(12 Months Contract)
Metrolinx
 
Canada
$155,210 a year - Full-time
 

Job details
Pay
$155,210 a year
Job type
Full-time

Location
Canada

Full job description
Job Title - The Director, GO Expansion Sponsor

Job Duration - 12 Months Contract

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario. At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

Metrolinx is expanding the GO Transit Rail network to bring two-way, all day rail service every 15 minutes or better along core segments of the network. Union Station is the largest transit hub in the GO rail system and is undergoing much needed modernization to meet transit needs now, and in the future. There are multiple projects planned and underway at Union Station, all working towards the same goal – preparing the Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) for GO Expansion service levels. As Metrolinx plans for a faster and more frequent train service, it is considering options for a new rail fleet.

The Director, GO Expansion Sponsor – Union Station Rail Corridor & Fleet position directs multi-disciplinary project teams implementing the day-to-day management of high profile and politically sensitive projects, as noted above. Strengthens strategic project planning, improves coordination and decision-making through enhancement of governance mechanisms, enhances collaboration using project management approaches, assigning key functions and roles on a principled basis, clarifying roles, identifying external expertise and realigning resources, as appropriate.

Functional/Technical

Provides senior leadership and direction for the day-to-day project management of diverse teams consisting of external consultants, contractors, etc. Ensures that the assigned projects are correctly planned and executed to meet, or overachieve, goals, cost and schedule requirements as defined by Metrolinx.
Ensures coordinated project planning and management, including identifying and mitigating project risks, effective use of internal/external resources and the implementation of an overarching strategic communications strategy. Leads business process reviews related to projects and change management strategies while making decisions that reinforce a culture of continuous improvement.
Manages projects through the various stages providing advice and recommendations to the Vice President, Sponsor office, members of the senior management team and the corporate investment panel.
Provides subject matter expertise to project teams and integrates business information into the project design. Manages the work of external project advisors and specialists while ensuring integration of business information into accountable projects across Metrolinx.
Establishes effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders including passenger services, rail network outcomes and futures to ensure the wider strategic picture is reflected within business case development and project framework. Engages with external stakeholders (e.g. business and rail industry) to ensure effective and strategic communications strategies are in place.
Identifies opportunities, risks and applies political acuity and relationship management skills to analyze/assess and mitigate, as appropriate; develops and directs mitigation strategies that are in compliance with Metrolinx policies and processes. Monitors risks, constraints and contingencies to avoid additional project costs, penalties and delays and makes recommendations regarding investments and risks. Circumstances change and/or poor results are anticipated.
Directs the preparation of detailed reports (Board reports, presentations for major public meetings, etc.); edits and provides input to project staff prepared reports and/or proposals in response to Board and senior management requests, emerging legislative and regulatory requirements. Delivers, or supports the delivery, of presentations to the Board and/or at public meetings.
Acts as technical expert to the Vice President, Sponsorship and other senior managers and colleague directors on complex technical and financial issues relating to projects.
Customer/Stakeholder

Builds supportive and collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g. municipal officials, NGOs, landowners) during the preliminary planning, and business case development stages of transportation and land use planning projects to define requirements, support negotiations, identify / assess risks and address strategic project planning issues to address
Increases collaboration and clarifies clear accountability, decision making structures and implementation capability
Integrates formal and informal processes to communicate, influence and share information with program areas, specialists, contractors, consultants, partner business units/divisions and stakeholders
Creates and maintains relationships with senior decision makers to protect and promote the public interest, the corporate reputation, vision, values and goals
Develops and builds upon working relationships with internal partners/stakeholders, external agencies and diverse interest groups to anticipate issues that may arise in the project delivery, supports negotiations on behalf of corporate interests and provides strategic advice on impacts on projects of inter-governmental negotiations
Works with Communications and Public Affairs to develop presentation materials and communications/public relations strategies, in preparation for meetings and presentations at high profile and potentially politically sensitive meetings with key stakeholders, interest groups and members of the public
Operational Excellence

Supports the Vice President, Sponsor Office by determining / developing project frameworks, drafting business cases, confirming funding, setting performance requirements and measures (KPIs), including the operational and projected timing requirements
Maintains a focus on the day-to-day project operations ensuring best practices in related industries and other jurisdictions are incorporated into project planning frameworks
Conducts the evaluation of project and program alternatives, including leveraging financial and procurement strategies to deliver on the projects; participates in studies and makes recommendations for executive decision-making on transformation changes within area of responsibility
Makes timely decisions clarifying the business context of projects and providing relevant direction
Leads the delivery of high-profile transformation change projects supporting the transformation of the organization.
Anticipates and manages project issues; supports the development of business cases to secure support for initiatives and new programs/projects; ensures that any (current or anticipated) organizational changes do not compromise the project
Financial Stewardship

Monitors project progress to ensure that project planning objectives are delivered on time and within budget. Meets service delivery objectives and manages project activities within budgetary limits
Directs and monitors the development and management of project budgets
People Leadership

Creates a working environment that is aligned with the organization’s desire to be a “best company to work for”, ensuring that people resources possess the required skills, are properly aligned, and are provided with the resources to do the job
Demonstrates leadership and core competencies at a high level of development and is an exemplary model of living the corporate Values and Code of Ethics
Provides senior leadership oversight and direction to project teams (e.g. defines team member roles, responsibilities, and expectations); delivers timely feedback to ensure an optimum use of team skills; manages project team and monitors work assignments for adherence to timelines; monitors the achievement of performance objectives; develops and implements action plans to address performance gaps
Identifies opportunities for innovation while leading project teams to achieve deliverables; provides/ensures subject matter expertise is available in the area of complex transportation planning projects
Provides creative thought leadership with input from others to develop and deploy the project sponsor’s strategic vision; connects and aligns projects with strategic corporate goals
Provides on-going project management feedback and development planning
Participates in the grievance and bargaining process, as appropriate.