Mid-West Area Manager, Transportation

GFT is looking for a Transportation Area Manager to join our team in the Mid-West Region!

What you’ll be challenged to do:

Reporting the the Regional Leader, the Area Manager has strategy, growth, operational and P&L responsibility for a defined geographic area within the Transportation Business Group. The Area Manager sets direction, drives growth, leads people, and ensures profitable, high-quality project delivery in alignment with Regional, Business Group, and enterprise priorities. 

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Strategy, Growth and Client Relationship

• Develop and execute the Area business plan and growth strategy, including market, client, practice sales, investment, and hiring priorities. 
• Own the area pipeline and sales forecast; identify, position, prioritize, and advance opportunities from lead through pursuit, win, booking and project start.
• Lead or approve go/no-go recommendations, teaming, capture plans, pursuit investments, pricing inputs, proposal reviews, and interview preparation within the delegated authority.
• Build trusted relationships with priority clients, industry partners, and community stakeholders; serve as client service leader (CSL), capture manager/pursuit leader, or executive sponsor for selected accounts and opportunities. 
• Monitor client capital programs, funding, market trends, and competitors; convert insight into focused growth actions and measurable sales results. 
• Collaborate across Regions, Business Lines, Practices, and the Growth Office to cross-sell services, share resources, and pursue the best opportunities for GFT. 

Operations and P&L

• Own Area Financial and operating results, including net revenue, sales, wins, bookings, backlog, profitability/EBITDA, utilization, net labor multiplier, project variance, WIP, accounts receivable (AR), overhead/indirect costs, and cash performance. 
• Build and manage annual budgets for the area; review performance through disciplined operating cadence and take timely corrective action.
• Lead workload, capacity, and resource planning; deploy and share staff across workgroups, Areas, Regions, and Practices to support utilization, staff development, and reliable project delivery. 
• Hold Org Leaders, Project Principals, and Project Managers accountable for scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, client satisfaction, invoicing, collections/cash, and profitable delivery. 
• Review general project health and high-risk projects; escalate identified issues and lead recovery actions that protect clients, staff, and Area profitability. 
• Ensure compliance with the Quality Management System, safety requirements, contracts, company policies, professional standards, and applicable regulations. 

People and Organizational Leadership

• Lead Org Managers, Group Leaders, and other Area level staff with clear goals, accountability, visible communication, sound judgement, and a GFT-first approach. 
• Own workforce planning and hiring; identify critical capabilities, set staffing priorities within delegated authority, and partner with Talent Acquisition and Org Leaders to recruit and onboard staff. 
• Coach and develop employees; manager performance, engagement, retention, succession, promotions, and leadership readiness for key roles. 
• Build a collaborative culture of safety, quality, inclusion, learning, innovation, and continuous improvement while modeling GFT values and leadership expectations. 
• Serve as a Project Principal or Project Manager on strategic project assignments when appropriate. 

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, architecture, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional licensure, registration, or relevant certification, and where required, ability to obtain credentials in applicable jurisdictions. 
• 15+ years of progressive transportation consulting, design planning, program management, or related experience, including at least 5 years leading staff and managers. 
• Demonstrated success managing P&L, building client relationships, developing business, leading strategic pursuits, and delivering complex infrastructure projects profitably. 
• Strong financial acumen and business judgment, with excellent communication, negotiation, collaboration, and presentation skills. 

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Location: Any Mid-West Region officeCore Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMEmployment Status: Full-Time

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