Director, Transportation OperationsTransportation Jobs with David Evans and Associates:The
Transportation Business Unit is seeking a
Director, Transportation Operations in
Portland, Beaverton, Bend, Corvallis, or
Salem, OR; Los Angeles, Ontario, Santa Clarita, Temecula, Tustin, or
Victorville/Apple Valley, CA; Denver, CO; Boise, Coeur d'Alene, or Pocatello, ID; Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY; College Station, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Bellevue, Bellingham, Everett, Olympia, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Tri-Cities, Tukwila, or
Woodinville, WA.
The Director of Transportation Operations (BU/COE III) leads operational planning and execution for the TBU in support of DEA's overall strategy. This role translates business priorities into disciplined practice operations, accountable talent leadership, effective resource deployment, strong project performance, and consistent financial results.
The Director partners closely with the TBU Business Leader while maintaining primary accountability for day-to-day operational effectiveness across TBU practices.
What You'll DoKey Responsibilities:Operational Leadership- Lead operational planning for the TBU and convert strategic priorities into practical operating plans.
- Drive consistent execution across practices, including utilization, workshare, staffing, training, and project reviews.
- Monitor account receivables and unbilled while minimizing project write-offs and DSO.
- Host the Practice Leaders call and participate in Market Leaders calls as appropriate.
- Contribute to the All TBU Update.
- Serve as an operational partner and audience for annual strategic planning, budgeting, and financial updates.
People and Practice Leadership- Directly lead and manage the Practice Leaders and Project Coordination and Controls Group, including performance expectations, feedback, coaching, development, and accountability.
- Strengthen employee engagement, retention, and people operations across the Practices.
- Maintain accountability for staff training, workforce readiness, and the effective deployment of talent.
- Promote a safe work environment and support the health and safety of practices and individuals.
Financial and Delivery Performance- Deliver practice-level performance in growth, net revenue, profit, and individual and group utilization.
- Set and manage utilization goals for all Practices.
- Lead resource utilization and workshare decisions to balance demand, capacity, and employee development opportunities.
- Conduct project reviews and oversee major contract decisions in partnership with the appropriate leaders.
- Identify operating risks early and implement corrective actions to protect delivery, quality, and profitability.
Partnership with the TBU Business Leader- Provide operational insights and recommendations that support TBU strategy, budget decisions, growth objectives, and overall performance.
- Partner on shared accountabilities, including:
- Revenue forecasting
- Employee engagement
- Feedback and coaching
- Health and safety
- Growth and net revenue
- Profit
- DSO
- Utilization
- Major contract decisions
- Support execution of market-growth priorities while the TBU Business Leader retains accountability for the full TBU P&L, client satisfaction, net sales, market expansion, and enterprise-level TBU metrics.
What Success Looks Like:- Operational plans are executed consistently across practices.
- Practice profit, net revenue, and utilization goals are achieved.
- Resources are deployed effectively across practices and workshare opportunities.
- Accounts receivables consistently under 10% of net revenues and annual write-offs near 1% of net revenues.
- Project reviews and major contract decisions are timely, disciplined, and risk informed.
- Practice Leaders and teams demonstrate strong performance, engagement, retention, and readiness.
- Staff training and health and safety expectations are consistently met.
What You BringRequired Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, urban and regional planning, transportation planning, construction management, business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in a complex consulting organization, preferably within transportation, civil engineering, planning, construction management, or a related professional services environment, including experience leading managers, practice leaders, or multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated ability to translate business-unit strategy into practical operating plans, staffing priorities, resource utilization decisions, and measurable execution across multiple practices or disciplines.
- Strong financial and operational acumen, including experience managing or influencing revenue, profit, utilization, DSO, forecasting, budgeting, project performance, and risk mitigation.
- Experience leading performance expectations, coaching, accountability, employee engagement, retention, workforce readiness, and leadership development for professional staff.
- Experience working in the transportation industry or a closely related infrastructure consulting environment.
- Ability to travel as needed and work in a hybrid or in-office leadership capacity.
Preferred Qualifications:- Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain licensure.
- Experience leading transportation operations within an engineering consulting environment at a senior manager, director, practice, or business-unit level.
- Experience supporting major contract decisions, project reviews, workshare planning, and resource deployment across geographically dispersed teams.
Potential office locations include: Portland, OR; Beaverton, OR; Bend, OR; Corvallis, OR; Salem, OR; Los Angeles, CA; Ontario, CA; Santa Clarita, CA; Temecula, CA; Tustin, CA; Victorville/Apple Valley, CA; Denver, CO; Boise, ID; Coeur d'Alene, ID; Pocatello, ID; Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY; College Station, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Bellevue, WA; Bellingham, WA; Everett, WA; Olympia, WA; Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA; Tacoma, WA; Tri-Cities, WA; Tukwila, WA; Woodinville, WA.
