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Chief Operating Officer

Position Contingency Notice: This position is associated with Bay State Rail’s proposal to operate the MBTA Commuter Rail network. Employment opportunities for this role are contingent upon Bay State Rail being awarded the contract and successful contract mobilization.

About Bay State Rail

Bay State Rail is a joint venture between Transdev North America and Transport UK and is one of three teams pursuing the opportunity to operate the MBTA Regional Rail network. Our team brings the expertise and vision needed to transform Boston regional rail into a service built for the common good. We are committed to delivering a modern, dependable rail system that strengthens communities, eases congestion and drives a more sustainable future.

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) leads commuter rail operations throughout the Greater Boston area and is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of service across a complex passenger rail network. This executive leadership role provides strategic and operational oversight of all railroad functions, including transportation, operations, infrastructure and fleet maintenance, customer service, station operations, and other frontline workforce groups.

The COO is accountable for leading a large, diverse operational workforce and has overall responsibility for the full scope of commuter rail services. Reporting through the COO are senior functional leaders, including the Chief Customer Officer, Chief of Infrastructure Maintenance, Head of Fleet Maintenance, and other key operational executives. The COO ensures seamless coordination across all departments to achieve performance, safety, regulatory compliance, customer experience, and service reliability objectives.

The ideal candidate brings extensive commuter rail operating experience, deep knowledge of FRA and industry regulations, and a proven track record of leading large-scale passenger transportation organizations in complex, high-demand environments.

We’re proud to offer:

• Competitive compensation package of minimum $200,000 – maximum $280,000
• In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for an annual Short-Term Incentive (STI) opportunity

Job Profile

• Provide 24/7 executive oversight of rail operations and be available to respond to operational issues as needed
• Direct daily operations of all revenue and non-revenue train service, including crews, terminals, yards, and stations
• Lead transportation service planning and execution, rider and employee safety, security, and regulatory compliance to support safe and reliable service delivery
• Manage coordination and daily interaction with third-party railroads, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders, including Positive Train Control partners
• Drive operational performance, on-time performance, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaborate cross-functionally with maintenance, engineering, customer experience, planning and supplemental work, and executive leadership teams
• Liaise with other modes of transportation within the Massachusetts Bay Area and with Transdev and Transport UK senior leaders on best practice sharing, lessons learned, and proactive knowledge transfer.

Qualifications

Required

• 15+ years of progressive experience in rail operations
• Minimum 5 years of recent experience (within the last 10 years) as a senior operating officer in passenger railroad service
• Direct experience overseeing passenger train operations in compliance with FRA regulations
• Experience working with commuter rail systems of similar size and complexity to the Boston-area rail network
• Experience in a unionized rail operating environment
• Demonstrated experience with managing train crews and labor unions, rail safety, operating rules, service planning, and incident management
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Engineering, Business, or related field
• Advanced degree preferred
• Knowledge of American Public Transportation Association standards and recommended practices for passenger rail equipment
• Positive Train Control systems experience

The ideal candidate is a high-performing strategic leader who drives results and inspires others through integrity, accountability, and strong communication. Combines business acumen and continuous improvement to achieve sustainable business outcomes and enhance customer experience. Builds trust through self-awareness and ethical leadership while empowering others to reach their full potential. Cultivates strong stakeholder relationships, high-performing teams, and creates organizational agility to successfully navigate change and deliver long-term success.

Job Category: Management

Job Type: Full Time

Work Type: No Remote

Req ID: 8720

Pay Group: VDD

Cost Center: NONE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions upon request.

Transdev is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Drug-free workplace

If based in the United States, applicants must be eligible to work in U.S. without restrictions for any employer at any time; be able to pass a drug screen and background check.

California applicants: Please Click Here for CA Employee Privacy Policy.

About Transdev

Cities, counties, airports, companies, and universities across the U.S. contract with Transdev to operate their transportation systems, maintain their vehicle and fleets, and deliver on mobility solutions. Transdev U.S. employs a team of 32,000 across 400 locations while maintaining more than 17,000 vehicles.

Part of a global company, Transdev is a leader in mobility with operations in 19 countries, proudly operated by 110,000 team members from around the world. As an operator and global integrator of mobility, we are driven by our purpose. Transdev – the mobility company – empowers the freedom to move every day thank to safe, reliable, and innovative solutions that serve the common good. Find out more at http://www.TransdevNA.com or watch an overview video.