Senior Director of ROW Planning & Operations

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s core values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, culture, and accessibility, and each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.

The Senior Director of ROW Planning & Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the planning, coordination, and execution of Right of Way (ROW) access required to support maintenance, capital, construction, and infrastructure activities across the MBTA. Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Engineering & Maintenance (E&M), this role provides leadership and oversight to Construction Logistics, Maintenance Planning, and Maintenance Operations within the Infrastructure Maintenance Division. The Senior Director is accountable for the end-to-end ROW access program, ensuring that access to the ROW is safely planned, effectively coordinated, and efficiently utilized to maximize productive work opportunities while protecting employees, contractors, customers, infrastructure, and revenue service. The Senior Director works across E&M, Operations, Capital Programs, and other MBTA departments to establish access priorities, resolve competing operational and resource demands, improve the execution of maintenance and capital work, and drive continuous improvement in ROW access practices.

• Responsible for the ongoing enhancement of the customer experience by overseeing and directing all activities associated with safely and efficiently accessing the MBTA Right of Way (ROW) to perform maintenance and construction activities.
• Provide the Chief of E&M Infrastructure with ongoing leadership, direction, and information relating to the current state of ROW access planning and execution.
• Support all E&M functional areas: Engineering & Maintenance (E&M): Power Systems Maintenance (PSM), Signals & Communications Maintenance (SCM), Maintenance of Way (MOW), and Stations, Facilities, and Structures (SFS), and serve as a key leader capable of directing the department in the absence of senior leadership.
• Supervise staff in a heavily unionized environment and through Directors, Superintendents, Supervisors, and other front-line and administrative staff responsible for the planning, execution, and documentation of work performed on the MBTA ROW.
• Review, plan, and oversee construction projects and maintenance activities impacting MBTA service to ensure project safety and minimal impact to revenue service.
• Ensure all ROW access is planned and all work zones are protected in compliance with the applicable MBTA policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership and oversight of Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) activities and personnel responsible for establishing and maintaining protection for employees and contractors working on or around the ROW.
• Lead a team responsible for executing all aspects of service diversions on the MBTA network including readiness activities, staffing and supporting ongoing outages, and ensuring infrastructure is safely returned to service.
• Coordinate with teams to ensure RWP resources are appropriately assigned and deployed based upon work plans, operational conditions, safety requirements, and organizational priorities.
• Establish priorities when multiple maintenance, capital, construction, or emergency activities compete for limited ROW access, RWP resources, operational support, or available work time.
• Provide executive-level coordination during infrastructure failures, emergencies, severe weather, service disruptions, diversions, and other abnormal operating conditions.
• Identify systemic barriers to successful execution and work with ROW Access Planning and E&M leadership to improve future access plans, work packages, resource strategies, and operating processes.
• Lead teams to monitor ROW access compliance under the Operational Testing & Inspection Program (OTIP).
• Lead and monitor resource allocation decision-making, including operation and capital budget requests and implementation, alignment with strategic goals, and resource priorities; establish a strategy for defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for the department with clear definitions, milestones, and metrics.
• Through process development, data analytics, and strategic planning, provide the department the structure and support needed to strive for modernization of ROW access practices through improvements in planning, scheduling, coordination, or access procedures.
• Participate in the development and management of the department's annual operating and capital budgets, ensuring sound fiscal oversight of all resources.
• Ensure all inventory, equipment, facilities, and materials under their control are protected, maintained, and stored in a safe operating condition.
• Work with the Office of Administration to review and assess current and future staffing needs. Participate in all phases of the recruitment and selection of employees for the department.
• Ensure all employees have received the proper training to perform tasks, operate equipment and vehicles, and comply with Authority policies and procedures.
• Monitor and oversee any investigations into systems failures and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure the department's compliance with Authority policies and procedures, including compliance with all applicable safety standards, discipline processes, and mandated training.
• Establish and maintain sound union/management relations while upholding the rights and interests of management and adhering to collective bargaining agreements.
• Respond to each inquiry, whether from a customer, vendor, or co-worker, in a courteous and professional manner.
• Respond, directly or through others, and/or report to work for emergencies, extreme weather conditions, or any other abnormal conditions that impair service or the safety of service, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.
• Drive a company or personal vehicle to visit work sites and to assist at emergencies, service disruptions, and/or other events as needed.
• Uphold the rights and interests of the Authority while building and maintaining an effective relationship with employees.
• Assist in the management of a workforce by ensuring the fair and consistent application and strict adherence to the rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the Authority, including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment, and Anti-Retaliation policies.
• Perform related duties and projects as assigned.

• Leads a team of 20+ staff including Directors, Deputy Directors, Managers, Supervisors, and Coordinators.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Ten (10) years of experience in transit or industrial environments involving maintenance planning, construction planning/execution, and/or transportation operations.
• Seven (7) years of experience managing people and/or leading enterprise-wide projects in a transit or industrial setting.
• Experience developing and monitoring operating and capital budgets.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to executive leadership and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Excellent customer service and conflict resolution skills.
• Valid driver’s license in accordance with MBTA policy.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with a courteous and professional experience.
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with a diverse workforce.

• A High School Diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• An associate degree from an accredited institution with an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
• A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one year of experience.

• Experience monitoring and providing oversight to maintenance or construction projects impacting the right-of-way.
• Experience performing Roadway Worker In Charge (RWIC) or Employee In Charge (EIC) duties in a transit environment.
• Experience in rail transportation operations.

Job Conditions:

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
7. Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
8. On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
9. Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
10. ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
11. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and definitions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, veteran status, and immediate family members that you may find on the application form, please visit .
12. Intern / Co-Op Benefits: Employees taking part in an internship or co-op at the MBTA are eligible to receive accrued paid sick leave as well as a monthly transportation pass, based on the city from which the intern / co-op commutes to work, at no cost. However, no additional benefits are currently offered for interns or co-ops.