Deputy Chief of Program Implementation

at Illinois Tollway in Downers Grove, Illinois, United States

Job Description

The Illinois Tollway is committed to providing a safe, efficient highway system while ensuring the highest possible level of service to our customers. Whether it's I-PASS, the Move Illinois Program, the Bridging the Future Program, open road tolling or keeping you safe with our H.E.L.P. trucks, we are committed to delivering great benefits and services to customers.

The Tollway operates as a user-fee system, relying exclusively on toll and concession revenues for maintenance and operations.   No state or federal tax dollars are used.

Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and Executive Staff, the Tollway is committed to achieving the following goals: strengthening collaboration with regional transportation and planning agencies, supporting the regional economy, upholding financial integrity, promoting environmental responsibility and sustainability, maintaining the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system, enhancing transparency and accountability, improving customer service, and fostering public trust.

The Deputy Chief of Program Implementation reports directly to the Chief Engineering Officer and is responsible for overseeing the design and construction of projects to ensure they meet the Tollway’s standards for schedule, scope, and budget. This role involves coordinating with project personnel to resolve issues related to design, construction, policy, and staff, and preparing confidential reports and analyses as requested. The Deputy Chief serves as a key advisor and resource for the Chief Engineering Officer, communicates any sensitive matters requiring immediate attention, and works closely with executive management, project managers, contractors, agencies, municipalities, and the public to ensure successful programming, design, and construction, as well as the implementation of customer service initiatives. The Deputy Chief also represents the Tollway at meetings and serves as an official spokesperson. 

Serves as the primary staff and resource for the Chief Engineering Officer on all matters of the Engineering Department.

• Administrative Responsibilities:
  • Directs Tollway engineering staff, including Executive Project Engineers and Managers, Senior Project Engineers and Managers, Project Managers, and support staff. 
  • Responsible for personnel matters including training, performance appraisals, and disciplinary actions. 
  • Conducts staff meetings to ensure all administrative functions are executed and enforced. 
  •  Monitors employee travel. 
• Departmental Responsibilities:
  • Manages work performed by the Tollway’s Consulting Engineer which includes technical and trust indenture services.
  • Serves as primary point of contact for coordination with other Tollway departments on overarching matters including the following departments: Internal Audit, Fleet and Facilities, Finance, Information Technology, Procurement, Diversity, Business Systems, Communications, etc.
  • Represents the Engineering department within the Tollway related to agency initiatives such as strategic planning and enterprise risk management.
  • Participates in budgeting and departmental strategic planning as necessary for establishment of annual budgets and goals. 
  • Provides strategic development of the Engineering Department’s objectives, policies, and programs.
  • Manages the Quality program including necessary activities related to maintaining an International Standards Organization (ISO) certification.  ISO activities include development of a Quality policy and manual, ISO procedures and periodic review thereof and overseeing ISO audits and staff training efforts.
  •  Presents to external agencies, professional organizations and other public groups.

• Program Implementation Responsibilities:

• Supports development and activities associated with solicitation of professional services necessary for capital program implementation.  Such efforts include preparing Professional Service Bulletin (PSB) documents, procurement schedules, scoring and selection activities and other related items.
• Engages in the negotiation of consultant fees and makes recommendations to the Chief Engineering Officer for contract award.
• Provides insight into the development of project scopes, monitors, manages agreements.
• Prepare agenda for the monthly Board of Directors meetings.
• Manages work performed by the Tollway’s Program Management Office consultant which includes overseeing and tracking capital program delivery efforts.
• Manages work performed through other capital program support contracts related to materials engineering, independent assurance, infrastructure management, Job Order Contracting (JOC), the Web Based Program Management System and others as necessary and appropriate. 
• Leads meetings with other State (IDOT, IDNR-OWR), Local Agencies (Counties and Municipalities) and community groups to coordinate project requirements and required permits. Evaluates and develops required agency agreements.
• Reviews and approves project-related correspondence requiring the Chief Engineering Officer’s signature and approval (i.e. notice to proceed, transfer of reallocation of funds, approval of subcontractors, approval to advertise, issuance of addenda, etc.
• Reconciles and approves consultant bi-weekly/monthly progress reports, invoices, and contractor pay estimates.
• Provides executive engineering input on all issues raised during the development of design and construction contracts. Reviews methods to resolve deviations from construction plans. Reviews and provides recommendations for change orders and extra work orders due to work-scope modifications, changed conditions, or other modifications. Attends coordination meetings with Contractors and Professional Engineering Consultants. 
• As directed by the Chief Engineering Officer, the Deputy Chief can chair or participate in the Construction Change Cost Controls Committee (C-5) and Errors and Omissions and Surety and Warranty committees.