Senior Technical Program Manager

Job Description

Randstad is seeking a high-performing Senior Technical Program Manager to join our client, Amtrak, in driving large-scale, enterprise-wide technology transformations. Operating within the Project Management Office (PMO) and reporting to a Senior Program Manager, you will play a pivotal role in coordinating cross-functional project teams, directing project managers, and delivering critical IT hardware and software initiatives for Amtrak s new rail fleets. This role requires a self-directed leader proficient in formal PMP project controls including tight management of scope, schedule, and budget who can seamlessly collaborate across departments such as Marketing and Train Operations, as well as manage key external vendor relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Program & Project Oversight: Lead and coordinate complex, multi-departmental technology programs and project teams supporting new fleet rollouts across the Amtrak enterprise.

Team Leadership: Direct technical leads, project managers, and third-party consultants/contractors to ensure operational readiness and successful end-to-end execution.

PMP Project Controls: Maintain rigorous governance over program scope, schedule, and budget using MS Project Professional and Enterprise Project Management (EPM) tools; identify, track, and report variances.

Vendor & SOW Management: Oversee external vendors and sub-vendors, evaluate RFP responses, author Statements of Work (SOW) for product delivery and ongoing support, and ensure deliverables meet contractual specifications.

Documentation & Governance: Develop and maintain essential project artifacts including Project Charters, Management Plans, Architecture Inputs, Test Plans, and Implementation Plans and lead initiatives through formal Quality Gates and Portfolio Reviews.

Risk & Change Management: Publish ongoing risk assessments, implement mitigation strategies, maintain SharePoint project repositories, and produce weekly status reports for executive stakeholders.

Qualifications

Experience: 7+ years of hands-on program and project management experience delivering large-scale IT and technology infrastructure initiatives from initiation through rollout.

Leadership Capability: Proven track record of managing and directing other Project Managers with high autonomy in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.

Technical & PM Governance: Demonstrated expertise in formal PMP project management methodologies, project controls, and enterprise-level budget/schedule tracking.

Software Proficiency: Proficient with MS Project Server (EPM), MS Project Professional, SharePoint, Visio, Excel, and standard MS Office tools.

Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interface effectively with internal business partners, technical leads, and vendor partners.

Education & Certification: Bachelor s degree in Project Management, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. PMP certification strongly preferred.

Location & Travel: Based in or near Washington, DC or Chicago, IL (Remote/Hybrid options available); willingness to undertake occasional travel to Chicago for fleet site visits.