Transit Planning Manager - Transit & Rail

ABOUT THE POSITION

Transit Planning Manager - Transit & Rail | Charlotte, NC | Raleigh, NC

Elevate your career with VHB in Charlotte or Raleigh, North Carolina! We're seeking an exceptional professional to lead our transit planning efforts across North and South Carolina, supporting our broader VHB footprint. In this strategic role, reporting directly to our South Atlantic Area Director of Transit and Rail, you'll drive our success by leveraging your comprehensive transit planning experience at the state, regional, and local levels. Your established network within governmental entities is key to thriving in this position.

As the Transit Planning Manager - Transit & Rail you'll craft and implement marketing and delivery strategies that cater to our clients' unique needs, guide transit projects, develop growth strategies, and oversee service delivery. Additionally, you'll mentor and develop staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. This is your opportunity to transform communities and make a lasting impact in the transit industry with VHB.

Learn more about Life at VHB Charlotte!

Responsibilities

Manage and contribute to transit projects, overseeing planning, design, permitting, and implementation phases.
• Develop, manage, and maintain project scopes, schedules, and budgets.
• Lead development of project deliverables and provide quality control.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, secure contracts, and maintain relationships with current clients.
• Lead and participate in marketing campaigns to improve visibility with transit service providers.
• Actively contribute as a member of the Charlotte Leadership Team, attending regional conferences and industry events.
• Mentor staff, introducing them to key clients and fostering professional relationships.
• Assist with implementing VHB's 2028 Strategic Plan alongside the Charlotte Managing Director and the South Atlantic Area Director of Transit and Rail.
• Prepare and participate in client presentations, proposals, and discussions.
• Serve as technical task lead or project manager on multi-disciplinary bus transit projects, leading development of project deliverables and ensuring quality control.
• Help grow a multidisciplinary team of transit focused planners and engineers. Coordinate technical work, stakeholder engagement, and team communication for project success.
• Develop project strategies, cost estimates, schedules, and technical reports.
• Conduct research, analysis, and make recommendations to clients based on findings.

Skills & Knowledge

• Proven leadership experience in managing teams and projects, with a strong ability to motivate and collaborate.
• In-depth knowledge of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant programs, particularly the Capital Investment Grant program.
• Extensive experience writing and implementing state and federal grant applications.
• Experience in conducting transit and multimodal analyses, preparing reports, and developing transit service plans or designs.
• Strong reputation within state and local governments, with a proven ability to build and maintain client relationships.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with confidence in public speaking.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and set priorities effectively.
• Strong problem-solving skills in collaborative settings with clients, stakeholders, and teammates.
• Comprehensive knowledge of transit and transportation planning analysis methods.
• Proficient in ArcGIS and MS Office applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in transportation, planning, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• AICP certification.
• 11 - 15+ years of experience in multimodal transportation and transit planning.
• Proven experience collaborating with transit agencies in North and South Carolina.
• 10+ years of project management experience, including organizing and training junior-level staff.
• Track record of leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams in complex projects.

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 Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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