Associate Director, Project & Program Management

Network Rail Consulting (NRC) is the international consultancy arm of Network Rail – the owner and operator of Britain's mainline rail system. We have been active in the North American, Australian and the Middle East markets since 2013 and have successfully delivered more than 150 consultancy contracts for government, public and privately owned organizations.

Through our consulting services in the United States (US), we are assisting both public agencies and private clients in the transportation sector to accelerate transformation efforts, make step-changes in major program delivery, and achieve leaps forward in areas such as asset management & maintenance, major projects, railway operations, strategic planning and advisory.

Our work is driven forward by our values: agile, always safe, care about people, collaborative, impartial and passionate .

Due to additional growth within our East Coast business, we are seeking an experienced transportation and infrastructure professional to join our team as an Associate Director, Project & Program Management.

In this role, you will serve as the assignment lead for client engagements, providing leadership across all phases of project and program delivery. You will be responsible for managing project teams, developing strong client relationships, and ensuring successful delivery of project objectives related to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk.

Working closely with clients, NRC leadership, and technical subject matter experts, you will lead multidisciplinary teams in the planning, development, and delivery of complex transportation and infrastructure projects. This role provides an exciting opportunity to take ownership of high-profile assignments, contribute to the growth of NRC's consulting practice, and help shape the delivery of transformational transportation programs across the United States.

Project and Program Leadership Serve as the assignment lead for client projects and programs, with overall responsibility for successful delivery. Lead multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate technical specialists to achieve project objectives. Develop and maintain project execution strategies, delivery plans, schedules, budgets, and risk management processes. Manage project performance against agreed scope, schedule, budget, quality, and stakeholder expectations. Provide leadership in identifying, mitigating, and managing project risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities. Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with contractual requirements, NRC procedures, and industry best practices. Establish effective governance, reporting, and performance management processes for client assignments.

Client Relationship Management Act as the primary point of contact for assigned projects and programs. Lead client meetings, workshops, presentations, and progress reviews. Provide strategic advice and project leadership to help clients achieve their business and operational objectives. Lead, mentor, and support project team members across multiple disciplines and locations. Allocate and manage resources to ensure efficient project delivery and utilization. Foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. Support the professional development of team members through coaching and knowledge sharing.

Commercial and Business Management Manage project finances, including forecasting, budgeting, revenue tracking, resource planning, and cost control. Monitor project performance and report on financial, commercial, and delivery metrics. Manage subconsultants, contractors, DBE/SBE partners, and other project delivery partners where applicable. Support contract administration and ensure compliance with commercial and contractual obligations.

Champion a strong safety culture across all project activities. Ensure compliance with NRC policies, client requirements, and applicable industry regulations. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Transportation, Business, Program Management, or a related discipline; Extensive project management experience within transportation, rail, transit, infrastructure, or related industries. Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary projects and teams. Proven ability to manage client relationships and serve as a trusted advisor. Experience managing project schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and project controls. Strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, from planning and development through delivery and close-out. Experience managing consultants, contractors, and stakeholder interfaces. Strong commercial acumen and financial management skills. Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, and stakeholder management capabilities. Ability to work effectively across multiple projects and competing priorities. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools.

PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project management certification. Experience delivering rail, transit, or major infrastructure projects. Experience with Primavera P6 or similar project scheduling software. Healthcare insurance premiums (100% paid for by us)

Flexible working opportunities

NRC supports flexible working practices, and we understand that life balance is an important part of our employees' lives. We offer a wide range of flexible work/life balance options such as hybrid (home/office) working, flexible working hours where appropriate.

Apply to this vacancy today and our Talent Acquisition team will review your application at the right time.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or veteran status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.