Program Manager - Create Program

Description
Program Manager - CREATE Program
This is an Association of American Railroads (AAR) Chicago Planning Group (CPG) authorized position, headquartered in Chicago, as a full-time railroad resource to support the growing slate of projects funded within the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program. The position reports to the AAR Chief Engineer in Chicago and is located with and will interact continuously with the Chicago Transportation Coordination Office (CTCO) and the CREATE Partner railroads. The position interfaces with IDOT, CDOT, Cook Co., FHWA and FRA. AAR will undertake a candidate search for an individual with strong project management and railroad engineering skills for review by CPG leadership.
America's freight railroads operate the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound freight transportation system in the world - and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) is committed to keeping it that way. Founded in 1934, AAR is the world's leading railroad policy, research, standard-setting, and technology organization that focuses on the safety and productivity of the U.S. freight rail industry. AAR Full members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Amtrak. Affiliates and Associates consist of non-Class I and commuter railroads, including Metra, railroad supply companies, engineering, signal and communications firms, and car owners.
Key Responsibilities
Update and communicate Railroad CREATE Program Budgets and Financials:

• Implement transparent railroad budgets and project financial controls using project management or financial software
• Develop easy to access CREATE financial reports including budgets, expenditures, and forecasts
• Develop tools to effectively communicate this information to the railroads
• Reconcile railroad Project Funding Allocations with various IDOT CREATE financial reports
• Develop quality checks on various financial documents and correct deficiencies

Update and communicate Railroad CREATE Program Schedules:

• Develop, maintain, and communicate CREATE schedules for railroad projects
• Work with railroad project managers developing effective and accurate schedules and schedule priorities
• Develop tools to effectively communicate schedule status to the railroads
• Define critical paths, perform total float analysis, and periodically report project management status of critical activities and schedule risks
• Conduct recovery plan meetings, contingency planning, and schedule compression techniques to improve project performance
• Ensure that Program Schedule Reports completed on time, are accurate and consistent and effectively communicate the status of the active projects

Provide office management, administrative, and communications support:

• Coordinate and schedule railroad managed meetings for the Chicago Planning Group
• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, attendance and distribute materials
• Support AAR CTCO / CIROC network and server operation/connectivity
• Incorporate new technology and methodology in project management
• Process various CREATE and CTCO purchases and invoices
• Support visits by government and private agency officials
• Other duties as assigned

The above description of responsibilities is representative of the position and the knowledge and experience a successful candidate is expected to have when hired but is not intended to limit or preclude other responsibilities and tasks that may be associated with or added to the position based on the needs and strategic direction of the organization.
Requirements
Job Requirements

• Minimum five years of experience in project management software including financials, scheduling, and administration
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, financial, or a related discipline
• Outgoing, energetic personality, excellent verbal, and written communication skills, with strong organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively, independently, and to work under tight deadlines
• Infrastructure project scheduling experience using Primavera software
• Ability to aggregate and analyze data sets from diverse sources
• Ability to manage workload with minimal direct supervision
• Aptitude for interacting with people at all levels of management
• Experience managing public - private partnerships
• Project design and construction management experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite including Excel and Word
• Understand document control procedures
• Fully COVID vaccinated

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in engineering, mathematics, or business
• Skilled in the development of critical path schedules using Primavera P6
• Experience with railroad engineering, railroad operations, engineering consultant, or financial consultant
• Experience with public speaking and public presentations
• Three years' experience in rail project scheduling and budgets
• Knowledge of railroad operations, maintenance, and construction
• Professional Engineers License
• Project Management certification