Mid-West Area Manager, Transportation

GFT; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 196,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Wellness programs and parental leave

Pet insurance

401(k) savings plan

Competitive PTO accrual

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Transportation Area Manager to lead the Mid-West Region, owning strategy, growth and P&L for a defined geography within the Transportation Business Group. You will build client relationships, guide project delivery, and align with regional priorities.

The role requires 15+ years in transportation consulting or design planning, with at least 5 years leading teams, plus strong financial acumen and communication skills. Hybrid work and a comprehensive benefits package are provided.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in transportation consulting, design planning, program management or related experience.
• At least 5 years leading staff and managers.
• Proven success managing P&L and building client relationships.
• Ability to develop business and deliver complex infrastructure projects profitably.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Area business plan and growth strategy within the Middle West region.
• Own the area pipeline and sales forecast; advance opportunities from lead to project start.
• Lead go/no-go decisions, teaming, capture plans and pricing inputs.
• Build trusted relationships with priority clients, industry partners, and community stakeholders; serve as CSL or pursuit leader.
• Monitor market trends, funding, and competitors; translate insights into growth actions.
• Collaborate across Regions and Practices to cross-sell services and pursue best opportunities for GFT.
• Own Area financials including net revenue, profitability, and cash performance.
• Lead workload and resource planning; deploy staff to support utilization and delivery.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management System, safety requirements, and contracts.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Client relations

Business development

Communication

Negotiation

Presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/planning/architecture or related field

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is looking for a Transportation Area Manager to join our team in the Mid-West Region!

What You Will Do

GFT is looking for a Transportation Area Manager to join our team in the Mid-West Region!

What You’ll Be Challenged To Do

Reporting the the Regional Leader, the Area Manager has strategy, growth, operational and P&L responsibility for a defined geographic area within the Transportation Business Group. The Area Manager sets direction, drives growth, leads people, and ensures profitable, high-quality project delivery in alignment with Regional, Business Group, and enterprise priorities.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Strategy, Growth and Client Relationship

• Develop and execute the Area business plan and growth strategy, including market, client, practice sales, investment, and hiring priorities.
• Own the area pipeline and sales forecast; identify, position, prioritize, and advance opportunities from lead through pursuit, win, booking and project start.
• Lead or approve go/no-go recommendations, teaming, capture plans, pursuit investments, pricing inputs, proposal reviews, and interview preparation within the delegated authority.
• Build trusted relationships with priority clients, industry partners, and community stakeholders; serve as client service leader (CSL), capture manager/pursuit leader, or executive sponsor for selected accounts and opportunities.
• Monitor client capital programs, funding, market trends, and competitors; convert insight into focused growth actions and measurable sales results.
• Collaborate across Regions, Business Lines, Practices, and the Growth Office to cross-sell services, share resources, and pursue the best opportunities for GFT.

Operations and P&L

• Own Area Financial and operating results, including net revenue, sales, wins, bookings, backlog, profitability/EBITDA, utilization, net labor multiplier, project variance, WIP, accounts receivable (AR), overhead/indirect costs, and cash performance.
• Build and manage annual budgets for the area; review performance through disciplined operating cadence and take timely corrective action.
• Lead workload, capacity, and resource planning; deploy and share staff across workgroups, Areas, Regions, and Practices to support utilization, staff development, and reliable project delivery.
• Hold Org Leaders, Project Principals, and Project Managers accountable for scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, client satisfaction, invoicing, collections/cash, and profitable delivery.
• Review general project health and high-risk projects; elevate identified issues and lead recovery actions that protect clients, staff, and Area profitability.
• Ensure compliance with the Quality Management System, safety requirements, contracts, company policies, professional standards, and applicable regulations.

People and Organizational Leadership

• Lead Org Managers, Group Leaders, and other Area level staff with clear goals, accountability, visible communication, sound judgement, and a GFT-first approach.
• Own workforce planning and hiring; identify critical capabilities, set staffing priorities within delegated authority, and partner with Talent Acquisition and Org Leaders to recruit and onboard staff.
• Coach and develop employees; manager performance, engagement, retention, succession, promotions, and leadership readiness for key roles.
• Build a collaborative culture of safety, quality, inclusion, learning, innovation, and continuous improvement while modeling GFT values and leadership expectations.
• Serve as a Project Principal or Project Manager on strategic project assignments when appropriate.

Education | Experience:

What You Will Bring To Our Firm

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, architecture, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional licensure, registration, or relevant certification, and where required, ability to obtain credentials in applicable jurisdictions.
• 15+ years of progressive transportation consulting, design planning, program management, or related experience, including at least 5 years leading staff and managers.
• Demonstrated success managing P&L, building client relationships, developing business, leading strategic pursuits, and delivering complex infrastructure projects profitably.
• Strong financial acumen and business judgment, with excellent communication, negotiation, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $196,000 - $320,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Any Mid-West Region office

Core Business Hours:

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status:

Full-Time

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles-

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco-

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California

-Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.