Program Director - Transportation Safety/ Transportation Systems Management and Operations, Cooperative Research Program

Job Description Summary:

** NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION **

Provides leadership, implementation, ongoing management, and evaluation for assigned program area(s), delivering a complex and diverse portfolio of transportation research projects. The role combines portfolio-level accountability with management of high-visibility research initiatives. Responsible for developing the overall budget, including staffing requirements, and ensures the successful delivery of the full portfolio of projects in alignment with division priorities and organizational standards. Maintains internal and external relations.

Serves as a key member of the Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) leadership team, contributing to CRP-wide leadership, decision-making, and strategic direction.

The Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, provides leadership in transportation innovation through objective, evidence-based research and convenes experts from government, industry, and academia to address complex transportation challenges. Within TRB, the Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) are applied research programs—including the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), Behavioral Traffic Safety (BTSCRP), and others—that develop practical, implementable solutions to current and emerging transportation issues through stakeholder-driven research and collaboration.

Exercises substantial independent judgment in leading staff, managing team performance, overseeing project portfolios, resolving complex issues, and engaging with volunteers and sponsors. Incumbent deals with important or controversial issues where effective persuasion, negotiation, and compromise are critical. Must have high-level professional staff as direct reports.

Job Description:

Responsibilities

Research Portfolio Leadership & Accountability

• In consultation with the CRP Director and Deputy Director, maintains a balanced, high-quality portfolio of projects/programs for assigned program area.  Establishes a vision and working strategy for activities conducted within the program area.

• Provides leadership and full accountability for the delivery of a diverse portfolio of applied transportation research projects spanning assigned program area.

• Ensures projects are consistently delivered on time, within scope, and in alignment with TRB and National Academies standards for rigor, relevance, objectivity, and usefulness.

• Monitors overall portfolio performance, proactively identifying risks, dependencies, and resource constraints; implement corrective actions to ensure successful outcomes.

• In addition to overall management responsibility, leads selected complex or high-profile research projects, including contractor oversight and delivery of final products.

• Collaborates with Chair, panel members, and volunteers to convene groups, develop materials to support their work, plan and facilitate meetings and discussions, and resolve conflicts and encourage productive interactions.  Provides guidance in the conduct of their work.

• Advises the Deputy Director and Director and contributes to leadership discussions on portfolio performance, emerging issues, and resource needs.

Performance Management & Staff Development

• Responsible for the overall performance, engagement, and development of staff, including senior-level project managers.

• Establishes clear, measurable performance goals aligned with program area priorities and holds staff accountable for results.

• Actively manage individual and team performance through regular feedback, coaching, and formal performance evaluations.

• Coaches, mentors, and develops staff to build technical expertise, leadership capability, and succession readiness.

• Provides leadership and mentors employees. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Initiates personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and if needed, disciplinary actions.

• Assigns work, sets priorities, and balances workloads to ensure effective execution of the full portfolio.

Program Execution & Strategic Alignment

• Translates division and program priorities into integrated work plans and measurable outcomes.

• Contributes as a member of the CRP leadership t