Metrolinx connects communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe, operating GO Transit, UP Express, and PRESTO. They are expanding rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit, and Toronto's subway system. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, Metrolinx values equity, diversity, and inclusion.
This is an in-office position located at 130 Adelaide Street in Toronto. The team is highly collaborative, benefiting from in-person co-creation and relationship-building.
The Bus Sponsor & Network Planning Office is hiring a Manager, Bus Sponsor to lead the delivery of GO Bus and Bus Rapid Transit projects. This role involves strategic project planning, managing workstream interfaces, leading stakeholder engagement, and collaborating with subject matter experts to develop recommendations for senior leadership, aligning with corporate priorities. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-profile transportation projects in Ontario.
Responsibilities
The Manager, Bus Sponsor provides leadership and guidance to advance GO Bus and Bus Rapid Transit projects. This includes working with various teams and business owners to define project requirements across infrastructure, operational, maintenance, fleet, and customer experience areas. They lead and implement strategic plans, manage project and program interfaces between delivery workstreams, and oversee stakeholder engagement.
Key duties involve leading the capital project approvals process and preparing detailed reports that define a project’s scope, secure budget and funding, and ensure project readiness for advancement. The role oversees the development of business cases, environmental assessments, and design to inform decision-making on GO Bus infrastructure projects, such as new or upgraded bus facilities and GO bus on-street stops.
Working closely with the Director, Bus Sponsor, the Manager identifies opportunities and roadblocks, applying political acuity and relationship management to detect, assess, and resolve risks. They proactively identify decisions and address issues to provide clear project direction. This includes evaluating project alternatives, leveraging financial and procurement strategies, and participating in studies to make recommendations on project changes impacting benefits, scope, schedule, and budget.
The Manager leads projects and program workstreams by managing cross-functional teams comprising technical, commercial, planning, bus operations, asset management, and other supporting staff. They build and maintain relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including municipal officials, transit service providers, NGOs, and landowners, to foster new initiatives, develop partnerships, and strengthen transportation planning and project delivery. Project progress is monitored to ensure objectives are met on time and within budget, adhering to corporate objectives and budgetary limits.
Qualifications
Candidates should possess a degree in Planning, Engineering, Urban Studies, Architecture, Geography, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Demonstrated senior leadership experience in developing and delivering capital, operations, planning, or policy development projects within the transportation or railway industry, particularly bus, or other infrastructure sectors, is required.
An asset for this role would be holding one of the following professional designations: Project Management Professional (PMP) licensed by the Project Management Institute (PMI), Professional Engineering (P.Eng.) license recognised by the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), or Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation recognised by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), or a comparable professional designation.
The role requires strong leadership skills and experience with capital planning projects and initiatives in the transportation or public sector, along with knowledge of program and project planning and implementation theories, principles, and practices. Familiarity with public sector procurement processes, including alternative procurement models, and the ability to review and provide feedback to partners and stakeholders are essential.
Knowledge of transit planning, land-use planning theories, principles, and practices, and the role of infrastructure in urban region development is important. Experience in planning departmental and project budgets, and monitoring adherence, is also necessary. Candidates must have expertise in project management principles and practices, including budget and schedule controls, for managing cross-functional teams and consultants on simultaneous projects.
The position demands procurement, vendor, and contract management, interpersonal, and negotiation skills to manage vendor relationships. Strong research and analytical skills are needed for evidence-based technical planning, design, and engineering studies. Leadership, facilitation, negotiation, and consensus-building skills are critical for guiding diverse specialists, technical staff, and project consultants. Excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills are required to advise and build relationships with senior management, external stakeholders, and the public. Knowledge of government policy and program development processes is also beneficial.
