REGIONAL DIRECTOR – TRANSPORT NETWORK PLANNING

MVA International Headhunters; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 210,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global advisory firm is seeking a Regional Director – Transport Network Planning in Chicago. This senior, market-facing leadership role involves building and leading a regional transport planning business while engaging with transit agencies and state authorities. Candidates should have proven experience in transport network planning and a strong understanding of urban transit systems. The firm offers a unique opportunity to shape a high-growth market and influence major infrastructure programmes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in transport / transit network planning.
• Strong understanding of urban rail / transit systems and operations.
• Experience operating at Director / VP level within a leading consultancy.
• Track record in winning and delivering advisory / planning work.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to originate and grow a market.
• Experience operating at Director / VP level within a leading consultancy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the growth of transport & transit planning services across the Midwest.
• Act as a trusted advisor to transit agencies and public sector clients.
• Drive business development, client engagement, and market positioning.
• Shape and deliver network planning, operational strategy, and advisory mandates.
• Navigate federal and state funding mechanisms (FTA, grants, etc.).
• Work across disciplines to translate planning into deliverable programmes.
• Build and lead a high-performing regional team over time.

Skills

Transport / transit network planning

Urban rail / transit systems operations

Commercial mindset

Business development

Job description

🌟 The Opportunity

We are supporting a leading global infrastructure advisory and engineering firm as they expand their Transport & Transit capability across the United States.

With a strong technical platform already in place, the business is now investing in front-end transport planning, advisory, and market leadership — starting in Chicago and the wider Midwest.

This is a senior, market-facing leadership role with a mandate to build, lead, and grow a regional transport planning business.

🎯 The Role

As Regional Director – Transport Network Planning, you will:

• Lead the growth of transport & transit planning services across the Midwest
• Act as a trusted advisor to transit agencies, state authorities, and public sector clients
• Drive business development, client engagement, and market positioning
• Shape and deliver network planning, operational strategy, and advisory mandates
• Navigate federal and state funding mechanisms (FTA, grants, etc.)
• Work across disciplines to translate planning into deliverable programmes
• Build and lead a high-performing regional team over time

🧠 What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in transport / transit network planning
• Strong understanding of urban rail / transit systems and operations
• Established relationships with:
• State / city agencies
• Track record in winning and delivering advisory / planning work
• Commercial mindset with the ability to originate and grow a market
• Experience operating at Director / VP level within a leading consultancy

🌆 Why This Role?

• Opportunity to lead and shape a regional business in a high-growth market
• Backed by a globally recognised platform with strong technical delivery capability
• Direct influence on major transit and infrastructure programmes
• Clear pathway to build a team and scale a practice