Director, LinkUS Program Controls

SALARY: $101,566.40 - $119,496.00nLOCATION: 33 N.

High St.

Columbus, OH 43215nBENEFITS:nnMedical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life InsurancenPaid Parental LeavenEmployee DiscountsnCOTA Bus PassnWellness InitiativesnOn-Site Chair MassagenOn-Site Health CoachnTuition ReimbursementnStudent Loan Repayment ProgramnPublic Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred CompensationnnnPOSITION SUMMARY:nThe Director, LinkUS Program Controls provides strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive program-level controls, including cost management, schedule adherence, risk mitigation, and performance measurement.

This role ensures the successful delivery of multiple high-capacity transit coordinator projects funded through the LinkUS initiative by driving consistency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making across all program elements.nPerform other duties in alignment with the COTA Strategic Plan and in support of the organization's vision to Move Every Life Forward.nnESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:nnLead the development and implementation of program-level control systems to support corridor planning, design, right-of-way (ROW) acquisition, utility coordination, procurement and construction;nImplement and maintain program controls tools (e.g., Primavera P6, SAP, Oracle, Unifier, e-Builder, Procore), coordinate data across design, procurement, and construction teams.nLead a centralized controls team and coordinate closely with corridor-level project controls, finance, procurement, risk management, and executive leadership.nManage budgeting and financial controls for the LinkUS Program, providing leadership through planning, design, and capital delivery phases; andnEnsure integration of cost controls, schedule management, and earned value analysis to support effective project delivery and performance;nMonitor progress against approved baselines and oversee the tracking and analysis of change orders and cost variances across the LinkUS program.nLead the identification and assessment of program risks, develop and maintain contingency budgets, and facilitate risk workshops, including FTA OP40-style reviews;nEvaluate potential impacts and advise executive leadership on mitigation strategies to minimize risk exposure and ensure program success; and,nEstablish key performance indicators (KPIs), including cost-to-complete, schedule adherence, estimate at completion (EAC), and risk exposure.

Develop and deliver monthly and quarterly performance dashboards.nDeliver training and ongoing support to project teams to ensure consistent application of controls standards.nProvides leadership to assigned COTA staff and project teams, as needed.nCollaborate with the FTA regional office to support Small Starts and New Starts funding applications.

Assist in ensuring compliance with FTA requirements and help substantiate cost estimates and contingency levels.nnnMINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:nnRequires a bachelor's degree in business administration, finance or a related field and a minimum of five to seven (5-7) years' experience managing program controls in large-scale infrastructure (preferably transit) projects.

Experience integrating cost, schedule, and risk at capital program level required.nPMP/EV certification preferred.nnnCOTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status

Full Time