Vice President, Rail Operations

Job Description To apply for this position, please send your resume directly to our recruiting partner, K&A, at View email address on click.appcast.io . Resumes submitted through this portal will not be considered. Who We're Looking For The Vice President of Commuter Rail Operations provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the transition of commuter rail services from a fully contracted operating model to a directly operated organization for rail transportation and maintenance with contracting to a new contractor for maintenance of way and signal systems. This role is responsible for establishing the safety culture, operational framework, workforce strategy, maintenance integration, regulatory compliance, and performance management systems necessary to successfully internalize rail operations while maintaining safe, reliable, customer-focused service. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Transition Management Lead the strategic transition from contracted rail operations to a direct operations model, including phased implementation planning, organizational design, risk mitigation, and operational readiness. Develop and execute a multi‑year transition roadmap addressing staffing, training, systems integration, policies, asset management, and service continuity. Establish operational governance structures, enterprise governance frameworks, standard operating principles, KPIs and executive performance accountability mechanisms. Advise the CEO, executive leadership, and governing boards on transition risks, operational impacts, and long‑term strategic opportunities. Build and lead the internal rail operations workforce, including recruitment, training, certification, succession planning, and leadership development. Collaborate with People and Culture teams on workforce transition strategies, employee engagement initiatives, labor planning, and organizational change management. Establish operational training and qualification standards in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration regulations. Rail Operations Management Provide executive oversight for daily commuter rail operations through subordinate leadership in operations, dispatch, maintenance, and service delivery. Ensure operational performance meets or exceeds safety, reliability, on‑time performance, and customer experience goals. Lead the development of operational control center strategy and enterprise emergency management capabilities. Oversee incident management, service recovery protocols, and business continuity planning. Safety & Regulatory Compliance Champion a strong, systemwide safety culture aligned with FRA, OSHA, and applicable state regulations. Execute and continually improve the Rail Operations Department safety strategy within the System Safety Program Plan. Support the Authority’s Safety Management System by embedding safety and security considerations into all operational decisions. Oversee development, maintenance, and authentic governance of operating rules, timetables, bulletins, and supplemental instructions. Direct FRA‑required inspections and ensure timely implementation of corrective action plans. Ensure compliance with federal railroad regulations, including 49 CFR Parts 200–299. Represent the Authority as GCOR and ensure enterprise adherence across divisions. Provide oversight of regulatory compliance programs, including drug and alcohol programs and reporting requirements. Safeguard operations by addressing prohibited conduct under Title 49 CFR 240.305. Maintenance & Asset Coordination Partner with maintenance leadership to align rail operations with fleet availability and state‑of‑good‑repair objectives. Support integration of maintenance‑of‑way coordination processes and operating schedules. Collaborate on capital planning, investment strategy, and prioritization for rail infrastructure improvements. Financial & Contract Management Develop and manage operational budgets, transition‑related expenditures, and long‑range financial forecasts aligned with agency strategy. Oversee vendor and contractor relationships to ensure accountability, continuity of service, performance outcomes, and risk mitigation. Identify opportunities for operational efficiency, cost optimization, and performance improvement initiatives. Oversee contracts for Maintenance‑of‑Way and Signal Systems during transition. Stakeholder & Executive Engagement Serve as a primary operational liaison with government agencies, senior officials, regulatory bodies, emergency responders, and community stakeholders. Prepare and present Board‑level updates, transition progress reports, and strategic recommendations. Foster collaborative relationships across departments for cross‑functional integration during transformation. Direct and manage department personnel, hiring, training, work assignment, and performance evaluation, in coordination with vendor and consultant staff. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field preferred. Minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in passenger rail or railroad operations, including senior executive leadership experience. Three (3) years experience at a class 1 freight railroad highly preferred. Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale operational transformation, startup, insourcing, or transition initiatives. Experience working within a regulated railroad environment and knowledge of FRA/FTA requirements. Strong financial, organizational, and strategic planning experience. Additional Preferred Qualifications Experience transitioning services from third‑party contract operations to direct operations. Experience with commuter rail startup, expansion, or operational integration projects. Experience working with governing boards, elected officials, and public‑sector stakeholders. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Executive‑level leadership and organizational transformation capabilities. Strong strategic planning and change management expertise. Deep understanding of rail operations, safety systems, and regulatory compliance. Ability to lead through ambiguity and complex operational change. Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and negotiation skills. Strong analytical and operational decision‑making abilities. Ability to build high‑performing teams and establish organizational culture during transition. Advanced knowledge of Federal, State and local regulations pertaining to railroad signaling engineering, design, construction, operation and maintenance. Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent technical report preparation abilities. Ability to perform investigations of railroad accidents and false clear signals. Expert-level knowledge of railroad operating practices, rules, and procedures and their relationship to signaling/train control, freight commuter train operation, maintenance and test. Knowledge of Positive Train Control, rail transit control and wayside grade crossing signal design, operation and maintenance. Working knowledge of the relationship of the signal/train control systems and track and rail vehicles. Knowledge of project management methods, principles, and practices including risk analysis, scope control, and quality assurance. Interpersonal skills and customer focus with the ability to handle daily challenges and adjust to adversity. Work Environment and Physical Demands Work performed primarily in an office environment with minimal exposure to hazardous conditions. Must be able to stand, sit, reach, lift up to 20 lb, use a computer for 6–8 hours, and adapt to interruptions. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disability to perform essential functions. As an onsite position, primary workplace is a CapMetro facility or field location; expected to work in office 4+ days a week. Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity CapMetro is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. CapMetro makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organization needs at the time. #J-18808-Ljbffr CapMetro