Senior Manager, Governance & Special Projects

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

The Senior Manager, Governance & Special Projects position is part of a multi-disciplinary project team implementing the day-to-day management of high profile and politically sensitive projects. This role participates in strategic project planning, improves coordination and decision-making through enhancement of governance mechanisms, enhances collaboration using project management and sponsorship approaches.

This role requires you to be in-office, 5 days per week

What will I be doing?

• Provides senior leadership and direction for the day-to-day project management of diverse teams consisting of external consultants, contractors, etc. Ensures that the assigned projects are correctly planned and executed to meet, or overachieve, goals, cost and schedule requirements as defined by Metrolinx.
• Ensures coordinated project planning and management, including identifying and mitigating project risks, effective use of internal/external resources and the implementation of an overarching strategic communications strategy. Participates in business process reviews related to projects and change management strategies while making decisions that reinforce a culture of continuous improvement.
• Manages projects through the various stages providing advice and recommendations to the Vice President, Business Management office, members of the senior management team and the corporate investment panel.
• Identifies opportunities, risks and applies political acuity and relationship management skills to analyze/assess and mitigate, as appropriate; develops and directs mitigation strategies that are in compliance with Metrolinx policies and processes. Monitors risks, constraints and contingencies to avoid additional project costs, penalties and delays and makes recommendations regarding investments and risks.
• Prepares detailed reports (Board reports, presentations for major public meetings, etc.); edits and provides input to project staff prepared reports and/or proposals in response to Board and senior management requests, emerging legislative and regulatory requirements. Supports the delivery, of presentations to the Board and/or at public meetings.
• Participates in supportive and collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders (e.g. municipal officials, NGOs, landowners) during the preliminary planning, and business case development stages of transportation and land use planning projects to define requirements, support negotiations, identify / assess risks and address strategic project planning issues to address
• Supports collaboration and clarifies clear accountability, decision making structures and implementation capability
• Integrates formal and informal processes to communicate, influence and share information with program areas, specialists, contractors, consultants, partner business units/divisions and stakeholders
• Makes timely decisions clarifying the business context of projects and providing relevant direction
• Supports the delivery of high-profile transformation change projects supporting the transformation of the organization
• Anticipates and manages project issues; supports the development of business cases to secure support for initiatives and new programs/projects; ensures that any (current or anticipated) organizational changes do not compromise the project
• Acts as a leader in a working environment that is aligned with the organization’s desire to be a “best company to work for”, ensuring that people resources possess the required skills, are properly aligned, and are provided with the resources to do the job
• Demonstrates leadership and core competencies at a high level of development and is an exemplary model of living the corporate Values and Code of Ethics
• Provides leadership oversight and direction to project teams (e.g. defines team member roles, responsibilities, and expectations); delivers timely feedback to ensure an optimum use of team skills; manages project team and monitors work assignments for adherence to timelines; monitors the achievement of performance objectives; develops and implements action plans to address performance gaps
• Identifies opportunities for innovation while leading project teams to achieve deliverables; provides/ensures subject matter expertise is available in the area of complex transportation planning projects
• Provides creative thought leadership with input from others to develop and deploy the project sponsor’s strategic vision; connects and aligns projects with strategic corporate goals
• Provides on-going project management feedback and development planning

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Degree in Planning, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, Public Administration, Marketing or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrated years' of management experience developing corporate projects and strategies in a similar function, preferably in the public sector. Rail sector and project delivery experience are assets. PMP designation is an asset.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in transportation or transit within multi-jurisdictional and multi-modal environments, including leading multidisciplinary teams, managing competing priorities and ensuring accountability for project delivery.
• Strong knowledge of applicable legislation, policies and practices, including the Metrolinx Act, Places to Grow Act, Planning Act, Employment Standards Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, collective agreements, accessibility and accommodation requirements.
• Extensive project management knowledge across planning, engineering, construction, contract administration and accounting, including project management methodologies, contract law and delivery practices.
• Proven ability to establish project objectives, develop and monitor budgets, conduct cost-benefit assessments, prepare approval submissions, manage resources and ensure projects meet scope, schedule and financial requirements.
• Strong financial and administrative management skills, including competitive tendering, contract management, forecasting, expenditure controls, financial reporting and audit requirements.
• Highly developed strategic, analytical and organizational skills, with experience in business process re-engineering, change management, transformational initiatives and resource optimization.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, mediation and influencing skills, with demonstrated political acuity and the ability to resolve complex project and contractual issues across organizational boundaries.
• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical information, prepare reports and recommendations, influence senior executives, and use project management software to monitor performance and delivery.

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

If you’re excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

Accommodation:
Metrolinx is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are also committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point during the hiring process, please contact us at: 416-202-5601 or email [email protected].

Application Process:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Metrolinx will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time-sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate.

For Internal applicants, with the recent implementation of the Internal Mobility Policy, the internal recruitment process has changed for non-union roles. Candidates must be in their current role for 12 months prior to applying for another role and each applicant must be in good standing (not participating in a Performance Improvement Plan). Please review all provisions of the policy before submitting your application.

Should it be determined that any background information provided is misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.