Invites Applications for
the Position of
Executive Officer, Highway
Project Management
Bulletin # 004192-001
The
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is conducting a national search for the position of Executive Officer, Highway Project Management. Ideal candidates will be highly skilled project managers with a proven track record of delivering on time and within budget. This position will report to the Deputy Chief Capital Management Officer. Serving as the Project Director of an Integrated Project Management Office, this position will be responsible for the successful construction of a ten mile High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on northbound Interstate 405 between Interstate 10 and Highway 101, known as the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Project. The project duration is anticipated to be four years, with an additional one year contract closeout period, for a total of five years. This high profile Project Director is responsible for the overall management of all Metro and Caltrans staff, including consultants, for the estimated project cost of $950 million. Successful completion of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Project may create opportunities for continuation of this position on other similar projects.
The Community –
The County boasts 63,000 acres of parks, lakes, trails,
natural areas, and gardens; the world’s largest and most modern small
craft harbor; and 31 miles of beaches along the coastline.
The Integrated Project Management Office Team
This significant project is the result of State of
The I-405 Sepulveda Pass Project will be developed and built under the direction of the new Executive Officer, Highway Project Management, who will be located in the Integrated Project Management Office (IPMO). There are numerous advantages to this management concept. These advantages include reduced management costs through the elimination of redundant positions and streamlined communications between Metro, Caltrans, consultant staff, and the Design Builder. The main objectives of the project management structure are to improve coordination, eliminate re-work of technical submittals, and ensure the development of a consistent quality design submittal.
A key element of the IPMO would ensure that Metro and Caltrans staffs are co-located with consultant staff and the Design Builder. This office will include all the disciplines necessary to direct the day-to-day activities of the project (design engineering, construction management, planning, cost and schedule, configuration management, community relations, environmental, third party coordination). Additional Metro and Caltrans staff, on an as needed basis, will be drawn from outside offices, respectively. The core functions of the IPMO are:
Project Engineering staff that provide direction and approvals to Design Builders’ design and engineering activities during project design and construction phases. The Design consultant will provide supplemental staff resources within the IPMO.
Project Construction staff that provide oversight and manage all aspects of construction including constructability reviews, safety, and quality. Construction management consultants would also provide supplemental staff resources within the IPMO.
Project Control and Administration staff will be responsible for detailed planning, establishing project cost and schedule baselines, performance measurement, and management reporting over the life of the project.
Quality Management staff will be responsible for establishing and directing the Project Quality Management Plan, which includes evaluating the quality effectiveness of the procurement of material, equipment and services, design, and construction of facilities and systems.
Construction Safety staff develop construction Worksite Safety Requirements that are issued as part of the Design Builder’s Contract. These requirements identify the minimum standards, which the Design Builder complies with as set forth in applicable local, state, and federal codes, orders, and regulations. The Design Builder’s Contract establishes compliance requirements to protect employees, public facilities, and property during construction.
Community Relations develop and implement a public outreach, stakeholder communication, and construction impact mitigation program specific to the communities in which the project is being built. Jointly with project management and the contractor, staff ensures that legal obligations are met as per the environmental documents and sets up auditable processes for tracking and resolving complaints for damages.
The core Project team members are responsible for coordinating, facilitating, and expediting project management work requirements in their respective areas of expertise, and for coordinating resources with the functional departments and consultants to ensure Project goals are met. Project team members, including consultants, report and respond to their respective IPMO Managers.
The Position of Executive Officer, Highway Project Management
The Executive Officer, Highway Project Management, a
position uniquely created for this project, will join a Metro leadership team
with the vision of leading the nation in safety, mobility, and customer
satisfaction, with a mission for continuous improvement of an efficient and
effective transportation system for
Typical responsibilities include:
Directs and oversees the performance of services by highway project management staff, consultants, and contractors for successful completion of projects;
Takes primary lead of the multi-agency Integrated Project Management Office for design/build highway projects;
Establishes, implements, and monitors short- and long-range project goals, budgets, schedules, progress, and strategies;
Monitors capital and operating budgets and adherence to policies and procedures;
Manages and directs third-party coordination and public affairs activities related to highway project design and construction;
Ensures all design and construction meet operations and maintenance quality standards and expectations;
Establishes and implements highway project policies, procedures, safety and work standards and controls;
Provides policy recommendations, technical assistance, and information to executive management, and departments involved in the design, construction, and management of highway capital projects;
Prepares and presents oral and written reports to executive and management staff, and outside regulatory agencies;
Develops and delivers quality design/build highway projects from inception to close-out on time and within scope and budget; and
Makes presentations to community groups and homeowner associations and provides periodic project updates to elected officials.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled California Licensed Professional Engineer with senior management experience in major highway projects that demonstrates pride in ownership and possesses excellent technical, interpersonal, and communication skills. Candidates must have proven skills and experience with major design build highway projects, large-scale capital project management, financial and budget preparation and administration, personnel management, and the ability to direct the overall engineering and construction for design/build highway capital projects.
The new Executive Officer, Highway Project Management will need to work effectively and collaboratively with all IPMO team members. This will require the ability to be dynamic, open to new ideas to improve and facilitate on-time within budget project outcomes, offer practical improvement recommendations, and follow-through towards successful project development and implementation.
While broad knowledge and technical expertise in major design/build highway projects is required, the challenges and opportunities involved with the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Project demand particular demonstrated expertise to successfully implement the vision for Metro. The ideal candidate will have personal characteristics that include being:
A strategic thinker, able to motivate others and engage in a collaborative, team-spirited work environment to contribute to the project’s overall success;
A highly ethical and forthright individual able to demonstrate integrity and professionalism;
An effective communicator, able to work with a variety of audiences and build consensus;
Able to identify and choose appropriate courses of action from multiple alternatives and anticipate the impact of such decisions. Able to exercise sound managerial judgment in the administration and oversight of complex highway engineering, construction, planning operations, and maintenance challenges;
Able to present technical information and concepts clearly, convincingly, and effectively, both orally and in writing;
Politically astute and skilled at implementing major highway engineering projects through an Integrated Project Management Team concept of significant magnitude that is dynamic and fast-paced;
Open, accessible, outgoing, and professionally assertive with a proactive and solution-oriented approach to decision-making;
A proven negotiator with a keen sense of technical, financial, and business acumen; and
A hands-on problem solver; creative and innovative in the management of people, contractors, and community groups that support the vision, mission, and programs of this complex and highly visible organization.
In summary, the Executive Officer, Highway Project Management will be a skilled executive able to provide outstanding leadership not only through the successful management of the Integrated Project Management Office Team, but also one who will be an effective communicator with excellent negotiating and networking skills combined with an aggressive approach to highway engineering, operations, and construction.
Minimum Qualifications
Education – Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
Experience – This executive position requires at least eight (8) years of successful top management experience in the design and/or construction of major design/build projects, including extensive experience managing highway projects.
Certification or License – Requires
Compensation
The starting annual salary range for the Executive Officer, Highway Project Management is $142,641 to $213,962. Placement within the stated range will be based upon the selected candidate's experience and salary history. In addition to a competitive salary, this position includes a car, relocation assistance, California PERS retirement (with 100% vesting after five years) and excellent executive benefits package. Further details on the benefit package can be obtained through Ralph Andersen & Associates.
The Selection Process
This position is open until filled; however, the first review of resumes will take place during early September 2008. To be considered, candidates must submit a compelling cover letter and resume; salary history; and six (6) professional references (should include two (2) supervisors, two (2) peers, and two (2) direct reports).
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
electronically via email to apply@ralphandersen.com.
References will not be contacted and education and employment history will not be
verified until mutual interest has been established and a release form has been
signed. Ralph Andersen & Associates will conduct the initial evaluation of
submitted materials to determine the best overall match with the established
criteria as outlined in this recruitment profile. Should you have any questions
regarding this position or the recruitment process, please call Mr. Robert Burg
at
(916) 630-4900. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.