures
Cultivate relationships with regulatory bodies, government agencies, and key stakeholders
Prepare strategic growth initiatives to expand the Rail and Transit business portfolio
Project & Team Leadership
Provide senior leadership and executive direction across various phases of mega rail programs
Ensure on-schedule, on-budget delivery of work in accordance with contractual obligations
Coordinate with project partners, contractors, suppliers, maintenance, engineering, operations, and systems assurance teams
Establish and oversee Project Management Plans, Safety and QA/QC documentation
Provide functional management of project staff as required
Travel in support of projects and proposals as needed
Required Qualifications
20+ years of operations experience with a transit agency, owner, or in an APM/subway/metro/commuter rail operations role
15+ years of experience supporting delivery of advanced train control systems in greenfield and brownfield environments
Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, or relevant Engineering
10+ experience with alternative delivery projects, such as Design-Build and P3
Proven track record in client-facing and industry roles at all levels
Combination of hands-on experience in implementing enhancements to service delivery and asset modernization
Experience liaising with regulatory bodies, government agencies and industry
Technical Knowledge
Deep understanding of all modes of rail and transit operations
Familiarity with systems governance, facilities, and services necessary to deliver passenger service
Experience with control center operations, HMI design, and human factors
Knowledge of asset management, O&M planning
Leadership & Business Development
Doer-Seller Mentality: Ability to deliver technical excellence while identifying and pursuing growth opportunities
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Experience developing operational strategies and long-term plans
Ability to prepare winning proposals and qualification packages
Track record of building and maintaining client relationships
Communication & Collaboration
Effective verbal and written communication skills for client presentations, technical reporting, and stakeholder engagement
Ability to work independently and as part of distributed teams across Canada and the US
Experience communicating with clients, contractors, and regulatory bodies at all levels
Strong computer skills including MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Crisis management and post-incident analysis experience
Understanding of budget development and cost accounting
GCC or international rail operations experience
Security Clearance Requirement:
NoneThis position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities around the world. We work in collaborative teams, both within the company and with our partners and customers, to plan, design, build, and modernize infrastructure. We take special pride in projects and solutions that improve communities as well as people’s quality of life by promoting economic growth, enhancing mobility, and increasing sustainability and resiliency. Powered by our people, we provide the imagination necessary to support our customers’ visions—and to help them see what's next!Salary Range: $176,900.00 - $332,400.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.
Skills Required
- 20+ years of operations experience with a transit agency, owner, or in APM/subway/metro/commuter rail operations role
- 15+ years of experience supporting delivery of advanced train control systems in greenfield and brownfield environments
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, or relevant Engineering
- 10+ years experience with alternative delivery projects, such as Design-Build and P3
- Proven track record in client-facing and industry roles at all levels
- Hands-on experience implementing enhancements to service delivery and asset modernization
- Experience liaising with regulatory bodies, government agencies and industry
- Deep understanding of all modes of rail and transit operations
- Familiarity with control center operations, HMI design, and human factors
- Knowledge of asset management and O&M planning
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities and experience developing operational strategies and long-term plans
- Ability to prepare winning proposals and qualification packages; business development experience (doer-seller mentality)
- Effective verbal and written communication skills for client presentations, technical reporting, and stakeholder engagement
- Strong computer skills including MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Crisis management and post-incident analysis experience
- GCC or international rail operations experience
Parsons Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Parsons Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by Parsons Corporation.
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs are framed as a major value driver, with an ESOP alongside a 401(k) match and additional stock-purchase options contributing meaningfully to total rewards. This structure is positioned as especially attractive for employees who value long-term wealth-building over immediate cash.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as broad and choice-rich, with multiple plan types (PPO, HDHP, and some HMO networks) plus dental, vision, EAP, and wellness resources. The availability of different plan designs and national-carrier coverage supports varied employee needs.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off offerings are portrayed as competitive, including PTO, holidays, flexible schedules such as a 9/80 option for eligible roles, and floating holidays in the U.S. Paid parental leave of 160 hours is also highlighted as a meaningful component of the overall package.
Parsons Corporation Insights
What We Do
Parsons is a digitally enabled solutions provider with a focus on making the world safer, smarter, healthier, more sustainable, and more connected. Founded in 1944, Parsons primarily serves the defense, security, and infrastructure markets. Uniquely qualified to deliver cyber/converged security, technology-based intellectual property, and other innovative services, the corporation delivers state-of-the-art solutions to federal, regional, and local government agencies as well as to private industrial customers worldwide. Parsons has a reputation for inclusion and diversity and has been named to the Ethisphere Institute’s list of World’s Most Ethical Companies for 10 consecutive years. Parsons facilitates a culture of innovation by encouraging collaboration among its employees and providing opportunities for career growth. With offices around the globe, people of varied talents and backgrounds, and a wide range of exciting projects, the possibilities at Parsons are endless. For more about Parsons, visit www.parsons.com. Mission: Delivering innovative infrastructure, defense, and security solutions to enable a more sustainable, safer, smarter, and more connected world.
