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Senior Program Manager, Systems BRT

TransLink1 day ago
Hybrid
Vancouver, British Columbia
CA$117,600 - CA$176,400/per annum
Senior Level
full_time

Top Benefits

Extended Health coverage
Dental insurance
Transit pass

About the role

Marketing Statement A career at TransLink and our family of companies means working with people with a wide range of skills and perspectives, all teaming up towards a common goal: preserving and enhancing the region's world-envied quality of life. Together, we connect the region and enhance its livability by providing a sustainable transit and transportation network, embraced by our communities and people.

At TransLink we are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace, recognizing the unique value and skills every individual brings.

Looking for a great place to work where your contributions are valued and you can make a difference in a vibrant city? At TransLink, one of BC’s Top Employers, you'll help make Metro Vancouver a better place to live, built on transportation excellence. Put your future in motion!

Responsibilities PRIMARY PURPOSE

Leads the planning, governance and successful delivery of a particular Infrastructure Management and Engineering program involving significate scope, budgetary management, significant risk, impact and sensitivity. Supports the Director using a matrix management approach to oversee the progress of a portfolio of linked and interdependent projects within the program being led by Project Managers.

Key Accountabilities Manages the program throughout the program lifecycle. Develops and manages strategies, business plans, short and long term goals, and operating budgets and resources for the program, ensuring alignment to Divisional goals. Monitors the progress and keeps on track a portfolio of linked and interdependent projects led by various Project Managers across the department, in accordance with endorsed plans, to generate results and recommendations within designated time frames.

Contributes as a key member of the Infrastructure Management and Engineering team in identifying and taking action on risks and opportunities associated with the projects and alerting senior management to critical issues. Foresees strategic issues and mitigates in advance. Develops reports and presentations for senior management on a periodic and ad hoc basis. Keeps the Director apprised of the status of the program, collaborates with the Director on resolution of critical issues as they emerge.

Presents and reports the program progress, risks, expectations, timelines, interdependencies, milestones and key program metrics to the executive team. Provides suggestions and recommendations to the executive team on risk management strategy and program delivery solutions. Develops and manages program documentation, including program status reports and Program Steering Committee Material.

Develops and manages critical relationships with key stakeholders including the program sponsor, senior industry peers, and government officials, managing expectations, discussing complex and sensitive issues, and resolving problems. Develops and leads the Program Steering Committee. Actively participates in other various program related committees, fostering collaborative information sharing, problem solving and decision-making with project managers and other key stakeholders across the enterprise.

Manages reporting staff, including selection, development, coaching, managing performance, assigning/reviewing work and all other people management practices. Oversees contractors and consultants, providing work direction and monitoring contract compliance. Using a matrix management approach, oversees the progress of a portfolio of linked and interdependent projects within the program being led by various Project Managers in the department.

Qualifications EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

The competencies for this position would be acquired through completion of University degree in Engineering and/or Business, a Professional Engineering designation or eligible to register as a P.Eng. PMP certification is also required. Requires 8 years of previous experience in full cycle engineering project management for large and complex programs or projects.

Other Requirements Expert knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of project and program management.

Advanced leadership skills to provide coaching, development and performance management to reporting staff.

Advanced interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including negotiation skills as they relate to contracts and resolution of contractual issues.

Advanced analytical thinking and problem solving skills, to resolve critical and high impact issues.

Advanced financial acumen to allow for effective planning, management, and expenditure of operational and capital costs.

Advanced time management and organization skills to balance and coordinate effort across multiple, concurrent activities.

Advanced verbal and written communication skills.

Solid technical skills in business and project management computer applications and databases.

Other Information Recruitment Process: An applicant will be required to demonstrate their suitability for this position by meeting the minimum level of qualifications and experience in order to be invited into the selection process. A standard interview format will be used including general, scenario and behavioural descriptive interview questions.

The Systems Engineering department is responsible for delivering capital projects for the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC, or SkyTrain), Coast Mountain Bus Company (CMBC) as well as other stakeholders within the TransLink Enterprise.

Within Systems, The Senior Program Manager Will Report To The Director Of Systems Engineering. The Senior Program Manager Is Expected To

  • Oversee the delivery of the Systems scope in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, namely:

  • The Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) workstream; and

  • The Stations workstream

  • Organize the portfolio of BRT Systems components into a meaningful and cohesive set of programs to streamline delivery of individual projects, and be accountable for the scope, schedule and budget for the programs

  • Develop reporting structures for Systems scope in the BRT program, suitable for steering committees and external funding stakeholders, while minimizing the administrative workload for project team members

  • Manage, at the program level, individual project managers and other team members responsible for projects within programs, identifying and resolving dependencies and conflicts between projects

  • Manage risks across the Systems scope of the BRT program, identifying and executing mitigation measures for those risks

  • Provide direction to projects during project delivery, including design, implementation, and testing and commissioning

  • Establish roadmaps for the Systems scope of the BRT program, such that there is a defined strategy to identify, assess and prioritize work that needs to be completed within the program, seek and acquire capital funding, and manage external resources

  • Institute robust documentation practices to ensure knowledge, information and processes within programs are captured for the benefit of the organization and the wider BRT program

  • Work with senior management to ensure that projects within the Systems scope of the BRT program are delivered in accordance with corporate objectives and expectations

The successful candidate is expected to be familiar or have experience in at least one of the following areas:

  • Bus operations in a public transit environment
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), in areas such as:
  • Transit Signal Priority (TSP)
  • Automated Laneway Enforcement
  • Automatic Headway Management
  • Operational technologies used in transit applications, including, but not limited to:
  • Telecommunications
  • Phones
  • Distributed emergency voice communications systems
  • Public Address
  • Advanced Fibre Optic Communication Systems
  • Optical Transport Networks
  • Power
  • Power supply and distribution
  • Uninterruptible power supplies
  • Power systems for bus operations (in-motion charging, opportunity charging)
  • Security and Life Safety Systems
  • Access control
  • Closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems
  • Intrusion detection
  • Fire and Life Safety Systems
  • Fare Collection

Preference Is Given Towards Candidates Who Have

  • Extensive experience in managing projects and programs in industrial engineering environments, especially North American transit systems,
  • Extensive experience in implementing ITS systems for transit agencies in North America, including familiarity with all applicable codes and standards,
  • Experience managing multidisciplinary projects involving various stakeholders, including agencies, municipalities, transit operators, and vendors, and
  • Familiarity with adopting a Systems Engineering approach in delivering capital projects, in alignment with standards such as IEEE 15288 (Systems V-lifecycle).

The successful candidate will have the following direct reports, some of whom may have matrixed reporting

With Other Departments Within TransLink

  • BRT ITS project managers and project coordinators
  • BRT ITS system engineers
  • BRT ITS Lead Planner
  • Enterprise Architect, ITS (matrixed)
  • Bus Operations and Maintenance Lead
  • BRT Stations project managers and architects
  • BRT Stations planners and engineers
  • Support staff from consultants, contractors and vendors as may be necessary

For Reference, Other Programs Within Systems Engineering Include

  • Automatic Train Control
  • Telecommunications
  • Security and Life Safety
  • Power

Work Schedule 37.5 hours per week.

Work Designation Hybrid

This position offers the flexibility of working both on-site and remotely within B.C.

Rate of Pay The salary for this position ranges from $117,600 - $176,400 per annum. Actual salary offered will be based on education, experience, skills, and qualifications as they relate to the role.

We aim to provide competitive pay that reflects your professional background and expertise. We want to ensure our offer will align with your strengths considering experience, skills, and internal equity to offer a fair and equitable salary. The Total Compensation Package, which includes Extended Health, Dental, Transit Pass and enrollment in the Public Service Pension Plan as well as other employment offerings will be discussed in detail as your application progresses.

How To Apply Please click the 'Apply' button at the top right corner of the page or go to http://www.translink.ca/careers to apply for this position and view instructions on the process.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please save your (1) cover letter, and your (2) resume as one pdf document prior to uploading your application on-line.

Posting Date: September 16, 2025

Closing Date: Open until filled

Please note that only those short listed will be contacted.

Having trouble applying? Please view the System Requirements & FAQ's by going to http://www.translink.ca/careers.

Equal Employment Opportunity TransLink is committed to employment equity and building a diverse workforce, representative of the customers we serve and the many communities in the Metro Vancouver region. We welcome and encourage Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities to apply. Learn more about TransLink's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, simply email us at jobs@translink.ca.

About TransLink

Urban Transit Services
1001-5000

TransLink is Metro Vancouver’s regional transportation authority and as an enterprise, we’re proud to be one of BC’s Top Employers.

Stand on a street corner in Metro Vancouver and very likely, within a couple minutes, you’ll see us! We are the people and goods movers for our region. But, what does that mean?

We manage and operate an integrated regional transportation system — connecting communities by bus, rail, SeaBus, custom transit services, pedestrian and cycling paths, the Major Road Network and five bridges. Helping people and goods get from A to B — that’s our bread and butter. At the same time, we help deliver the region’s goal of creating a greener, more sustainable, more livable Metro Vancouver.

We serve 500,000 people a day — young and old from all parts of our region and all walks of life. We deliver them to the people and places that matter to them, and back again. Our employees are united by the common goal of delivering the best to our customers no matter where they work — the shop floor, in the drivers’ seat, planning for the future, managing our Compass Card system, keeping customers safe, or staffing our stations, just to name a few.

Our enterprise includes TransLink and three operating companies: B.C. Rapid Transit Company, Coast Mountain Bus Company, and Transit Police.

We’re delivering for today and planning for the future, and we’re always looking for top talent. Want to see where you fit in? Check out translink.ca/careers.