OPT Director Of Technical Program Management Jobs

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, culture, and accessibility, and 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 Technical Project Manager for Transit Technology will deploy and implement technology solutions administered by the MBTA’s Transit Technology division or other teams across the Transformation & Technology Department. The Transit Technology team is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining dispatching systems and other technology tools that enable MBTA Operations division to deliver safer, more efficient, and more reliable transit services.

This role will span across the MBTA’s modern civic technology teams (e.g., Software Engineers, Product Managers, UX Research & Design staff, Application Analysts) and the front-line operations departments critical for delivering transit service every day. The Technical Project Manager will use their deep technical IT knowledge, expertise at managing vendors, and technical understanding of transit operations processes to drive clarity and organizational change. They will manage and oversee smooth deployments of technical systems and ensure that feedback from operations stakeholders and users are part of technical teams’ iteration and maintenance processes. This role will be able to work successfully across different transit technology teams/topics, and maintain their own roadmap based on priorities set by MBTA leadership.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Implement Technology Solutions
  • Provide rapid-response project and information technology support during emergencies.
  • Identify, lead, and support technical initiatives to improve Operations processes and technologies, including but not limited to automation, consolidation, standardization, resiliency planning, and communication with stakeholders.
  • Define user requirements for system modification, enhancements, and integration.
  • Develop or work from detailed system and program specifications.
  • Develop related tracking metrics and reports for Operations.
  • Develop technical specifications, contract documents, schedules, and budgets.
  • Manage the preparation of user documentation and train users on application systems.
  • Prepare and maintain program documentation, including data flow diagrams and program turnover documentation.
  • Make recommendations for and scope system enhancements.
  • Work with technology teams to scope or manage technology feature development.
  • Work with MBTA Procurement to scope, initiate, and administer complex procurements of vendor systems/support while adhering to technology best practices.
• Project Management
  • Develop and manage comprehensive project plans—including scope, goals, budget, timeline, and deliverables—while prioritizing critical path tasks and resource allocation.
  • Communicate effectively through written and verbal channels, lead productive meetings, and deliver presentations with confidence and minimal oversight.
  • Provide regular updates on project status, timelines, and key metrics; document process milestones and lead retrospective evaluations to drive continuous improvement.
  • Identify and mitigate risks and blockers throughout all project phases, escalating issues as needed to maintain momentum.
  • Guide cross-functional teams to act with urgency and stay aligned with timelines, roadmaps, and deliverables.
  • Critically review project documentation to ensure feasibility, mitigate risk, and optimize planning.
  • Assist with the planning and coordination of overall project management workload and staff deliverables across MBTA Transit Technology teams.
• General
  • Be a committed, vocal, collaborative member of the Transit Technology division and push for excellence in any/all dimensions of its work.
  • Prepare project-related correspondence, reports, charts, and presentations.
  • Work independently in addressing complex tasks in a time-sensitive environment.
  • Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker, in a courteous and professional manner consistent with the Authority's Customer Service quality standard.
  • Visit work sites and/or attend off-site meetings throughout the MBTA service area.
  • Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

Additional responsibilities may include a focus on one or more departments or locations. See the applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.

Supervision

• No direct reports.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree field from an accredited institution in computer science, information science, project management, software engineering, civil engineering, planning, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience managing, implementing, or supporting the management and implementation of technical operations processes, including managing vendors and developing technical scopes of work to translate operational needs into technical requirements or implementation plans.
• One (1) year managerial, supervisory, and/or leadership experience.
• Working knowledge of agile technology software development practices.
• Experience with change management at a large organization or company.
• Understanding of agile software development lifecycle.
• Effective organizational, analytical, multi-tasking, time management, and documentation skills.
• Excellent customer service, conflict resolution, and presentation skills.
• Experience using online collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Asana, etc.).
• Effective organizational and analytical skills.
• The ability to use Word, Excel, and database applications.
• The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Effective interpersonal, organizational, analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Successful applicants must have English language skills required for the effective performance of the position.

Substitutions

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution, and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience, substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject may substitute 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 & Skills

• Four (4) years of related experience in programming, application support/development, project management, service planning, or transit scheduling.
• Additional years of experience managing, implementing, or supporting the management and implementation of technical operations processes, including managing vendors and developing technical scopes of work to translate operational needs into technical requirements.
• Experience working for a public agency.
• Experience in transit or transportation.
• Experience with statistical modeling or data science.
• Experience with support for or integration between transportation data, scheduling, dispatch, or timekeeping systems such as TransitMaster, HASTUS, TimeClock Plus, Automated Passenger Counters, or similar.

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 herein 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 hradaaa@mbta.com.

• 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.