Director Infrastructure Optimi

JOB DESCRIPTION

Director, Infrastructure Optimization & Technology Improvements Marketing Statement

Metro is seeking a self-driven and collaborative Director to advance technology improvements within the Infrastructure Organization, reporting through Work Planning and Maintenance Improvement. This leadership role requires strong business acumen and financial literacy, practical technical expertise, and the ability to translate operational needs into effective data, dashboard, and business intelligence solutions that improve planning, decision-making, and performance across the organization.

The Director will partner closely with internal stakeholders, infrastructure leaders, and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for process improvement, strengthen the Power BI ecosystem, and deliver tools that support measurable business outcomes. This role calls for a proactive leader who takes initiative, builds alignment, and drives continuous improvement through technology-enabled solutions that enhance both internal performance and Metro's service delivery.

Job Summary

The Director, Infrastructure Optimization & Technology Improvements leads benchmarking, development, and execution of initiatives and technologies that enhance reliability of the Authority's fixed assets, including 98 stations, 9 rail yards, 260 miles of mainline track, and related systems, parking structures, and vertical transportation. The role oversees asset data capture, key performance indicators reporting, trend analysis to drive data-based decisions and continuous improvement in maintenance planning and processes. The Director collaborates with Infrastructure leadership, Senior Executive Team, the Board, and stakeholders to ensure clear communication and alignment, and partners with Operations, Safety, Planning, and the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission to ensure initiatives comply with all policies, procedures, and regulations.

Principal Job Duties

• Manages and oversees teams from stakeholder offices and staff responsible for capturing and reporting useful asset maintenance metrics and key performance indicators, supporting data-driven planning and decisions.
• Develops and manages the processes required to implement strategies supporting proposed and approved initiatives and special projects, including contracting structure, risk transfer, scheduling and associated cost-benefit analyses.
• Leads and manages strategic initiatives and projects in support of Authority goals and priorities.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the strategy for infrastructure maintenance improvements, to include track access; the coordination of maintenance and inspection activities; and the implementation of technical/technological solutions that expand the Authority's ability to identify areas for improvement.
• Conducts research and benchmarking for enterprise solutions on complex Infrastructure challenAges. Develops recommendations, based on research conducted, to Infrastructure senior leadership.
• Coordinates with the Digital Modernization organization to identify or develop technological solutions.
• Liaisons and builds relationships throughout Metro, with the Senior Executive Team, and with external partners on matters related to department priorities, project progress, and other matters as needed.

Safety Sensitive

• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Knowledge

• Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of project management, to coordinate, review and provide expert management for assigned projects and programs.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, and coordination or people and resources.
• Knowledge of contract development and management, including effective risk transfer mechanisms for the procurement of various goods and services.
• Knowledge of principles and best practices of an effective state of good repair programs supporting fixed rail assets.
• Strong technical acumen with deep knowledge of rail principles of operation and asset management.
• Sufficient understanding of technical requirements and capabilities to evaluate the proposed value of the solution in terms of maintenance efficiencies.
• Knowledge of railroad asset maintenance metrics and best practices in gathering, analyzing, and standardizing data to yield useful key performance indicators supporting predictive maintenance and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of Authority rail operations and the potential impact of maintenance and capital improvement efforts to current and future operations.
• Sufficient knowledge to oversee the review of preventive maintenance and inspection schedules; develop strategies for improving inspection execution and coordination and develop schedules for non-RSA maintenance and MCAP activities.
• Sufficient knowledge to oversee the coordination of track access and the establishment of standards ensuring that access is optimized for planned and unplanned maintenance activities.
• Understanding of the Authority's strategic plan as it informs the priorities established within state of good repair programs.

Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Long range planning and resource allocation skills
• Skilled in negotiating solutions with counterparts throughout the Authority
• Demonstrated skill in maintaining and managing rail transit assets

Abilities

• Ability to distill complex issues clearly and concisely
• Ability to determine appropriate level of information for intended audience
• Ability to develop and motivate people, through direct supervision and indirect influence
• Ability to generate creative solutions for novel challenges, for which there is no clear precedent or guidance
• Ability to generate and analyze alternatives against a set of criteria or preferences to demonstrate basis for recommendations, including cost, schedule, and impact to revenue service and passengers
• Ability to plan work, identify risk, and potential mitigations and develop optimal solutions
• Demonstrated ability to track multiple concurrent tasks and/or work activities
• Ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks or priorities and effectively manage resources to Authority's best interest

Machine, Tools, Equipment, Software, Hardware Required

• Standard office equipment
• Personal Computers
• Mobile devices
• Copiers
• Printers
• Phone Systems

Supervisory Responsibility
Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning, scheduling and reviewing work, ensuring quality standards. Is responsible for hiring, terminating, training and developing, reviewing performance and administering corrective action for staff. Plans organizational structure and job content.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education

• A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction, Business, Management or related field

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years of collective experience in any of the following: Project management, engineering, construction management, contract administration, procurement, financial management, and/or asset management to include, at least five (5) years in a supervisory/managerial capacity, managing or leading a staff of employees

Minimum Certification/Licensure

• Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Certification, Level 2 within six (6) months of hire and maintained for the duration of time in job

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with bidding process

ABOUT US

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro, is the region's leading public transportation provider. Serving a 2,054-square-mile jurisdiction, Metro operates six rail lines, 98 stations, 126 bus routes, and Metro Access, a shared-ride paratransit service. As one of the nation's busiest transit systems, Metro connects communities, supports economic growth, and provides safe, reliable transportation.

Evaluation Criteria

Consideration will be given to applicants whose resumes demonstrate the required education and experience. Applicants should include all relevant education and work experience.

Evaluation criteria may include one or more of the following:

• Skills and/or behavioral assessment
• Personal interview
• Verification of education and experience (including certifications and licenses)
• Criminal Background Check (a criminal conviction is not an automatic bar to employment)
• Medical examination including a drug and alcohol screening (for safety sensitive positions)
• Review of a current motor vehicle report

Closing

WMATA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal law.

This posting is an announcement of a vacant position under recruitment. It is not intended to replace the official job description. Job descriptions are available upon confirmation of an interview.