Senior Project Manager - IT Portfolio & Major Projects

Reference Number : 1394 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $102,816 - $120,960

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 08/07/2026

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. 

This position is to lead and manage projects within the IT portfolio.  The Senior Project Manager - IT Portfolio & Major Projects will oversee and manage the projects’ design, development, implementation, and acceptance to ensure successful project delivery and transition to the operational teams. The role involves managing the projects’ schedules, budgets, and scopes as well as managing the VIA internal project teams, and the external suppliers to ensure timely completion of all activities and deliverables and remain aligned with the PMO (Project Management Office targets.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management:

• Work with team members to plan the projects and define the project’s scope of work, budget, and schedule;

• Develop detailed project plans and schedules and define the project’s critical path with the support of the master planner;

• Prepare and manage project budgets and ensure financial compliance;

• Prepare the Project Management Plan (PMP);

• Lead and oversee the project’s execution and day-to-day activities to ensure and maintain projects’ progress and on time delivery;

• Manage the project in collaboration with external suppliers;

• Ensure that the external suppliers’ associated scope, activities, and deliverables are completed according to the agreed upon targets and schedules;

• Manage and track the project scope, budget, financial forecasts, deadlines, and dependencies;

• Ensure the progress of the project phases with thorough monitoring and rigorous follow-ups of project delivery;

• Oversee the projects to ensure that the outcomes meet the agreed-upon requirements and stakeholder expectations;

• Engage and mobilize cross-functional teams of internal resources and external resources from various firms;

• Conduct stakeholder management through stakeholder analysis, engagement, and expectations alignment;

• Manage project risks by leading risk identification sessions with stakeholders and subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to identify, assess, and document project risks, and develop associated mitigation strategies;

• Identify, track, and address project issues in collaboration with the project team;

• Define the project and milestones approval criteria;

• Collaborate in defining the gate criteria list to ensure successful handover to the operations and to obtain sign-off from the stakeholders; and

• Ensure proper project closure and handover to IT Operations and/or business functions.

Project and Program Governance:

• Put in place the project governance framework (decision making and management committees) outlined in the project management plan (PMP);

• Organize, schedule, and lead monthly Steering Committee meetings, as well as prepare presentations, and provide executive summaries;

• Report on the project status and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to the project Steering Committee and PMO leadership

PMO methodologies and the deliverables:

• Ensure appropriate project quality management processes are in place and are followed;

• Follow and ensure that the projects comply with the Corporate Project Management Office (CPMO) guidelines, standards, methodologies, deliverables, and gating process;

• Ensure compliance with governance in the processes and decisions affecting supplier selection and contractual agreements;

• Contribute to ongoing improvement by seeking ways of optimizing processes for delivering the project on budget and on time.

New initiatives and procurement process:

• Coordinate and assist in preparing business cases with a cross-functional team;

• Lead and prepare statements of work (SOW) with a cross-functional team.

• Collaborate with the Procurement lead in managing the Procurement process covering the Request for Proposal-RFP, proposal evaluations, recommendations, negotiations, and contract agreement.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree in information systems management, business administration, computer science, engineering, or equivalent; 

• 10 to 15 years of experience in information technology (IT) project management;

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is an asset; and

• Railway industry experience is an asset.

• Experience in marketing and business projects is an asset

• Fluent in English and French, both written and spoken.

• Experience in managing major, large scale IT projects.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!