GFT
Deputy Director of Transit and Rail – Operations
Join GFT as the Deputy Director of Transit and Rail – Operations and shape the future of public transportation across North America. This hybrid role requires regular office attendance at one of our GFT locations.
What You Will Do As Deputy Director, you will lead operational excellence, client delivery, and strategic growth for transit and rail programs. You will provide executive-level leadership on projects involving bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail, commuter rail, and multimodal corridor operations, ensuring operational readiness, safety, and performance.
Operational Leadership & Client Delivery
Lead GFT’s operational consulting portfolio, including service delivery analysis, operations planning, strategic planning, growth, and quality management.
Serve as a senior advisor to transit agencies on operational readiness for new or expanded BRT, LRT, and commuter rail corridors.
Develop and implement performance metrics and staffing strategies aligned with delivering the project portfolio.
Ensure operational integration across planning, design, and startup phases.
Program & Project Oversight
Oversee multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring quality, compliance, and schedule performance.
Act as Deputy Project Manager or Principal-in-Charge on key pursuits and contracts.
Provide QA/QC review of deliverables, ensuring adherence to GFT’s ISO‑aligned Quality Management System.
Support project risk management, change control, and contract compliance activities.
Strategic Growth & Market Development
Support the Transit & Rail Director in executing GFT’s North American growth plan.
Identify and pursue new opportunities with transit agencies, DOTs, and rail operators.
Develop proposal strategies, scope frameworks, and pricing approaches for operations‑related pursuits.
Represent GFT in industry forums, panels, and conferences (e.g., APTA, TRB, Mpact, WTS).
Team Leadership & Mentoring
Mentor and develop technical and operational staff across regional offices.
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Contribute to internal knowledge‑sharing and operational best‑practice frameworks.
What You Will Bring to Our Firm
Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related discipline.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in transit or rail operations management, planning, or consulting.
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑agency operational initiatives or service startups.
Strong understanding of FTA/FRA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and O&M practices.
Proven client‑relationship skills with the ability to communicate effectively at executive and technical levels.
What We Prefer You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
PMP, PE, AICP, or equivalent professional certification.
Experience with BRT, LRT, or commuter rail service activation and system testing.
Prior experience with NEPA‑to‑Operations transitions, FTA Small Starts/Capital Investment Grant projects, or value engineering.
Experience leading teams within a consulting or design‑build environment.
Featured Benefits
Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, pet insurance, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
Commitment to professional development, internal and external training programs, and support for active participation in professional organizations.
Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
Company Overview At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge to create the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ industry professionals.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third‑party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.
Location North America
Core Business Hours 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status Full‑Time
Salary Range $270,000 – $365,000 (Salary dependent upon experience and geographic location)
GFT requires the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
California Applicants Applicants in Los Angeles County, San Francisco City, and the State of California will be considered for employment in accordance with the relevant Fair Chance ordinances and acts.
Senior Level
Director
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Information Technology
Civil Engineering, Truck Transportation, Architecture and Planning
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What You Will Do As Deputy Director, you will lead operational excellence, client delivery, and strategic growth for transit and rail programs. You will provide executive-level leadership on projects involving bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail, commuter rail, and multimodal corridor operations, ensuring operational readiness, safety, and performance.
Operational Leadership & Client Delivery
Lead GFT’s operational consulting portfolio, including service delivery analysis, operations planning, strategic planning, growth, and quality management.
Serve as a senior advisor to transit agencies on operational readiness for new or expanded BRT, LRT, and commuter rail corridors.
Develop and implement performance metrics and staffing strategies aligned with delivering the project portfolio.
Ensure operational integration across planning, design, and startup phases.
Program & Project Oversight
Oversee multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring quality, compliance, and schedule performance.
Act as Deputy Project Manager or Principal-in-Charge on key pursuits and contracts.
Provide QA/QC review of deliverables, ensuring adherence to GFT’s ISO‑aligned Quality Management System.
Support project risk management, change control, and contract compliance activities.
Strategic Growth & Market Development
Support the Transit & Rail Director in executing GFT’s North American growth plan.
Identify and pursue new opportunities with transit agencies, DOTs, and rail operators.
Develop proposal strategies, scope frameworks, and pricing approaches for operations‑related pursuits.
Represent GFT in industry forums, panels, and conferences (e.g., APTA, TRB, Mpact, WTS).
Team Leadership & Mentoring
Mentor and develop technical and operational staff across regional offices.
Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
Contribute to internal knowledge‑sharing and operational best‑practice frameworks.
What You Will Bring to Our Firm
Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related discipline.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in transit or rail operations management, planning, or consulting.
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi‑agency operational initiatives or service startups.
Strong understanding of FTA/FRA regulations, safety management systems (SMS), and O&M practices.
Proven client‑relationship skills with the ability to communicate effectively at executive and technical levels.
What We Prefer You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
PMP, PE, AICP, or equivalent professional certification.
Experience with BRT, LRT, or commuter rail service activation and system testing.
Prior experience with NEPA‑to‑Operations transitions, FTA Small Starts/Capital Investment Grant projects, or value engineering.
Experience leading teams within a consulting or design‑build environment.
Featured Benefits
Hybrid (in‑person and remote) work environment.
Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, pet insurance, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
Commitment to professional development, internal and external training programs, and support for active participation in professional organizations.
Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
Company Overview At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge to create the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ industry professionals.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third‑party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.
Location North America
Core Business Hours 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Status Full‑Time
Salary Range $270,000 – $365,000 (Salary dependent upon experience and geographic location)
GFT requires the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
California Applicants Applicants in Los Angeles County, San Francisco City, and the State of California will be considered for employment in accordance with the relevant Fair Chance ordinances and acts.
Senior Level
Director
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Information Technology
Civil Engineering, Truck Transportation, Architecture and Planning
#J-18808-Ljbffr