Ability to: Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers, architects, and consultants; Develop and implement effective design strategies and solutions; Effectively apply advanced knowledge of tunneling, geotechnical science, and underground construction program design; Analyze complex technical problems and develop innovative solutions; Plan, organize, and direct a complex multi-agency infrastructure project; Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, including elected and appointed government officials, business and community leaders, and various interest groups; Use tact, discretion, and diplomacy in navigating sensitive situations and addressing concerns from diverse stakeholders; Review and prepare clear and concise correspondence and written and oral reports; Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal, state, and local laws and regulations relevant to transportation and infrastructure development; Negotiate effectively and persuasively on behalf of VTA to secure funding and legislative support; Develop, implement, and manage the processes involved in infrastructure project development and execution; Effectively represent VTA before the Board of Directors, city councils, federal, state, local, and regional agencies, boards and commissions, and before local citizens in public meetings and hearings; Select, supervise, train, motivate, assign, evaluate, counsel, and discipline staff; Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing; Take initiative, reason logically, and be creative in developing and implementing innovative solutions; Define problem areas, evaluate alternatives, and recommend and implement solutions to complex issues and challenges; Effectively prepare, manage, and monitor assigned budgets; Establish cooperative relations with staff, contractors, consultants, technical committees, community and industry organizations, representatives of federal, state, regional, and city agencies, and the general public. Knowledge of: Principles and practices of transit design and construction, including rail systems, stations, and related infrastructure; Federal, state, and local regulations governing transit design and construction, including FTA requirements; Contemporary principles of tunnel design and construction, including structural, geotechnical, and systems engineering; Underground construction methods, including ground improvement, spoils/muck removal, boring, support of excavation, and other requirements associated with tunneling; Principles and practices of organization, administration, and fiscal and personnel management, contracting, and records management in a public sector environment; Principles, techniques, and processes of government at the local, regional, state, and federal levels; Federal, state, and local processes required for regulatory and funding approval for large-scale transit projects; Legislative processes and strategies for effective advocacy; Principles of supervision, training, employee development, and effective discipline; Methods and techniques of public sector budgeting and cost reporting; Principles of effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution; Local, regional, state, and federal funding sources, programs, and grant eligibility processes.