Principal, Project Controls and Capital Assurance

Marketing Statement

A career at TransLink and our family of companies means working with people with a wide range of skills and perspectives, all teaming up towards a common goal: preserving and enhancing the region's world-envied quality of life. Together, we connect the region and enhance its livability by providing a sustainable transit and transportation network, embraced by our communities and people.

At TransLink we are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace, recognizing the unique value and skills every individual brings.

Looking for a great place to work where your contributions are valued and you can make a difference in a vibrant city? At TransLink, one of BC’s Top Employers, you'll help make Metro Vancouver a better place to live, built on transportation excellence. Put your future in motion!

Responsibilities

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Provides enterprise-scale leadership of Project Controls within the Engineering Division, ensuring standardized, integrated, and risk-informed project controls practices across TransLink’s $13B+ Capital Program.

The role is accountable for the establishment, governance, and continuous evolution of the Project Controls Framework, systems, and digital platforms that enable portfolio-wide assurance, data integrity, and executive- and Board-level decision confidence. Working in close collaboration with Engineering leadership, delivery groups, operating companies, and corporate partners, the role ensures consistent application of project controls standards and provides independent assurance that proactively identifies, quantifies and mitigate strategic and high-risk exposures across the capital portfolio.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Controls Strategy and Framework

Owns portfolio-wide risk identification, quantification, aggregation, and escalation practices, ensuring material risks are proactively managed and transparently reported.

Leads the establishment, approval, and continuous evolution of Engineering’s division-wide Project Controls Framework, incorporating industry-leading standards and lessons.

Ensures alignment of project controls practices with Engineering objectives, the Investment Plan, and capital governance stage-gates (Feasibility, AiP, SPA, PCA).

Establishes mandatory enterprise standards for Earned Value Management (EVM), quantitative schedule and risk analysis (QSRA), forecasting methodologies, and variance analysis, ensuring consistency and confidence across the Capital Program.

Enterprise Integration and Digital Enablement

Overseas the governance and integrity of enterprise project controls systems and digital platforms (e.g., PMIS, analytic environments), ensuring a single source of truth for portfolio performance.

Establishes portfolio-wide assurance protocols, including quality reviews, escalation thresholds, and controls compliance monitoring.

Drives integrate cost, schedule, risk and performance analytics across Engineering delivery groups and operating companies.

Governance, Assurance and Risk Management

Defines and governs baseline control, change management, and reforecast approval protocols across the Capital Program, aligned to contract models and delivery approaches

Executive and Board Decision Support

Provides independent, expert insight to the VP, CEO, Board, and governance committees on portfolio health, risk exposure, forecast confidence, and investment performance.

Translates complex project controls information into credible, risk-adjusted, decision-ready insights to support informed executive and Board decision-making.

Where differing view exist, presents independent, evidence-based perspectives alongside Portfolio Management recommendations to ensure balanced executive consideration.

Capability Building and Functional Leadership

Builds and leads a centralized, multidisciplinary Project Controls function across Engineering, including cost, schedule, risk, and performance specialists.

Establishes clear standards, professional expectations, and accountabilities for project controls practitioners.

Reduces reliance on external vendors for foundational controls capability and strengthens internal maturity.

Provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, and talent development to grow sustainable divisional expertise, capability and succession planning.

Stakeholder & External Interface

Represents Engineering in external audits, peer reviews, and government oversight, and independent assurance engagements.

Participates in cross-enterprise forums and steering committees to foster alignment, transparency and shared accountability for capital performance.

Defines, enforces, and assures project controls requirements for consultants and contractors, including compliance with cost, schedule, risk, and reporting standards.

Organizational Structure and Context

The role leads a centralized Project Controls team and includes direct reports, including a Senior Program Manager – Project Controls, with specialized controllers responsible for schedule, cost, scope, and risk.

This centralized structure positions Project Controls as a core enterprise service within Engineering, scalable across the broader TransLink capital portfolio and enterprise.

The role supports Engineering’s stewardship responsibility to TransLink, Executive Leadership, and the Board.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Professional Engineering (P.Eng), PMP, and advanced specialization such as PMI-SP, PMI-RMP required; MBA and AACE (EVP, PSP, CCP) preferred.

Minimum 10 years in project controls leadership roles for large, complex capital programs, with proven success in enterprise transformation and system implementation.

Expertise in OPC (Oracle Primavera Cloud) or equivalent enterprise project controls systems required.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated ability to define, operationalize, and lead enterprise-level transformation strategies within complex public-sector environments. Proven governance and capital assurance expertise at the portfolio level, including oversight of multi-billion-dollar infrastructure programs. Extensive experience leading project controls functions across diverse contracting models and delivery approaches (Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build) Demonstrated success influencing senior executives, governance committees, Boards, and government stakeholders in high-visibility environments.

Deep knowledge of industry-leading project controls practices, benchmarking frameworks, and digital transformation of capital delivery environments.

Enterprise-level expertise in project and program management theory and practice, including cost, schedule, risk, change management, and earned value methodologies.

Strong people leadership capability, including building and scaling multidisciplinary teams, succession planning, and fostering a high-performance culture.

Advanced interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including negotiation skills as they relate to contracts and resolution of contractual issues.

Advanced analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve critical and high-impact issues.

Strong financial acumen for effective planning, management, and expenditure of operational and capital costs.

Advanced time management and organization skills to balance and coordinate effort across multiple, concurrent activities.

Advanced verbal and written communication skills.

Advanced proficiency in project controls systems and digital platforms (e.g., Primavera, PMIS environments, analytics tools), with demonstrated ability to govern system adoption and data integrity.

Other Information

Join TransLink at a pivotal moment as we advance a multi-billion-dollar capital program shaping the future of transportation in Metro Vancouver. As Principal, Project Controls & Capital Assurance, you will play a central role in strengthening how we plan, deliver, and govern major infrastructure investments - bringing clarity, consistency, and confidence to decision-making across a complex, high-impact portfolio.

This role provides strategic oversight across a diverse set of projects, driving alignment between delivery teams, and corporate partners. Working closely with senior leadership, the Principal leads the advancement of project controls for engineering - modernizing reporting, strengthening governance, and enabling clearer, risk-informed decisions at the executive and Board level.This is a unique opportunity to build and scale a centralized Project Controls capability - shaping how the Engineering division delivers, governs, and reports on its capital program. Success in this role will be reflected in stronger cross-organizational alignment, improved visibility into performance and risk, and the effective advancement of projects critical to the region’s growth. If you’re motivated by building capability, influencing strategic decisions, and delivering impact at scale, this is an opportunity to shape how TransLink delivers its capital program for years to come - and to help enable a more connected, sustainable, and resilient transportation network.

Recruitment Process: An applicant will be required to demonstrate their suitability for this position by meeting the minimum level of qualifications and experience in order to be invited into the selection process. A standard interview format will be used including general, scenario and behavioural descriptive interview questions.

Work Schedule

37.5 hours per week.

Work Designation

Hybrid

This position offers the flexibility of working both on-site and remotely within B.C.

Rate of Pay

The salary for this position ranges from $133,680 - $200,520 per annum. Actual salary offered will be based on education, experience, skills, and qualifications as they relate to the role.

We aim to provide competitive pay that reflects your professional background and expertise. We want to ensure our offer will align with your strengths considering experience, skills, and internal equity to offer a fair and equitable salary. The Total Compensation Package, which includes Extended Health, Dental, Transit Pass and enrollment in the Public Service Pension Plan as well as other employment offerings will be discussed in detail as your application progresses.

How to Apply

Please click the 'Apply' button at the top right corner of the page or go to http://www.translink.ca/careers to apply for this position and view instructions on the process.

INSTRUCTIONS: Please save your (1) cover letter, and your (2) resume as one pdf document prior to uploading your application on-line.

Posting Date: June 29, 2026

Closing Date: Open until filled

Please note that only those short listed will be contacted.

Having trouble applying? Please view the System Requirements & FAQ's by going to http://www.translink.ca/careers.

TransLink is committed to employment equity and building a diverse workforce, representative of the customers we serve and the many communities in the Metro Vancouver region. We welcome and encourage Indigenous applicants, people of colour, all genders, 2SLGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities to apply. Learn more about TransLink's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. For a confidential inquiry, simply email us at jobs@translink.ca.