Director- Rail and Transit

SYSTRA Canada is part of the SYSTRA group, an international consulting and engineering group, a world leader in the design of transport infrastructures. SYSTRA Canada is an engineering and consulting firm whose primary focus is to offer transportation solutions, whether for passengers or goods: feasibility studies of building a new railway line, increasing the capacity of the existing infrastructure, privatization of a railway.

Context

This role involves leading rail and transit projects, overseeing teams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality projects while fostering innovation and client satisfaction. The Director of Rail/Transit will drive technical excellence, manage operations, and deliver the design and construction.

Missions/Main Duties

• Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide strategic direction and overall management of all construction activities on assigned subway project segments from planning through to revenue service.

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with delivery service providers and stakeholders to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to negotiate partnership agreements aligned with project objectives.
• Meet regularly with client leaders, delivery and stakeholder leaders to assess progress, resolve issues, and mitigate risks.
• Tailor communication to various stakeholder levels regarding project status, concerns, risks and actions.
• Plan and facilitate stakeholder meetings, including external stakeholders and internal senior leadership, to ensure transparent project communications.

Design & Construction Oversight

• Oversee and manage interfaces between the client, stakeholders, and delivery service providers.
• Work with architects, engineers, and contractors to develop innovative, sustainable design solutions that meet regulatory standards.
• Govern constructability development, alternative technical concepts, and design variances.
• Drive decision-making on complex design and construction issues using project intelligence from reports, risks, meetings, and schedules.
• Manage contractors, suppliers, and vendor relationships to optimize collaboration, resource utilization and mitigate project risk
• Monitor contractor performance across all project phases to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and quality standards.
• Conduct regular site inspections to verify adherence to safety protocols and project requirements.
• Reinforce acceptable standards of workmanship throughout all project stages.

Team & Resource Management

• Lead a large, multi-organization design compliance and construction teams, delegating responsibilities effectively.
• Assess and plan project resourcing, including resource allocation and capability, to align with comprehensive task requirements.
• Mentor direct reports and ensure cascading guidance on construction, design, scheduling, risk, quality and cost estimation.
• Monitor and manage staff performance to ensure alignment with performance objectives.
• Promote an inclusive, diverse and high-performing team culture focused on continuous improvement.

Project Governance

• Advance scope, policies, and plans related to construction management, infrastructure development, system development, and change management.
• Ensure timely resolution of claims and disputes from design and construction contractors.
• Provide final review and approval of material planning for successful contract administration.
• Define and disseminate success criteria across the project lifecycle.
• Implement and manage changes to ensure the project is delivered in a controlled manner, adhering to cost, scope, schedule.
• Facilitate project focus meetings centered on service and project delivery.
• Develop evaluation methods to assess service effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Profile/Skills

• Minimum of 18 years of experience in construction services
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, or equivalent field
• Possess a proven track record in establishing and managing collaborative delivery partnerships within the construction industry
• Experience of progressive contract models, including PDB and/or Alliance
• Strong understanding of design principles and engineering methodologies
• Project management experience on large scale civil engineering projects, preferably rapid transit projects
• Experience working with a large team of technical professionals and large-scale contractors
• Demonstrated experience successfully managing the competing objectives of many external and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with experience managing a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including municipalities
• Experience overseeing tunneling projects, particularly within the context of underground station construction
• Experience and understanding of relevant regulations and industry best practices related to underground construction to ensure compliance and mitigate risks associated with tunneling operations

SYSTRA Canada is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce.

« SYSTRA Canada has an equal access employment program and encourages women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply. »

Note: In this description, the masculine gender is used for easy reading purposes and includes the feminine.