Regional Transportation Growth Leader

GFT; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

401(k)

PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT seeks a Regional Growth Leader to drive the Transportation Group's growth across the Southeast, delivering integrated transportation solutions through leadership in business development, client engagement, and strategic market expansion. The role requires collaboration with DOTs, municipalities, and private sector clients, with a hybrid work model and regular office presence.

The leader will shape growth strategies, oversee major pursuits, mentor managers, and expand the firm's presence

Qualifications

• 15+ years in transportation/infrastructure/AEC
• Demonstrated success in business development and client relationships
• Experience with DOTs, municipalities, transit authorities
• Proven ability to lead complex pursuits and capture efforts
• Strong understanding of transportation funding, planning, and market trends
• Knowledge of transportation design, planning, and program delivery
• Established network of transportation industry contacts
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship skills
• Ability to influence and collaborate across teams
• CRM proficiency and sales process knowledge

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement transportation growth strategies aligned with business objectives
• Identify emerging transportation markets, funding programs, and opportunities
• Evaluate market trends, competitive activity, and client priorities
• Lead expansion into new clients, markets, and service offerings
• Maintain relationships with transportation agencies and key clients
• Collaborate with teams to strengthen client relationships and repeat business
• Develop strategic account plans for targeted clients
• Act as trusted advisor to strategic transportation clients
• Identify, qualify, and prioritize growth opportunities
• Lead pursuit and capture strategies for major transportation projects
• Participate in Go/No-Go decisions and opportunity evaluations
• Coordinate with marketing, technical, and proposal teams for winning strategies
• Promote capture planning and client engagement throughout lifecycle
• Develop teaming strategies and partnerships for pursuits
• Align growth initiatives with regional business goals
• Mentor project managers in business development and client management
• Represent firm at industry events and professional organizations
• Monitor transportation legislation and funding initiatives
• Build industry partnerships and enhance market visibility

Skills

Client relationship management

Communication

Presentation

Negotiation

CRM proficiency

Sales pipeline management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree preferred

Professional license preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Sales pipeline tools

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Regional Growth Leader to join our Transportation Group in the Southeast! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at one of our Southeast offices.

As a Regional Growth Leader, you will lead the delivery and growth of GFT's transportation business group in the Southeast. This role combines project management, technical leadership, client engagement, and business development, providing the opportunity to shape transportation systems that improve safety, mobility, and reliability across the region.

Basic Function And Scope Of Responsibilities

The Regional Transportation Growth Leader is responsible for driving business growth, client development, strategic sales, and market expansion across an assigned region of the Transportation Business Group. This role partners closely with Transportation Operations Leaders, Client Service Leaders, Project Managers, and Marketing professionals to identify and capture growth opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and achieve annual sales, revenue, and backlog objectives.

As a senior market-facing leader, the Transportation Growth Leader represents the firm with transportation clients, industry organizations, teaming partners, and key stakeholders. The position is responsible for developing and executing regional growth strategies, leading strategic pursuits, supporting capture planning, and expanding the firm's presence across state DOTs, local agencies, transit authorities, airports, and private‑sector transportation clients. Through a collaborative and client-focused approach, the Transportation Growth Leader fosters long‑term client partnerships, strengthens market position, and advances the firm's strategic growth objectives.

Principal Responsibilities And Essential Functions

• Develop and implement transportation growth strategies aligned with the firm's business objectives.
• Identify emerging transportation markets, funding programs, and investment opportunities.
• Evaluate market trends, competitive activity, and client priorities to support strategic decision-making.
• Support expansion into new transportation clients, geographic markets, and service offerings.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with transportation agencies, municipalities, transit agencies, airport authorities, and other key clients.
• Collaborate with Client Service Leaders and project teams to strengthen client relationships and increase repeat business.
• Develop and execute strategic account plans for targeted transportation clients.
• Act as a trusted advisor and key point of contact for strategic transportation clients.
• Identify, qualify, and prioritize transportation opportunities to support growth objectives.
• Lead or support pursuit and capture strategies for major transportation projects.
• Participate in opportunity evaluations and Go/No-Go decisions.
• Coordinate with technical, marketing, and proposal teams to develop winning pursuit strategies.
• Promote effective capture planning and client engagement throughout the business development lifecycle.
• Support the development of teaming strategies and partnerships for strategic pursuits.
• Partner with Transportation Operations Leaders to align growth initiatives with business goals.
• Foster collaboration across business units, regions, and technical disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor project managers and emerging client managers in business development and client relationship management.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and client service excellence.
• Represent the firm at transportation industry conferences, professional organizations, and networking events.
• Maintain awareness of transportation legislation, funding initiatives, policy changes, and infrastructure investment programs.
• Develop relationships with industry partners, contractors, consultants, and professional associations.
• Enhance the firm's visibility and reputation within the transportation market.

METRICS

• Achievement of annual transportation sales objectives.
• Transportation revenue growth.
• Transportation backlog growth.
• Win rate on targeted and strategic pursuits.
• Growth of key client accounts.
• Number and value of new client opportunities secured.
• Client retention and satisfaction metrics.
• Participation and leadership in industry organizations and strategic market initiatives.

Education | Experience:

Education And Licensing Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Planning, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Professional license preferred.

Training, Skills, Knowledge And/Or Experience

• 15 + years of experience within the transportation, infrastructure, or AEC industry.
• Demonstrated success in business development, client relationship management, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Experience working with Departments of Transportation (DOTs), municipalities, transit agencies, airport authorities, and other transportation clients.
• Proven ability to lead complex pursuits and capture efforts for transportation projects.
• Strong understanding of transportation funding programs, infrastructure planning, and market trends.
• Knowledge of transportation design, engineering, planning, and program delivery services.
• Established network of transportation industry contacts, clients, and teaming partners.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams and organizational levels.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, sales pipeline management, and business development processes.
• Active participation in professional organizations such as ACEC, ASHE, WTS, APWA, APTA, or similar industry associations preferred.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $200,000 - $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™

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:

Southeast Region

Core Business Hours:

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status:

Full-Time