Program Handover Manager

Toronto, ON | Full-Time, Permanent

O’Hara Search Group is proud to partner with Bantrel in the search for a Program Handover Manager to support one of Canada's most significant transit infrastructure projects.

This leadership role is a key position within a major subway expansion program in Toronto. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight and direction for all project handover activities, ensuring the seamless transition of assets, systems, documentation, and operational readiness across multiple contractors and stakeholders.

Working within an integrated project delivery environment, you will collaborate with client teams, delivery partners, contractors, and operations representatives to develop and execute handover strategies that support safe, efficient, and commercially sound project delivery.

The Opportunity

The Program Handover Manager will provide leadership and functional guidance across all handover management activities while serving as a trusted advisor to senior project leadership on matters relating to people, processes, performance, readiness, and operational transition.

This project involves the delivery of more than 15 kilometres of new subway alignment and 15 stations, supported by multiple major design-build and PPP contractors, as well as numerous early works packages.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the program-wide turnover and handover strategy, coordinating input from project controls, planning, construction, commercial, commissioning, and assurance teams.
• Establish safe, efficient, and commercially compliant approaches to progressive turnover activities.
• Support project delivery teams in developing construction staging and handover plans aligned with overall program objectives.
• Lead the development and implementation of room readiness processes, checklists, progress monitoring, and reporting.
• Coordinate handover priorities with testing and commissioning teams, including requirements for dynamic testing.
• Oversee the delivery of handover documentation, completion processes, and asset transfer activities across multiple project segments and contractors.
• Develop systems completion, operational readiness, and handover execution plans, procedures, templates, and guidance documents.
• Establish clear division of responsibilities between construction teams, operators, end users, and other stakeholders for testing, training, operations, and handover requirements.
• Ensure asset data management and handover documentation meet customer and end-user expectations.
• Develop and maintain T-minus planning methodologies and earned value reporting to monitor readiness and handover performance.
• Track and communicate progress against key milestones, KPIs, schedules, and quality requirements.
• Provide executive-level reporting, analytics, and performance insights related to handover activities.
• Build strong relationships across project stakeholders, contractors, client teams, and senior leadership.
• Foster collaboration, problem-solving, and continuous improvement across multidisciplinary teams.
• Promote a culture of safety, integrity, inclusion, accountability, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in major infrastructure, transit, rail, transportation, or complex construction programs.
• Significant experience leading testing, commissioning, systems integration, or handover activities on large-scale railway or transportation projects.
• Strong understanding of project controls, planning, scheduling, contracts, procurement, and construction delivery.
• Experience developing handover plans, readiness frameworks, completion processes, and operational transition strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to work within large, integrated delivery environments involving multiple contractors and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage performance data to support decision-making and executive reporting.
• Knowledge of engineering, construction, commissioning, and operational requirements associated with major infrastructure projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced project environment.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a rare opportunity to play a leadership role on one of the largest transit infrastructure programs in Canada, helping shape the successful delivery and operational transition of a transformative public transportation project.

If you're passionate about complex infrastructure, operational readiness, and delivering successful project outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply confidentially through O’Hara Search Group. We are proud to partner with Bantrel in connecting exceptional talent with impactful projects across Canada's infrastructure sector.