General Manager, Construction - RLE - ( 26000088 )
Description
SALARY
$170,745.22
POSITION SUMMARY
Under general direction, manages major rail and facility construction projects through subordinate management staff. Develops work plans, schedules, cost estimates, and specifications for projects. Oversees the work of both internal and external construction management groups. Monitors work for compliance with schedule budget, technical, safety, and legal requirements, as well as contract provisions. Reviews contract documents and assists with bid forms, pre-bid conferences, proposal evaluations and recommendations and negotiations with consultants and contractors.
Qualifications
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Participates in the planning, scope development, design, direction and construction administration of the Red Line Extension programs, policies, goals and objectives, as directed by the Chief Infrastructure Officer.
Manages and implements the development of programs, construction methodologies, operations and activities of the construction section with an emphasis on major capital construction projects focusing on efficiencies and safety.
Prepares and presents operating/capital improvement budgets while participating in the planning and development of the duties and responsibilities of personnel that are assigned to projects. Prepares statements of work, objectives, performance standards and reviews. Performs monitoring of improved work procedures and methods.
Manages and coordinates programs, procedures and methods that are used to monitor, evaluate and document construction activities.
o Develops and maintains Master Project Plan Schedules.
o Performs field inspections and regularly monitors construction standards to ensure that compliance with quality, specifications, schedule and other construction related performance criteria are being adhered to, including contract provisions.
o Manages execution of projects for successful completion within intended time-frames.
Initiates, reviews and approves field memos, bulletins, proceed orders, change orders and invoices while overseeing the preparation and maintenance of status reports, estimates, schedules and correspondence for construction projects.
o Directs the process of reviewing and approving contract changes to contractor and consultant contracts.
o Reviews contract change cost estimates, affects on contract schedules and justification for change.
Meets with and provides direction to the consultants who are involved in the construction administration responsibilities to the RTA, IDOT and FTA. Meets with various construction contractors, consultants and representatives from other governmental regulatory and funding agencies, utility representatives and various levels of Authority personnel, necessary in the administration of construction activities and project completion.
Coordinates and provides resolutions to issues between the Authority, contractors, consultants, utility representatives, regulatory/funding agencies and others regarding construction and construction related activities.
Meets regularly with management personnel throughout the Authority to ensure that programs and plans are effectively coordinated. Produces weekly reports to Chief Infrastructure Officer.
Consistently reviews the departmental staff performance and develops strategies for maintaining staff knowledge skill sets consistent with current industry standards. Reviews and approves all personnel actions initiated by section supervisory personnel, such as promotions, corrective action, etc. Administers corrective action when necessary.
Oversees construction and consultant contract budgets, recommends staffing plans of construction management personnel, and evaluates and monitors the work of assigned projects to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
o Performs written evaluations of contractors and consultants in order to ensure that performance is in compliance with the standards established by the Authority.
o Responsible for reviewing and approving contractor monthly pay requests, weekly work time recording and construction consultant monthly invoices.
o Provides contract verbiage to be used in construction and construction management contracts.
Hires, trains, develops, monitors, and evaluates performance of staff. Reviews and recommends personnel actions for approval.
Performs related duties as assigned.
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to this position are the following jobs:
Job Title
Managers (various)
Project Manager/Coordinators (various)
Project Specialist (various)
CHALLENGES
Identify problems, recommended cost effective solutions, mediate and negotiate construction contract terms to ensure that both external and internal customer's requirements are satisfied.
Monitor major, multiple contracts while keeping them on schedule and within budget while accommodating any unforeseen changes in the contract budget, schedule and conditions.
Maintain accurate information and statistical information to prepare comprehensible reports and correspondence.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's Degree in Planning, Engineering or Architecture, or a degree in Law or Business with approximately seven (7) years experience in Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or related field.
Professional registration as an engineer or architect is preferable.
Valid Illinois Driver's License.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
May be required to wear restrictive personal protective equipment.
Requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time and constantly operating a computer and other office productivity machinery.
Service Area Requirement: Exempt (Non-Union) employees must live within the boundaries of the CTA Statutory Service Area either at the time of employment or within 6 months of beginning employment at CTA.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Detailed knowledge of general engineering and architecture principles relative to transit infrastructure. Detailed knowledge of project management principles including planning, design and construction management.
Detailed knowledge of project budget and schedule management including the Critical Path Method (CPM) of schedule analysis.
Working knowledge of the practices, principles, and methods of financial reporting.
Working knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding transit infrastructure.
Working knowledge of safety regulations pertaining to transit infrastructure and operations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Strong critical thinking skills.
Strong negotiation and conflict management skills.
Good interpersonal skills in dealing with external groups and/or organizations. General knowledge in the principles of leadership, team building, motivation and conflict resolution.
Strong leadership and managerial skills with the ability to plan, review, assign and evaluate the work of subordinate managers and execute large scale and/or multiple projects.
Ability to develop and implement work plans for assigned projects.
Ability to effectively and analytically solve problems.
Ability to delegate tasks effectively.
Ability to adapt well to change.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Usual office working conditions. Required to make field visits to construction sites to observe construction practices and progress.
Required to carry an agency issued cellular phone.
Subject to varied weather conditions that include extreme cold, heat, rain, snow, ice, etc., when working outdoors.
May work at extreme heights, near electrified third rail, and in subway tunnels with limited clearance, visibility, etc.
May be required to work various extended hours in order to meet project deadlines or respond to CTA emergencies.
Must be available to respond to calls or email inquiries outside of regular work hours.
This position is considered a "C-List" position under the "Revolving Door" prohibition within the State Officials and Employees Act (5 ILCS 430/5-45), which contains a number of post-employment restrictions CTA employees in C-list designated positions must follow. Among other requirements listed in this statute, CTA employees in C-list designated positions are required to follow State notification procedures to the Office of the Executive Inspector General prior to acceptance of any applicable non-State employment or may be fined significant penalties.
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED
Standard office equipment
Personal computer and computer systems including Microsoft Office.
Additional Details: Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.
Final salary will be determined in part by the qualifications of the selected candidate and may be higher or lower than target.
Applicants, if hired,must comply with CTA's residency ordinance.
CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact arc@transitchicago.com prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.
During the hiring process, CTA's Human Resources department will contact candidates with next steps . Failure to respond to these correspondences in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness.
Please click link below to review the benefits offered at the CTA.
https://www.transitchicago.com/hrbenefits/
Primary Location : USA-Illinois-Chicago
Job : Construction
Job Posting : Nov 13, 2026, 6:00:34 AM
Position Type: : Full-time Permanent (FTP)
Department: : Chief Infrastructure Officer
Req ID: 26000088
