Director of Transportation

City of Raleigh; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 130,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Raleigh seeks a forward-thinking Director of Transportation to lead multi-modal planning and operations for a growing city. The role oversees transit, parking, road maintenance, and engineering for a comprehensive transportation system, reporting to the Assistant City Manager and collaborating with city leadership.

The candidate will guide strategic plans, manage budgets, and build strong relationships with regional partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation planning, traffic engineering, civil engineering, traffic engineering, public administration, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Transportation Department operations and programs; coordinate strategic planning and multi-modal initiatives.
• Direct staff supervision including performance evaluations, hiring, training, and disciplinary actions.
• Develop and manage department budgets; monitor expenditures and ensure compliance.
• Represent the City in discussions with City management, regional partners and various agencies.
• Develop short- and long-term goals and oversee contracts and program status communications.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget oversight

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in urban planning/transportation planning/public administration

Job description

The City of Raleigh, North Carolina invites forward-thinking, qualified candidates to apply for the Director of Transportation position. The City of Raleigh and this position offer a unique opportunity for a strong leader to institute and promote innovation, particularly in multi-modal planning and operations. The new Director will need to demonstrate the capacity to oversee major services such as the transit and parking systems; the city’s road and infrastructure maintenance needs; and planning and engineering for a successful multi-modal transportation system in a challenging and rapidly growing community. Raleigh has been listed as one of the fastest growing cities for several years - the City’s current estimated population is over 467,000 people, up from 291,141 in the 2000 Census. Raleigh is known for its high quality of life for its residents; in the 2024 Citywide Community Satisfaction Survey, 84 percent of respondents were satisfied with Raleigh as a place to live. Given its growth and increasing density, multi-modal transportation investments are critical for the City. The Director of Transportation reports directly to the Assistant City Manager but coordinates extensively with the City Manager and the other Assistant City Managers and works most frequently with the Assistant City Manager assigned to oversight of the Strategic Plan’s “Transit and Transportation” objectives and initiatives.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Oversees and provides direct staff supervision including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating, training, and implementing hiring, and discipline and termination procedures.
• Directs the implementation of operations and programs of the Transportation department; provides strategic planning; coordinates, administers, and evaluates programs, projects, processes, systems, standards, and/or services; prioritizes and directs projects and initiatives in alignment with organizational strategy, mission and vision; ensures compliance with applicable regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Provides oversight and operational direction to achieve departmental goals and objectives; develops and oversees the implementation of policies, procedures and standards; evaluates operational effectiveness and implements process improvements and resource optimization.
• Serves as an organizational and departmental representative by advising, consulting with and facilitating complex discussions with City management, City officials, boards, commissions, authorities, various agencies and/or other organizations.
• Develops short- and long-term goals, objectives, and strategic plans; oversees and/or negotiates contracts; provides and presents communications and updates on department activities, positions and project/program status.
• Develops, administers and oversees department operating budget. Reviews financial statements, monitors and approves expenditures and ensures compliance.
• Represents the City and develops and maintains strong relationships with regional partners, including the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Transportation Alliance, and others.

Education and Experience:

Candidates must possess any combination of education and/or experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful, such as a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, transportation planning, traffic engineering, civil engineering, traffic engineering, public administration, or related fields. A graduate degree or profession certification such as a MS, MPA, PE, or AICP is preferred.

Licensing and Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Compensation and Benefits:

The City of Raleigh offers a salary that is competitive for the communities of comparable stature and is based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. Benefits include participation in the Local Government Employees’ Retirement System, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, group life insurance matching 457B retirement savings plan, and medical/dental insurance.

ADA and Other Requirements

Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Work Environment:

Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment.

Work Exposures:

Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures. Employees may occasionally be exposed to individuals who are hostile or irate.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.