Director of Operations and Maintenance (High-Speed Rail)

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Job Description:

Parsons is seeking a highly experienced and accomplished Director of Operations & Maintenance to lead the development and implementation of the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) strategy for a major High-Speed Rail (HSR) program in the UAE. In this role, you will be responsible for establishing the operational framework, maintenance philosophy, operational readiness program, and safety assurance processes required to support safe, reliable, and efficient 320 km/h railway operations.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead the development of the Operations and Maintenance philosophy to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the High-Speed Rail network.

• Define and develop operational and maintenance requirements for the contracted railway operator.

• Oversee the development and approval of the Operations Safety Case and associated operational assurance processes.

• Direct the operational readiness program, including procedures, training programs, emergency preparedness exercises, trial operations, commissioning support, and regulatory compliance activities.

• Coordinate with engineering, systems, safety, regulatory, and program delivery teams to ensure operational requirements are fully integrated throughout the project lifecycle.

• Support the transition from construction and commissioning into successful revenue service operations.

• Provide strategic leadership on railway operations, maintenance planning, asset management, and operational performance objectives.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Railway Operations, Transportation Management, or a related discipline.

• Extensive experience in railway operations and maintenance leadership roles.

• Strong understanding of rail operations, service planning, asset maintenance strategies, and operational safety frameworks.

• Demonstrated experience developing operational concepts, maintenance regimes, and readiness programs for large-scale rail infrastructure projects.

• Proven leadership, stakeholder management, and team coordination capabilities within complex transportation programs.

• Ability to manage operational risks and resolve complex challenges in a high-performance environment.

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Direct High-Speed Rail operations & maintenance experience.

• Experience leading Operational Readiness and Railway Certification programs for High-Speed Rail systems.

• Experience developing Operations Safety Cases and railway regulatory approvals.

• GCC or Middle East railway project experience.

• Experience supporting the transition from project delivery through commissioning and into operational service.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

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