Manager - Regional Planning

Houston-Galveston Area Council; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston-Galveston Area Council is seeking a Manager for its Metropolitan Planning Organization to lead regional transportation planning, oversee a multimodal program, and mentor staff in a hybrid work environment. The role focuses on RTP development, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive MPO experience, strong leadership, and a solid background in budgeting, contracting, and cross-agency collaboration within

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study.
• 5 years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school, or in job-related duties.
• Experience developing statements of work, managing contracts, and other procurement-related activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, maintenance, and implementation of the region’s long-range Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in compliance with federal and state transportation planning requirements, including financial planning and coordination with air quality conformity staff
• Ensure transportation planning processes align with federal performance management requirements, environmental considerations, equity objectives, safety goals, and regional priorities
• Direct consultant teams and internal staff in preparation of technical analyses, planning documents, public engagement activities, and project development efforts
• Develop and manage program budgets, scopes of work, schedules, grant requirements, and consultant contracts related to planning initiatives
• Manage multimodal transportation planning initiatives encompassing roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, freight, resilience, and emerging mobility systems.
• Ensure engagement with regional stakeholders through subcommittees, project stakeholder groups, and other grassroots outreach efforts
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate planning staff while fostering collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence within the department

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Contract management

Staff supervision

Hybrid collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Urban Planning

Job description

About Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day.

We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

What will I be doing?

As a Manager for the Houston-Galveston Area Council Metropolitan Planning Organization, you will be solving regional transportation issues and leading a multimodal planning team for the fourth-largest Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in the country.

• Lead development, maintenance, and implementation of the region’s long-range Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in compliance with federal and state transportation planning requirements, including financial planning and coordination with air quality conformity staff
• Ensure transportation planning processes align with federal performance management requirements, environmental considerations, equity objectives, safety goals, and regional priorities
• Direct consultant teams and internal staff in preparation of technical analyses, planning documents, public engagement activities, and project development efforts
• Develop and manage program budgets, scopes of work, schedules, grant requirements, and consultant contracts related to planning initiatives
• Manage multimodal transportation planning initiatives encompassing roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, freight, resilience, and emerging mobility systems.
• Ensure engagement with regional stakeholders through subcommittees, project stakeholder groups, and other grassroots outreach efforts
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate planning staff while fostering collaboration, professional development, and operational excellence within the department

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of key functions of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and demonstrated experience with Metropolitan Planning Organizations or relevant organizations such as state Departments of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and policies related to transportation planning
• Experience preparing technical transportation documents, managing projects, and personnel budgets
• Exceptional project management, communication, and presentation skills
• Understand the needs of key transportation planning stakeholders, along with the ability to build consensus among diverse groups
• Experience developing statements of work, managing contracts, and other procurement-related activities
• Ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse staff in the hybrid work environment
• Demonstrated leadership experience collaborating and working with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Do you have…

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study
• 5 years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school, or in job-related duties

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related field of study
• 8 years of experience working in transportation planning and related project management
• Experience working with the Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Comprehensive understanding of transportation policies, best practices, and federal and statewide planning regulations

Salary Range- $125,000.00-$139,500.00

All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in serving our region.

H-GAC is an Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicablelaw.

All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.

H-GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.