OVERALL DESCRIPTION

The Senior Project Manager – Automotive Support and Compliance has full responsibility for the organization, implementation, and execution of warranty administration and continuous improvement program management within Vehicle Engineering and Maintenance. This position’s primary responsibility is managing warranty administration for SEPTA fleets and coordinating continuous improvement actions within AEE&M to improve efficiency of maintenance processes. The Senior Project Manager must have extensive knowledge of business practices applicable to managing these operations.

This position is responsible for undertaking diverse project management assignments that are considered to be of “high” complexity in size and scope. As Senior Project Manager, the successful candidate will be involved in design, implementation, and support of warranty administration, and continuous improvement initiatives.  This position is responsible for defining and coordinating in-house and third-party tasks of “high” complexity.

The Senior Project Manager must come in contact with many people at higher organizational levels, both within SEPTA and outside the Authority. His/Her contacts include Assistant General Managers and Department Managers within SEPTA, as well as consulting and contact firms’ Vice Presidents, and Federal, State, City, and local government officials.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Consults with the Program Manager and assist SEPTA's Planning and Operating Departments in project definition (scope and objectives) and determination of project and program feasibility.
• Responsible for work assignments and supervising the activities of engineering personnel within the project and program, and encouraging and developing their technical and professional development.
• Responsible for maintaining, forecasting, and maintaining budgets and manpower requirements.
• Maintains liaison with individuals and groups both internally and outside the Authority with responsibility to investigate and act independently on technical issues pertaining to his/her project and program responsibilities.
• Complies with all Authority and departmental safety and security policies and procedures, as well as all applicable job safety responsibilities. Reports any safety concerns, compromises, or hazards in the hazards affecting self and other employees is responsible for the individual's own safety and is encouraged to promote the safety of others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops fleet management and replacement strategies in conjunction with capital planning operations and other departments within SEPTA.
• Oversees development of vehicle requirements and writing of specification for new vehicles in cooperation with other SEPTA groups.
• Overall responsibility for supervising SEPTA resources associated with the warranty administration of new bus and rail fleets and bus continuous improvement initiatives to ensure projects meet budget requirements.
• Establishes staffing levels - both internal and contracted necessary to support vehicle related programs.
• Directs and coordinates the activities of SEPTA departments to support new vehicles acquisition including system testing, development of maintenance procedures and support documentation, warranty administration, etc.
• Works closely with appropriate state, and federal-level agencies (e.g., PennDOT, APTA, FRA) to ensure new vehicles fully comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintains proactive maintenance measures based on available technological resources and applications while automating processes where applicable.
• Prepares program status reports as required to present to management showing budget and schedule highlights and potential risks.
• Responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising the work of departmental staff. Evaluates progress of work and staff and recommends major changes to achieve program objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field, and a minimum of eight (8) years of progressively vehicle related experience required, including extensive knowledge of business practices applicable to managing vehicle related programs.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education (i.e., two (2) years of related experience, equating to one (1) year of formal post high school education) may be considered in lieu of the above requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills required.
• Extensive experience in computer applications within field of study required. 
• Supervisory experience preferred.