Senior Master Planner, Major Projects

 Reference Number : 643 

Status : Permanent - Full-time  

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $91 506 - $113 037

Number of positions to be filled : 1 

Application Deadline : 02/02/2025

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. 

Passenger rail service is a historical part of the fabric of Canada and, in certain areas, an essential service. VIA Rail is mindful of the crucial role we play in connecting Indigenous communities and how we support the cause of reconciliation. In addition, we have committed ourselves to provide a service that is accessible to all. VIA Rail believes that with visionary planning and wise investment, we will renew our network, while building an enhanced passenger rail system that supports key national priorities: reconciliation, accessibility, fighting climate change and encouraging economic growth.

The Long-Distance, Regional and Remote (LDRR) lines serve many major cities and several Indigenous communities: they are a crucial vital link. In addition, they bring travellers from around the world to see some of Canada’s most glorious landscapes on the iconic The Canadian, The Ocean and The Hudson Bay lines. As the LDRR fleet is aging, VIA Rail is launching an ambitious program for its renewal. As the project core team will be centralized in Montréal, the program’s span will reach across Canada as the new locomotives and cars will enter into service.

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager Project Control and working in close collaboration with the LDRR Program Sr. Manager, the LDRR Senior Master Planner will be dedicated to the LDRR renewal program, playing a key leadership role in ensuring the seamless coordination of interrelated activities within a complex multi-project program. This role requires a proactive approach to aligning interfaces between internal stakeholders and suppliers. This will ensure alignment with ViaRail’s strategic goals, program objectives, and target deadlines.

Planning

• In collaboration with the Program Sr. Manager, take charge of program planning by leading the integration of project plans developed by project managers and project controllers & planners into a master plan;
• Coordinate the review of the Master Plan with stakeholders. Apply best practices and act as an expert resource. Develop, communicate and ensure consistency of plannings and critical path analysis;
• Support relevant functional teams in the implementation of demand and capacity management and ensure overall integrity through the use of best practices established by the CPMO and the use of the EPM (Project Online) solution deployed for this purpose;
• Review and provide feedback on suppliers' detailed schedules to ensure quality, interface alignment, and consistency with the overall objectives and milestones of the program's master schedule;
• Prepares the master plan which integrates and organizes all internal and external program supplier schedules;
• Works with Project Managers and Project Controllers to improve the quality of project plans in accordance with best practices and planning standards;
• Define all key activities at the program management level and ensures consistent task relationships between all project plans and the master plan;
• Works in a complex project environment given the multitude of project plans required for the program;

Maintain the plan up to date and provide insight

• Stays responsible for closely monitoring the progress of each project and workstream, ensuring that any deviations from the plan are promptly detected and flagged for timely mitigation. By actively tracking potential risks and bottlenecks, they will ensure that corrective actions are implemented to keep the program on track;
• Acts as the guide for ensuring that the delivery of individual production units is synchronized and aligned with the overall program schedule. This involves orchestrating the on-time delivery of each component to prevent delays that could impact the program’s critical paths;
• Collaborates with project teams, stakeholders, and suppliers to ensure that all deliverables are met according to fixed deadlines, avoiding any compromises to the program’s success;
• The Senior Master Planner is the essence in driving program integration, guaranteeing that all projects work in harmony to achieve the target dates without disrupting the overall timeline. They ensure that potential risks are proactively mitigated and that dependencies between projects are well-managed to support successful program delivery;
• Leads work sessions to develop and maintain a clear and reliable critical path;
• Constantly monitors the health (quality) of the master plan and project plans;
• Provides visibility to the program management team on master plan progress and potential delays/obstacles;
• Develop value-added performance indicators to monitor the health of the program;
• Analyze performance indicators and integrate the information to present value-added reports that will improve the. execution of the program;
• Supporting the LDRR Program Senior Manager, coordinate with stream leaders to generate periodic reporting on performance KPIs and program health.

Integration with Project control & Risk                                                                      

• Provide support to PCO for keeping the WBS of the project schedules and the CBS always linked in order to create liable cost projections;
• Establishes the overall resource plan based on the master plan, in collaboration with stakeholders;
• Identifies capacity gaps, adapts the plan if necessary, and makes recommendations;
• Is the reference person in terms of integrated program capacity management;
• Collaborates with the Risk Advisor to run Monte-Carlo simulations on the master schedule to evaluate risk of delays;
• Collaborates with CPMO to establish processes, governance and methodology for program and project capacity management at VIA Rail;
• Collaborates with other Master Planners to develop program and project planning standards for VIA Rail within the CPMO;

Competencies:

• Hold a master’s degree in engineering or project management;
• 10 years of relevant experience;
• Experience in project or program management, such as project governance, project dashboard/performance management, and related tools; a combination of experience and training will be considered;
• Proven experience in strategic planning and integrated capacity management;
• A minimum of 5 years experience as a team manager with direct or indirect reports;
• Experience and knowledge of project management tools such as SharePoint Online, Project Online;
• Proficient in the Office suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Word;
• Expertise in executing Monte Carlo analysis on risks affecting the schedule;
• Knowledge of Power BI is an asset;
• PMP certification is an asset.

Skills and abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, in French and English;
• Expertise in MS Project and EPM (Enterprise Project Management) and Primavera applications;
• Office suite skills, to be able to model complex scenarios and plans;
• Creative and resourceful in problem-solving, demonstrating a customer-oriented approach;
• Ability to communicate complex issues to high-level decision-makers and executives with analytic approach;
• Demonstrated leadership and autonomy;
• Ability to lead teams locally and remotely;
• Establish a common vision, clear direction and well-defined priorities;
• Results-oriented and purpose-driven;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the team, the Suppliers and internal clients;
• Skilled in handling numbers and data, with strong analytical and synthesis capabilities.

#VIAP1

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.

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