Project Director and Municipal Lead

HNTB Corporation; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

HNTB Corporation in Atlanta seeks a Project Director to lead the development and execution of the project management plan for mega and super mega transportation projects, serving as primary client liaison and overseeing contract, controls, risk, and change management.

The role emphasizes building client relationships, ensuring financial performance, staffing, and pursuing new opportunities while guiding staff across multiple projects within SDA and SSA frameworks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of relevant experience including 4 years managing mega/super mega projects.
• Experience in transportation/planning with leadership capacity.

Responsibilities

• Develops and nurtures key client relationships; primary company contact on assigned projects.
• Communicates effectively with clients to identify needs and strategies.
• Responsible for financial performance on projects.
• Manage cash, budget, schedule and scope to meet goals.
• Staff projects by coordinating with leadership and staffing plans.
• Lead pursuits of mega projects and participate in super mega pursuits.

Skills

Client relationships

Budget management

Strategic planning

Leadership

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

What We’re Looking For At HNTB

At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners. This opportunity entails being responsible for leading the development and execution of the project management plan while building and maintaining effective and meaningful client relationships. This position serves as the primary client liaison responsible for managing and delivering all aspects of one or more mega ($5M+) and/or super mega ($25M+) projects including contracting, project controls, quality, risk and change management. The Project Director implements the firm’s project delivery plan using HNTB's Sophisticated Delivery Approach (SDA) on each project.

What You’ll Do

• Develops and nurtures key client relationships and is the primary company contact on assigned projects.
• Communicates effectively with clients to identify needs and evaluate alternative business solutions and strategies.
• Responsible for financial performance on projects.
• Proactive management of cash, budget, schedule and project scope to ensure adherence to project goals and completion to the client's satisfaction.
• Sets priorities, obtains commitments, and engages required resources through collaboration with Group Directors, Department Managers and/or Section Managers to staff projects according to the project Work Plan.
• Collaborates with office and division leadership in solving challenges and ensuring business objectives are met.
• Supervises and mentors’ team to achieve overall project objectives.
• Where appropriate, oversees the project's Project Manager(s).
• Responsible for/oversees project staffing, including, but not limited to; recruitment, hiring, development, retention and succession of project staff; development of plan for project staff reporting; and support for performance and compensation reviews.
• Leads pursuits of mega projects and/or actively involved as part of the pursuit team for super mega projects.
• Partners with Client Service Leaders to develop long term strategies to identify and pursue additional business opportunities with key clients and with pursuit champions on efforts for mega and super mega projects in accordance with HNTB's Sophisticated Sales Approach (SSA).
• Works with the pursuit team and marketing resources to prepare appropriate proposal and presentation materials.
• Leads interview and proposal presentations to the client as well as general presentations within the industry.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field and 12 years of relevant experience including 4 years experience successfully managing and delivering mega and/or super mega projects

What You’ll Bring

• Experience: Progressive experience in transportation or multimodal planning, with a proven track record in a leadership or director-level capacity.
• Georgia Market Expertise: Deep, established relationships and a strong understanding of Georgia’s transportation agencies, local municipalities, and regional funding mechanisms.
• Proven Growth Record: Demonstrated success in client management, winning competitive proposals, and expanding fee volume with new and existing clients.
• Team Leadership: Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and successfully steering complex, politically sensitive planning initiatives.
• Core Skills: Elite communication, negotiation, relationship-building, and long-term strategic thinking capabilities.

What We Prefer

• Master’s degree
• 20 years relevant experience
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Additional Information
• Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

When you join HNTB, you are joining an employee-owned firm founded on the values of integrity, collaboration, personal accountability, respect for others, and the development of all employees. We are committed to the continual improvement of an inclusive workplace. We encourage our employees to bring their whole and authentic selves to work, provide them a meaningful welcoming environment where they are valued, celebrated and respected. Diversity of thought and unique perspectives drives innovation, engagement and retention, which makes HNTB better and brings value to our clients and our communities.

Equal Opportunity Employer HNTB is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other status protected by law. We will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability where appropriate.

Work Authorization In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, we will only employ qualified individuals legally authorized to work in the United States (if the position is or will be one which is subject to U.S. law). Verification of employment eligibility will be required. HNTB participates in E-Verify Know your rights: Right to Work

Locations: Atlanta, GA