Transportation Senior Vice President Overview:The Senior Vice President position is a Georgia Transportation based strategic, senior leadership role focused on supporting growth through business development and client relationship excellence within the Georgia transportation sector. This position is directly tied to advancing Gresham Smith's 2030 Strategic Direction by expanding market presence and deepening client engagement across Georgia, especially with client executives.
The leader will cultivate and strengthen high-value relationships with GDOT, Atlanta-area cities and counties, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), and other key public-sector stakeholders. This role reports to the Georgia Transportation State Leader and collaborates closely with the Southeast Regional Leader, Market Vice Presidents (MVPs), and Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs) to ensure alignment with firmwide growth initiatives and elevation of the Gresham Smith brand across the Atlanta region.
Key Responsibilities:- Principal Executive and/or Senior Project Manager on select contracts where appropriate based on client relationships. Engages, supports, and directs team in the execution of high quality customer service and work deliverables.
- Support the Georgia State Leader with the development and execution of client engagement and business development strategies to grow Gresham Smith's transportation practice throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and the rest of Georgia as appropriate.
- Build and nurture trusted relationships with senior management and leaders at GDOT, government officials and elected leaders at municipal and county governments, ARC, MARTA, and related agencies to secure new business opportunities.
- Support executive client engagement efforts to win contracts for new services and to secure larger contract wins with GDOT and other local agencies.
- Collaborate with the Atlanta Regional Growth Team (RGT) and other markets to coordinate efforts, share market intelligence, share client relationships, expand strategic partnerships, enhance community engagement efforts, and position the firm as a preferred partner for the major public and private sector clients in the region.
- Represent Gresham Smith as a senior advisor and strategic partner in public and industry forums, raising the firm's visibility and reinforcing its leadership position.
- Work in alignment with the firm's Transportation 2030 Strategic Direction objectives, focusing on elevating the client's experience, geographic market expansion, client-centric growth, and multi-market collaboration.
- Engage with Regional Leaders, MVPs, and EVPs regularly to integrate insights and advance coordinated business development initiatives across markets.
- Provide mentorship, promote best practices, and support internal knowledge sharing to strengthen the client engagement capability of the Georgia transportation team.
- Support Transportation market leaders with efforts for shared government and public relations strategies and implementation.
Qualifications:- Multiple decades of proven success in transportation business development, especially with state DOTs, local governments, and regional planning agencies in Georgia or comparable markets.
- Established track record of building influential relationships with government officials and elected leaders at senior levels.
- Deep understanding of Georgia's transportation market dynamics, including GDOT, Atlanta metro governments, MARTA and ARC.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
- Alignment with Gresham Smith's Core Values and commitment to supporting the Transportation 2030 Strategic Direction.
- Valid driver's license.
- Must be willing to travel on a routine basis.
- A demonstrated track record of strong leadership skills and the ability to generate new business opportunities.
- Must have effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Must have critical thinking skills along with the ability to plan and conceptualize.
Performance Metrics / KPIs:- Strategic Growth and Market Expansion
- Achievement of targeted new business wins in Georgia transportation markets (GDOT, cities, counties, ARC, others).
- Advance priorities identified in Regional Growth Teams (RGTs) or similar multi-market client growth teams focused on Georgia.
- Measurable increase in Gresham Smith's market share and project pipeline within the Atlanta metropolitan area and broader Georgia region.
- Client Engagement and Relationship Development
- Number and quality of high-level meetings held with senior government officials and elected leaders.
- Development and maintenance of a robust stakeholder contact database with engagement tracking.
- Positive feedback from key clients and internal client teams regarding responsiveness and strategic partnership value.
- Brand Elevation and Strategic Positioning
- In collaboration with the Atlanta RGT, execution of outreach initiatives enhancing brand visibility in government and industry forums.
- Active participation in or leadership of multi-market client growth teams, contributing to cross-regional growth.
- Recognition by external and internal leadership of role effectiveness in advancing the Transportation 2030 Strategic Direction in Georgia.
- Workforce and Leadership Development
- Contribution to internal mentoring or training sessions supporting knowledge transfer and growth within the Georgia transportation team.
- Support for talent pipeline activities including identification and engagement of key senior leadership candidates in line with succession planning.
- Management Feedback
- Regular positive feedback from the Georgia Transportation State Leader, Regional Leader, MVPs, and EVPs on the impact and alignment of the role with firm priorities.
- Delivery of assigned actions and goals set in firmwide and market initiatives supporting strategic direction.
Join Us If you're excited to bring your talents to a collaborative, people-first environment where you can make an impact while growing your career, we'd love to hear from you.
Here's what you can expect: Professional Growth: In-house Learning, Tuition Reimbursement, Licensure Support, Professional Organization Engagement.
Culture that Cares: 93% of employees say they feel cared for, and 96% are confident in our future success.
Competitive Benefits:
- Flexible Schedules & Generous PTO
- Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs)
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Short- & Long-term Disability, Paid Life & AD&D
- Supplemental, Critical Care, Pet, Legal & ID Theft Insurance
- Family Planning and Parental Leave
- Mass/Public Transit Program
- Telemedicine and Employee Assistance Program
