Transit/Rail Practice Lead

My client is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to grow a high-performing Rail & Transit practice. This leadership role is responsible for driving strategic growth, delivering complex projects, and fostering long-term client relationships within the transit and rail industry. The successful candidate will oversee strategic planning, business development, and project execution, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the strategic growth of the Rail & Transit practice in alignment with broader business objectives.
• Collaborate with internal leadership to implement strategic planning, sales, and marketing initiatives.
• Represent the organization externally, promoting its values and capabilities in the marketplace.

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Build, maintain, and expand long-term relationships with key clients, partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Generate new revenue streams for the organization.
• Lead business development efforts, including lead identification, proposal development, presentations, and negotiations.
• Stay informed about market trends to create differentiated technical solutions that respond to client needs.

Project & Technical Oversight

• Oversee project delivery as either Project Director or Technical Director on major and strategic projects.
• Manage all phases of project delivery-from planning and design to execution-ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, and budget while maintaining the highest quality standards.
• Ensure all projects comply with applicable regulations, codes, and safety standards and internal business procedures.

Team & Resource Management

• Provide leadership and direction to a multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing work environment.
• Mentor and guide staff, focusing on career development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Oversee staffing strategies to ensure resource needs are met across projects and initiatives.

Financial & Operational Management

• Direct and manage operating budgets, ensuring financial targets are met.
• Coordinate staffing assignments and priorities across departments and projects.
• Implement standardized project delivery, sales, and contracting processes to ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in the transportation industry with an emphasis on rail and transit.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Demonstrated success in business development, client engagement, and project management with multiple large transit-related organizations.
• Business plan to bring/generate new revenue streams within the first year.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.
• Understanding of key strategic and/or operational considerations of large transportation organizations.

Preferred:

• Deep knowledge of multi-modal transportation design standards and regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with demand forecasting and cost modeling approaches and techniques.
• Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams and manage high-profile infrastructure projects.
• Active involvement in professional transportation or infrastructure organizations.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $180,000 - $280,000 with benefits.
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement contributions, and discretionary annual bonuses.
• Generous paid time off including vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and volunteering days.
• Regular performance reviews and opportunities for professional development.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with support through Employee Resource Groups.