Director, Capital Assets Project

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility.

The Director of Capital Project Management in Real Estate Assets will lead a team of senior managers and project managers responsible for executing multiple projects within real estate portfolios/programs (Stations and Maintenance Centers). They oversee all aspects of assigned projects throughout their lifecycle to ensure completion in terms of scope, quality, schedule, and costs while meeting the defined business unit requirements. They ensure resource allocation accuracy throughout the projects and develop hiring plans. They lead multidisciplinary teams (direct or indirect links) to successfully create and deploy projects. Additionally, they establish annual objectives and the budget.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the prioritization process of real estate portfolio projects in collaboration with the business function owner. Approve business and project plans, including schedules, budgets, and resources (securing resources and team formation). Define the procurement and bidding plan in collaboration with Procurement Management. Participate in the bidding process, select suppliers, and administer contracts according to VIA’s appropriate standards;
• Maintain regular communication with project/portfolio stakeholders and prepare monthly progress reports presented through the standard governance process. Ensure continuous oversight and control. Compare progress against the plan, ensuring compliance with scope, schedule, and costs while ensuring completeness and quality of all deliverables. Identify and manage project dependencies and critical paths. Manage change requests proactively related to scope, schedule, or costs. Identify major project issues and risks and act as a leader to resolve them, initiating a mitigation plan if required;
• Assess post-implementation project results and make necessary adjustments. Provide coaching, mentoring, motivation, supervision, and evaluation for different teams, influencing them to take positive action and responsibility for their assigned work. Establish, develop, and strengthen business relationships essential for project success;
• Lead and manage a team of senior managers, project managers, and senior industrial specialists, including permanent employees and consultants. Recruit staff. Plan human resource needs and utilization, ensuring proper staffing of projects. Evaluate staff performance and guide the development of their necessary skills for project execution in coordination with other managers.
  
  

Requirements

• University degree in Engineering (postgraduate degree an asset);
• Extensive knowledge of PMI (Project Management Institute) processes;
• PMP certification or relevant experience in leading a project office;
• At least 15 years of experience in project and team management with hands-on experience in large-scale projects within manufacturing, construction, or public transit operations;
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program and portfolio management in a complex, multidisciplinary environment;
• Proven ability and experience in implementing project management methodologies and techniques;
• Bilingual in French and English.
  
  

Competencies

• Strong analytical, strategic planning, synthesis, and problem-solving skills;
• Advanced knowledge of governance frameworks for complex project portfolios;
• Expertise in financial management, budgeting, estimation, procurement, and contract negotiation;
• Ability to drive consensus toward the target solution while generating business value;
• High-level qualification in project delivery and initiative management in a complex environment with results-driven management;
• Leadership in multidisciplinary team management with demonstrated experience in managing high-level professionals;
• Adaptability to constantly changing priorities, requests, and schedules through strong problem-solving skills;
• Ability to mentor in analyzing situations and making project management decisions;
• High flexibility during periods of change and ability to quickly and effectively adjust to project modifications;
• Understanding communication styles of internal and external stakeholders from various disciplines;
• Proficiency in oral and written communications;
• Strong interpersonal skills fostering a stimulating environment;
• In-depth knowledge of Project Management Institute (PMI) processes.
  
  

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

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