South Atlantic Director of Transit & Rail

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Director of Transit & Rail Planning, South Atlantic Area | Charlotte 

In this role, you would join a group delivering some of the most transformative transit and railroad projects across the region while overseeing business development activities, leading a multidisciplinary team, and delivering projects. The business development efforts will include client management and maintenance, identifying new opportunities, and leading major project pursuits. Team management will include developing, mentoring, and growing the team of transit and rail planners and engineers. Project delivery services will include leading complex transit and railroad projects from the early planning phase through construction and implementation. Typical projects involve light rail transit, metro rail, bus and bus rapid transit, intercity passenger rail, commuter rail, and freight rail services.  

Responsibilities  

• Develop a vision and implementation strategies for local and regional groups and communicate these across region  
• Maintain active market knowledge while understanding internal and external capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses  
• Support regional and corporate strategic initiatives while promoting a OneVHB mentality  
• Assist with annual business planning when we set our goals for the coming years  
• Guide business development efforts through an emphasis on advance positioning and early identification of strategic pursuits   
• Coordinate teaming decisions with VHB leadership  
• Lead and oversee key pursuits   
• Manage and prepare technical and cost proposals  
• Manage and grow key client relationships  
• Lead and help grow a multidisciplinary team of transit and rail focused planners and engineers 
• Take an active role in the development and mentoring of staff  
• Manage high-profile projects of various size and complexity  
• Develop, manage, and maintain project schedules and budgets  
• Lead development of project deliverables and provide quality control  
• Manage financial progress on projects  
• Prepare and deliver technical reports, analyses, and presentations  
• Represent VHB at conferences, seminars, and industry events  

Skills and Abilities  

• Strategic thinker with ability to develop a vision for the practice   
• Ability to thrive in highly collaborative team environments   
• Deep market knowledge and visibility across the industry  
• Strong understanding of transit and rail infrastructure
• Ability and interest to engage, inspire, mentor our best and brightest   
• Excellent technical written and verbal communication skills   
• Excellent public speaking and business development skills  
• Excellent project management skills  
• Strong capability in use of computer applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint  
• Proficiency with project management applications (MS Project and/or Primavera)  

Qualifications  

• Degree in Urban/Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering, or related field  
• 15 years of progressive technical experience in transit and rail planning and implementation of bus and rail transit improvements, with at least 10 years of project management experience  
• Demonstrated and progressive relationship with South-Atlantic-area transit and railroad clients such as NCDOT, CATS, MARTA, GoTriangle, GoRaleigh, SCDOT, FDOT, LYNX, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FTA and FRA processes and federal and state transportation regulations and programs  
• Proven ability to manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers, planners, and scientists  

We are VHB! We’re an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment. 

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes: 

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace  

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30 offices on the East Coast. We’re growing, and we hope you’ll join us! 

VHB is a proud Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion—supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. All individuals receive consideration for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination for race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

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