Director, Light Rail Transit (LRT)

Company Description

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Job Description

AECOM Mississauga is hiring a Director, Light Rail Transit (LRT).

The Director leads delivery of multi-billion-dollar LRT projects through planning, design, procurement, engineering, construction, commissioning, and transfer to Operations using an Alternative Finance and Procurement (AFP) delivery model. The role oversees technical and design services throughout the project lifecycle to ensure designs are compliant, safe, constructible, and cost-efficient, and coordinates with other programs to support overall program objectives.

The Director works across client, consultant, contractor, and internal teams to align technical, commercial, and delivery functions. The Director works closely with and supports the VP, contributes directly to project work as needed, and collaborates respectfully across organizational levels in a relatively flat hierarchy. The role calls for sound judgment, delivery accountability, coaching, and the ability to build trust and influence outcomes across organizations.

Responsibilities

Functional / Technical

• Lead delivery from conception and procurement through commissioning and transfer to Operations, within scope, budget, and schedule, following sound project management and construction practices and applicable standards and codes.
• Set and monitor project goals, engineering requirements, reference design reviews, technical performance specifications, document control, budgets, work breakdown structures, schedules, resources, and staffing.
• Direct assigned LRT line activities, including project finances, contracts, schedules, contractor adherence to reference designs and performance specifications, and support for program communications and intergovernmental relations. Provide strategic technical advice.
• Manage complex issues and risks, facilitate conflict resolution, communicate with stakeholders, and recommend corrective action when execution varies from plan.
• Coordinate with the Project Director, project team, design consultants, and other disciplines to align technical requirements and design information across alignments, geotechnical, utilities, tunnels, stations, and systems.
• Lead selection of designs, products, and techniques; conduct risk and opportunity reviews and value engineering workshops to develop cost-efficient solutions that provide value.
• Oversee technical consultant agreements and services, contribute to procurement strategy and bid documents, and ensure contract requirements are clear, achievable, and supported by design information at the required level of detail.
• Ensure design deliverables are scheduled to meet contract review, utility, stakeholder, permitting, procurement, estimating, and construction requirements.
• Monitor consultant and project team performance, identify issues, and support timely solutions.
• Provide strategic input to third-party development reviews and coordinate timely responses. Coordinate scope and schedules with stakeholders to mitigate conflicts and ensure designs align with project sponsorship requirements.
• Manage communications with the project sponsor or owner and stakeholders, including municipalities, property owners, utility companies, and authorities having jurisdiction. Prepare presentation materials and support the Project Director with presentations as required.
• Identify design and technical changes, issues, and scope creep; contribute to change management and resolve conflicts through early identification and problem-solving.
• Remain actively involved in day-to-day project work and work directly with the project team to address delivery needs as they arise.

Customer / Stakeholder

• Build and maintain effective relationships with contractors and internal and external stakeholders; work across organizations to resolve issues related to project deliverables.

Operational Excellence

• Implement performance measures and ensure project management and construction standards and procedures are followed throughout delivery.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and change, and provide senior-level sponsorship for initiatives that support organizational plans and operational mandates.
• Monitor business intelligence, industry activity, and technological developments; assess their impact and advise senior leaders on appropriate solutions.

Financial Stewardship

• Manage activities within approved budgets and schedules.
• Report financial and performance results, and significant cost, security, safety, human resources, or project management issues to the Deputy Program Manager.

People Leadership

• Build a high-performing work environment by ensuring teams have the required skills, alignment, and resources.
• Provide strategic leadership that connects projects with corporate goals; model organizational values and the Code of Ethics.
• Set clear roles and expectations, assign work, provide timely feedback, monitor performance, and address performance gaps while coaching staff and project teams.
• Work collaboratively across client, consultant, and contractor organizations, building trust and influencing outcomes to support effective delivery.
• Lead on employee and construction personnel health and safety, supporting a positive safety culture and compliance with corporate health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Assist the Project Director in establishing the organization and resourcing needed for high-performance delivery, collaboration, and project commitments.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in a relevant engineering discipline or architecture + 10 years of relevant experience in capital project management and implementation, including 2 years of leadership or a combination of education, training, and experience deemed equivalent
• Ability to travel to project sites and meetings as required.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is strongly desired

Preferred Qualifications

• Ideally 15 years of progressive experience in capital project management and implementation, including at least five years managing large, complex, multi-year transit projects.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or Architect (O.A.A) in the Province of Ontario is an asset.
• Knowledge of the Alternative Finance Procurement method is required.
• Project management, coordination, and senior leadership skills to oversee staff, project teams, and multiple teams within budget and schedule constraints, and to monitor performance against business objectives.
• Knowledge of construction engineering, construction processes, and value engineering; experience working directly with construction teams or supporting construction delivery is an asset.
• Knowledge of financial theories, principles, and practices; procurement; fiscal planning; modern controllership frameworks; business planning; estimates; expenditure and allocation processes; and capital funding decision-making.
• Leadership, interpersonal, presentation, communication, negotiation, and consensus-building skills, including the ability to manage diverse project specialists and consultants within established scopes, schedules, and budgets.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to manage complex project issues and risks and facilitate resolution; expertise in leading change, risk analysis, status reporting, and issue management.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic relationships across divisions and with internal and external stakeholders and clients.
• Knowledge of human resources legislation, including the Employment Standards Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act, to monitor and manage employees and contractors.
• Interpersonal, oral, written, and presentation communication skills to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

Additional Information

Newly created role

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Artificial intelligence will be used to support the screening, assessment, and selection of applicants for this role. Final hiring decisions are made by the hiring team.