Owner Advisor

Otak is hiring for an on-call Owner Advisor to support public-sector clients delivering major transit and infrastructure programs. In this role, you will provide independent oversight and strategic, technical, and commercial guidance throughout the project lifecycle, from planning and procurement through construction, commissioning, and closeout.

Working closely with agency leadership and project teams, you will evaluate complex issues, identify emerging risks, challenge assumptions, and translate project information into clear, actionable recommendations. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience delivering major transit, rail, or heavy civil infrastructure programs, with a strong understanding of public-sector governance, alternative project delivery, contractor oversight, and coordination across diverse stakeholders.

How You'll Contribute:

• Provide independent oversight and strategic advice throughout the project lifecycle, from development and procurement through construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Monitor scope, budget, schedule, quality, and milestone readiness, identifying gaps and recommending improvements to project delivery.
• Evaluate contractor and consultant performance and deliverables for contractual compliance, quality, and alignment with owner requirements; recommend corrective actions.
• Review budgets, cost forecasts, contingency usage, critical-path schedules, and recovery plans to assess financial and schedule exposure.
• Assess risks, change orders, claims, and commercial issues; recommend mitigation strategies to protect the owner's interests.
• Provide technical and quality oversight, including systems integration and operational readiness, while assessing compliance with engineering, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with agencies, project teams, utilities, and other stakeholders to navigate approvals, funding requirements, environmental commitments, and competing priorities.
• Present clear reports and actionable recommendations to leadership and governing boards, strengthening governance, accountability, and timely decision-making.

The Strengths You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or a related technical or infrastructure discipline.
• 15-20+ years of progressively responsible experience in major infrastructure, transit, rail, or heavy civil capital programs.
• Demonstrated experience in senior project management, program management, owner representation, engineering management, construction management, or a comparable leadership role.
• Experience overseeing large, complex capital programs, preferably with individual projects or programs valued at $500 million or more.
• Strong understanding of project controls, including cost management, scheduling, forecasting, risk management, change control, and performance reporting.
• Experience with alternative project delivery methods, including Design-Build and, where applicable, Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) or similar integrated delivery models.
• Knowledge of public-sector procurement, contract administration, claims management, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical and commercial issues and provide independent, defensible recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to engage credibly with executive leadership, technical specialists, contractors, and public-agency representatives.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, and work location as well as market and business considerations.

Pay Range: $150-$275 per hour

Why work at Otak?

We're not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, you aren't just joining a firm - you're joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we don't just believe in cultivating our own community; we're also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so we're committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, we're expanding - and we're dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.

Equal Opportunity

At Otak, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to cultivating a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and respectful for all. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich our work environment, fuel innovation, and are essential to our collective success.

We are dedicated to maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bias. Every individual at Otak is valued, included, and treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

All employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We strive to ensure that our practices uphold fairness and equity at every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Our Vision for an Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to creating an environment where:

• Diverse identities are embraced, and differences are valued as a source of strength.
• Every employee feels safe to be their authentic self and contributes meaningfully.
• Unique perspectives are encouraged, and open dialogue is welcomed to foster innovation.
• Curiosity replaces judgment, and respectful engagement is prioritized in all interactions.
• Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect, forming the foundation of our workplace culture.

We provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, including pregnant employees, to ensure an accessible and supportive work environment. If you require assistance or accommodations during the application process or in the workplace, please contact Otak's People Services Department at GRPHumanResources@Otak.com.

Join us in shaping a more inclusive future!