Project Director Transit

Mott MacDonald

Seattle (WA)

On-site

USD 217,000 - 265,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Benefits package

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Principal Project Manager - Transit to lead the delivery of complex transportation and transit projects across the Pacific Northwest. You will manage planning through closeout, establish governance, and serve as the primary client contact while leading multidisciplinary teams for safe, high-quality outcomes.

The role emphasizes collaboration with public sector clients, with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk, and offers a hybrid

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
20+ years of progressive experience delivering complex transit, rail, or large infrastructure projects.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and serving as a primary client contact.
Strong knowledge of project controls, governance, risk, change, and contract administration.
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills.
Experience with transit agencies, public sector clients, consultants, and contractors.

Responsibilities

Manage delivery of complex transit and rail projects from initiation through closeout.
Develop PM plans, delivery strategies, WBS, and performance objectives.
Ensure accountability for scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and contractual obligations.
Monitor performance, lead issue resolution, and provide reporting and escalation.
Serve as primary day-to-day contact for transit agency and public sector clients.
Lead and mentor project managers and multidisciplinary delivery teams.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Contract administration

Risk management

Communication

Public sector clients

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Planning/Construction Management/Project Management

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Principal Project Manager - Transit to manage the delivery of complex transportation and transit projects across the Pacific Northwest. This role will lead multidisciplinary teams, coordinate with public sector clients and stakeholders, and maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk.

As a principal-level project leader within our transportation business, you will manage projects from planning through closeout, establish effective delivery and governance practices, and serve as a key client contact. You will work closely with technical, operational, and commercial colleagues to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality outcomes aligned with client objectives.

This position offers the opportunity to lead meaningful transit investments, mentor project professionals, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the continued growth of our transit practice.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Program Leadership

Manage the delivery of complex transit and rail projects from initiation through closeout.
Develop project management plans, delivery strategies, work breakdown structures, and performance objectives.
Maintain accountability for scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, resources, and contractual obligations.
Monitor project performance, lead issue resolution, manage change, and provide clear reporting and escalation.

Client Relationship Management

Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for transit agency and public sector clients.
Build trusted client relationships through responsive communication, dependable delivery, and sound project management judgment.
Work collaboratively with clients to understand business priorities and identify innovative solutions.
Support strategic account planning and business development initiatives.

Commercial & Financial Management

Monitor project financial performance, utilization, forecasting, and profitability.
Ensure effective contract administration and commercial risk management.
Manage scope revisions, contract modifications, and commercial discussions in coordination with project and commercial leaders.
Promote sound project controls and reporting practices across the program.

Team Leadership & Development

Lead and mentor project managers, technical leads, and multidisciplinary delivery teams.
Foster a culture focused on collaboration, inclusion, safety, and professional development.
Support resource planning, recruitment, onboarding, and the development of project management capability.
Encourage knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across project teams.

Business Development & Growth

Support the pursuit and capture of strategic transit opportunities, drawing on project delivery and client insight.
Contribute to proposal development, client presentations, and interview panels.
Collaborate with account and market leaders to strengthen Mott MacDonald's transit pipeline and client relationships.
Identify opportunities to develop new services and strengthen existing client partnerships.

Candidate Specification

Essential Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline.
Minimum 20 years of progressive experience delivering complex transit, rail, transportation, or other major infrastructure projects, including at least 10 years of project management experience on major infrastructure programs or projects.
Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary teams and serving as a primary client contact.
Strong knowledge of project controls, governance, commercial management, risk, change, and contract administration.
Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills.
Experience working with transit agencies, public sector clients, consultants, contractors, and transportation stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in a relevant field.
Professional Engineer (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), or other relevant professional certification.
Experience managing rail, transit, or transportation capital improvement projects through multiple delivery phases.
Experience supporting proposals, interviews, and business development for complex infrastructure opportunities.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary for this position is $217,000 - $265,000

Individual pay is determined based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, and unique skills.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support the health, wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth of our employees. Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA and HSA accounts, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and a competitive 401(k) plan with company matching. We also provide paid time off, paid holidays, caregiver leave, employee referral bonuses, professional registration and membership reimbursements, and tuition assistance to support continued learning and career development.

Collaboration at Our Core

At Mott MacDonald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet clients, team, and personal commitments.

Equal opportunity is the law.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status or disability status.