Service Performance Manager - Virginia Passenger Rail Authority : Job Details

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. The VPRA also funds Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and administers all capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the $3.7 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade. The VPRA acts as a responsible public entity for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, operation, or any combination thereof, of a qualifying transportation facility under the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995.

Ready to drive meaningful improvements in public transportation? If so, VPRA is looking for you!

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is seeking a Service Performance Manager to lead efforts to monitor and enhance passenger rail service on Virginia's state-supported routes. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Passenger Operations & Contracts, this role will work closely with Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express, host railroads, and a range of internal and external partners. The ideal candidate will also support customer service initiatives and engage regularly with consultant teams, public agencies, stakeholders, and the broader community.

This full-time position will work in Richmond, Virginia. This role will require occasional travel within Virginia.

Responsibilities

Managing initiatives to optimize operational performance of Virginia's passenger rail services, the Service Performance Manager will:

• Coordinate and prepare materials for the Service Performance Committee (SPC), VPRA Board, Amtrak Quarterly, and other meetings, with stakeholders such as CSX, Amtrak, VRE, Norfolk Southern, etc., while managing consultant efforts to align service plans with proposed infrastructure improvements.
• Review and analyze passenger and freight performance data, sometimes with consultant support, to identify trends and issues affecting service performance, such as On-Time Performance (OTP). Communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders and lead targeted investigations and improvement strategies.
• Lead coordination between the VPRA Rail Services Team, Engineering, and other departments to proactively address upcoming impacts on service performance (i.e., ensure project schedules are up to date and provided to stakeholders for monitoring and mitigation efforts when construction and maintenance-of-way work have the potential to affect service performance).
• Provide timely service performance updates by supporting the Rail Services Team with monitoring incidents, collaborating on daily and monthly reporting, and ensuring leadership and stakeholders receive accurate reports.
• Serve as the primary liaison for schedule analyses and adjustments, leading coordination efforts with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the timely implementation of service changes.
• Coordinate and communicate service and schedule changes by collaborating with the Data & Project Support Associate to maintain an up-to-date catalog and ensure key VPRA staff and ELT members are informed of updates and their rationale.
• Oversee collaborative analytical efforts with consultants and internal teams to ensure service performance insights inform VPRA's strategic and engineering decisions.
• Up to 50% of travel, some overnight, as necessary to support Service Performance work.

Education and Experience

Required Education: High School Diploma

Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Knowledge of railroad operations, including familiarity with Amtrak delay report and train performance data, and ability to identify trends and develop service improvement strategies.
• Strong data analysis and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop solutions for rail operations through collaboration with diverse stakeholders, driving continuous improvement efforts for shared outcomes.
• Build relationships and trust with stakeholders by working in good faith, sharing information, and considering different perspectives related to service issues.
• Manage consultant support according to established budgets, scopes, and schedules.
• Review work products, such as presentations and interpretation of data, to ensure messaging is succinct and targeted toward solutions.
• Proficiency in MS Office with advanced PowerPoint skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of freight railroad operations
• Knowledge of passenger rail operations

Are you interested in this position, but you don't meet every single requirement? At VPRA, we are dedicated to building a talented team and an inclusive, authentic workplace. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other positions.

Applicants must fully and accurately represent their qualifications and work history on the application or resume. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information in the application, resume, or other relevant documents; therefore, applicants must supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete application/resume or an application/resume lacking in detail may impact your interview eligibility. This website will confirm receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. Equal Opportunity Employer