Senior IT Project Manager – Vendor Management

Job Summary

Senior Project Managers directly interface with business and technology leaders to support enterprise delivery outcomes across CSX core business and technology initiatives. Senior Project Managers are accountable for end‑to‑end project execution, value delivery, and governance alignment in support of business and IT objectives. The role is primarily focused on near‑term and in‑flight initiatives, with strong emphasis on execution discipline, delivery transparency, and alignment to broader strategic goals.

This position supports the Vendor Management Office (VMO) within CSX Technology. The VMO operates as an enterprise service responsible for optimizing vendor partnerships, financial performance, contractual adherence, and delivery quality across CSX Technology. With a significant third‑party vendor footprint, this role drives consistent project execution and governance related to vendor‑led and vendor‑supported initiatives. The Senior Project Manager partners closely with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and Technology teams to ensure vendor engagements deliver expected value, meet service commitments, and align with CSX policies and standards.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides a strong Project Management presence for IT governance and vendor management across active contracts and initiatives

• Acts as a change agent to help project teams and stakeholders adopt new tools and automated practices, improving consistency, scalability, and execution quality across the VMO portfolio.

• Drives standardization and repeatability by promoting automated reporting, workflow optimization, and data‑driven insights across vendor‑led and vendor‑supported projects.

• Uses AI‑supported insights to enhance delivery transparency, forecast accuracy, dependency management, and risk identification at the project and portfolio level

• Coordinates project/services initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure for initiatives within the VMO portfolio

• Serves as a primary point of coordination between internal stakeholders, vendors, and procurement partners throughout the project or contract lifecycle

• Oversees vendor deliverables to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, service levels, and quality standards

• Supports vendor performance evaluations, including delivery quality, timeliness, financial accuracy, and adherence to statements of work. 

• Produces executive‑level reporting aligned to project, portfolio, and VMO objectives, including cost, risk, dependency, and delivery health. 

General Knowledge and Skills

• Strong foundation in project management principles and delivery 

• Proven ability to influence stakeholders across organizational and vendor boundaries

• Experience leading and working within complex initiatives involving internal teams and external vendors 

• Working knowledge of AI‑enabled delivery, automation concepts, and data‑driven decision support within enterprise project and vendor management environments

• Financial and cost management acumen, including vendor cost tracking and forecasting 

• Ability to provide clear direction, prioritize work, and manage execution 

• Data analysis and reporting skills to support decision‑making and transparency 

• Critical thinking and structured problem‑solving 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive presentations 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree/4-year Degree
• 5 or more years of supervisory experience in managing or leading IT projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or working within a Vendor Management Office (VMO) 
• Experience managing third‑party providers, including MSAs, Statements of Work, and Time & Materials engagements 
• 8+ years of experience leading Transportation, Logistics, or Rail Operations IT initiatives 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification