Program Coordinator

Railroad Program Coordinator 

Benesch is looking for a Program Coordinator to join our expanding Railroad Team. The Railroad Program Coordinator is a vital liaison between the railroad (our client), Departments of Transportation (DOTs), municipalities, and other external partners. The primary responsibility is to provide project administration oversight during the preliminary engineering review phase of projects and maintain minor involvement during construction, while the Project Managers takes on day-to-day management during the construction phase. This role is essential for ensuring projects meet our railroad client’s requirements, remain on schedule, and maintain consistent communication between our client's internal teams, our team members working on various projects and external agencies.

Benesch’s Railroad Division is made up of highly skilled rail professionals, many of whom are former employees of operating railroads. This firsthand experience working to design and maintain active rail systems uniquely equips our team to develop innovative solutions to a wide variety of rail projects. If you are a motivated and experienced professional seeking an exciting opportunity to grow your career in the railroad industry, we encourage you to apply. 

The Impact You Will Have

• Preliminary Engineering and Project Oversight
  • Lead the preliminary engineering review phase, working closely with Benesch engineering teams to ensure project design meets railroad standards and aligns with the objectives of our railroad clients.
  • Coordinate with internal and external teams to address design issues, permitting, utility conflicts, property issues & approvals, and environmental concerns during the review phase.
• Stakeholder Coordination
  • Act as the primary liaison with DOTs, municipalities, and other stakeholders, establishing a collaborative approach to project administration planning and execution.
  • Facilitate regular project meetings, updates, and communication channels with external agencies, ensuring all parties remain informed of project status and requirements.
  • Maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, providing timely responses to questions and coordinating reviews as needed.
• Transition to Construction and Continuous Involvement
  • Ensure a smooth transition of projects from the preliminary engineering review phase to the construction phase, working closely with the Project Managers to communicate all relevant details.
  • Supporting the Project Manager with administration needs, as well as providing updates to our rail client and other stakeholders on project progress.
• Budget Management and Financial Oversight
  • Support budget preparation and tracking, assisting the Project Managers with cost control throughout the project.
  • Monitor expenditures during various phases of the project.
  • Ensure alignment between budget allocations and funding sources, coordinating with finance teams as needed.
• Quality Assurance
  • Support quality assurance by ensuring design and construction standards meet railroad requirements and regulatory guidelines.
  • Assist in conducting periodic reviews to verify project adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Documentation and Reporting
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation for each project, including preliminary engineering reports, meeting notes, regulatory filings, and stakeholder communications.
  • Provide regular reports to internal leadership and external stakeholders on project status, budget, and any regulatory or compliance updates.
  • Assist in the preparation of final project reports and closeout documentation upon project completion.

What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor’s in engineering or a related field from an accredited program.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in project coordination, preferably within the railroad or transportation industry.
• Knowledge of preliminary engineering processes, as well as permitting, regulatory compliance, and DOT coordination.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Project Management software (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, Quickbase) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of budget management, financial tracking, and reporting in a project context. #LI-MM1

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