Salary : $224,214.12 - $291,489.12 Annually
Location : 3331 N First St, San Jose, CA 95134, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00088
Division: Office of the General Manager
Department: BART Program Delivery
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 10/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description

VTA is seeking an accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Director, BART Project Controls, supporting the delivery of one of the Bay Area's most significant capital infrastructure programs. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience leading project controls for large, complex capital projects, with expertise in planning, scheduling, estimating, budgeting, risk management, and project delivery.
This highly visible leadership role will partner closely with executives, internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and regional and federal partners to strengthen project controls, align financial strategies, and support successful program delivery. We're looking for a collaborative, analytical leader who can translate complex project and financial information into clear recommendations, build high-performing teams, and bring accountability, transparency, and innovation to major public infrastructure projects.
Definition

Under direction, the Deputy Director, SVRT/BART Project Controls plans, directs, and manages capital project controls and development activities for the SVRT/BART Capital Program.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is an At-Will Executive Management position and serves at the discretion of the General Manager/CEO. The incumbent manages VTA staff and consultants responsible for capital project controls and development activities within the SVRT/BART Capital Program, including planning, analysis, estimating, budgeting, and development of implementation plans. Capital project development responsibilities delegated to this position include identifying environmental planning and analysis requirements, developing project definitions and funding plans, and managing the production of information for submittal to funding agencies.

This classification is distinguished from the Project Controls Group Manager in that the latter has overall responsibility for all VTA capital project controls activities. The Deputy Director, SVRT/BART Project Controls manages project controls activities for the SVRT/BART Capital Program, and ensures program compliance with project controls standards, policies, procedures, systems, and initiatives.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and strategic executive with extensive experience leading project controls for large, complex capital infrastructure programs. They possess a strong background in capital planning, scheduling, estimating, budgeting, risk management, and project delivery, with demonstrated success overseeing multidisciplinary teams, and consultants.

This leader is comfortable working in close partnership with design, construction, and external affairs executives in a highly visible environment, providing executive-level recommendations, managing competing priorities, and ensuring compliance with project controls standards, policies, and procedures. They have the experience and judgment to partner closely with internal agency stakeholders to synchronize project-wide and agency-wide budgets and financial data. Those internal stakeholders are supportive of the project and its financial strategy; this leader's role will be to deepen the coordination to ensure ongoing success.

They excel at building partnerships with contractors, consultants, and oversight agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), BART, and other regional partners.

The successful candidate is an analytical problem solver and effective communicator who can translate complex technical information into clear recommendations for executive leadership and policymakers like the VTA Board of Directors. They have a proven ability to improve project controls processes, leverage technology solutions, manage funding and grant-related activities, and foster accountability while developing high-performing teams. A commitment to collaboration, transparency, innovation, and delivering successful public infrastructure projects is essential.
Essential Job Functions
Typical Tasks

• Selects, supervises, trains, motivates, evaluates, counsels and disciplines staff;
• Develops and implements capital project controls standards and procedures, monitors compliance and initiates corrective measures as necessary;
• Monitors capital project planning, scheduling, and reporting activities and ensures compliance with VTA requirements;
• Consults with project managers and division chiefs regarding project planning, scheduling, and reporting;
• Prepares, reviews, and approves detailed correspondence and reports;
• Prepares, reviews, and approves specialized, technical project schedules, charts, and graphs;
• Participates in the development and administration of the SVRT budget, including monitoring expenditures and recommending staffing levels;
• Assists in the development and implementation of technology solutions used to manage project controls;
• Represents VTA before Federal, State, regional and local agencies including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART);
• Develops and manages project definitions within the SVRT/BART Capital Program;
• Provides guidance and oversight to VTA capital project managers, staff, and consultants;
• Assists in the development of funding plans and facilitates grant funding activities;
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of capital project delivery methods and procedures;
• Oversees and participates in the training and development of VTA staff and consultants;
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Employment Standards

Sufficient training, education, and public or private sector management/supervisory experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four year degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Information Systems, or a related field, and extensive, increasingly responsible professional experience in public works projects or the construction industry, including several years of capital project management or supervisory project management experience in a large and diverse organization.

Note: Experience as an accountant will not be accepted in lieu of capital project management and/or engineering experience.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Public works project management and project management software applications (e.g. Paragon and Primavera);
• Enterprise resource planning systems as applied to capital project management;
• Principles of management and supervision, employee training and development, motivation, and effective discipline;
• Public sector planning, funding, operations, and construction activities;
• Risk mitigation and monitoring as applied to public works projects;
• Principles and practices of accounting and/or financial planning as related to public works projects;
• Practices and techniques used in capital project planning, funding, and management.

Ability to:

• Direct and manage consultants and subordinate VTA personnel;
• Analyze highly complex data, develop logical solutions to problems, evaluate, recommend and implement alternative solutions to complex issues and problems;
• Prioritize complex and demanding workloads;
• Manage project controls activities for multiple capital projects involving personnel from several departments, as well as consultants and vendors;
• Interface with management on priorities and program definition;
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Effectively represent VTA and VTA's interests before federal, state, regional, and local agencies (e.g. FTA, BART);
• Prepare and present comprehensive reports and recommendations;
• Resolve differences in points of view across multiple processes and organizations;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as "continuous," we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.
Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your application-including notices for testing and interviews-will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience-including experience with VTA-must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as "see resume" are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qua