Senior Planner

Cambridge Systematics, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Systematics, Inc. is a leading transportation consultancy seeking a Senior Planner to guide freight and goods movement planning across statewide and regional studies, safety analyses, and economic/performance evaluations.

You will collaborate with state agencies, cities, MPOs, ports, and railroads to deliver actionable insights and strong client relationships. The role emphasizes mentorship of junior staff, proposal development, and proactive business development to expand CS's book of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, Transportation Economics or related field.
• 8+ years of industry-related experience.
• 3+ years of experience managing projects and leading proposals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong and effective communication, presentation, and technical writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Delivers all projects on-time, on-budget, and to client or project manager’s satisfaction.
• Mentors junior staff and provides feedback to project team members.
• Develops and implements a project delivery plan for each project.
• Plans, produces and delivers high-quality work.

Skills

Project management

Technical writing

Communication

Proficiency in Excel/Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Planning/Civil Engineering/Public Policy/Transportation Economics

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cambridge Systematics, Inc. (CS) is shaping the future of transportation. We are industry leaders, transportation specialists dedicated to ensuring that transportation investments can deliver the best possible results. By providing innovative policy and planning solutions, objective analyses and technology applications, we help our clients anticipate and meet future transportation needs while improving the performance of existing infrastructure and operations. Above all, we are committed to our clients’ success in making transportation better for future generations.

The Freight and Economics team provides industry-leading services in data-driven planning to transportation agencies, states, cities, MPOs, ports, and railroads across the US. We apply our national knowledge and leadership while leveraging the strength of regional expertise to bring experience from across the country to provide an intimate understanding of our clients’ needs. We work with clients large and small, providing right-size solutions to the complex problems facing the industry: changing economies and climates, uncertain funding, interagency coordination, historic inequity, supply chain and infrastructure resiliency, maintaining an effective workforce, and ensuring the safety and sustainability of goods movement.

The Senior Planner provides leadership and support in all areas of freight and goods movement planning, including statewide and regional planning studies, multimodal and shared-use corridor studies, multimodal safety studies, financial and economic analysis, benefit-cost analysis and grant development, transportation policy analysis, asset management and environmental analysis, freight modeling and analytics, truck parking studies, resilience studies, transportation equity analyses, and transportation project implementation. They have strong relationships and qualifications with state agencies, cities, MPOs, ports, railroads, and private sector operators across the United States. They will preferably have experience and relationships with clients and teaming partners in Southern California, including but not limited to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and LA Metro.

The Senior Planner collaborates with other technical leaders and project managers across business units to develop integrated technical approaches and serve as a company-wide resource in their areas of expertise. They train, manage and mentor junior staff and motivate staff and subconsultants to deliver work products on time and within budget. The Senior Planner develops collaborative relationships with current and prospective clients and teaming partners, proactively identifies future leads, leads teaming negotiations with other consulting firms, and develops winning proposals that contribute to the firm’s book of work and industry reputation.

Project Management

• Delivers all projects on-time, on-budget, and to the client or project manager’s satisfaction
• Provides constructive and ongoing feedback to project team members, and mentors junior staff in developing their project delivery skills
• Provides clear direction to all project staff regarding project objectives and their role in achieving them

Project Delivery

• Develops and implements project delivery plan for each project
• Plans, produces and delivers exceptional quality work that is thorough, polished, and reflects well on CS
• Provides exceptional value-added service to project managers and/or clients and communicates consistently with internal and external team members
• Actively listens and seeks to understand client or project manager needs

Business Development

• Participates in regional, business unit, practice area, and other business development initiative meetings to identify and coordinate BD and marketing activities
• Contributes to sound bid/no-bid decisions
• Develops effective win themes, teaming strategies, pricing strategies, and technical content for all proposals in area of responsibility
• Builds and maintains long‑term client relationships and actively listens to their needs
• Builds strong positive relationships with management and senior consultants, and marketing & communications staff to develop winning proposals

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, Transportation Economics, or related field
• 8+ years of industry-related experience
• 3+ years of experience managing projects and leading proposals
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Strong and effective communication, presentation, and technical writing skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, Transportation Economics or related field
• Freight and/or economics experience/educational background
• Grant writing knowledge and/or experience
• Experience working with transportation or economic data sets
• Located in (or willing to relocate to) Southern California
• 3+ years of experience in public sector consulting and professional services
• Experience leading transportation plans or studies, as a consultant or public agency manager, in California
• A strong professional network within the Southern California transportation industry

Cambridge Systematics is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a culture in which every voice is valued, where employees have a sense of belonging and connection with one another and to the organization, and they feel empowered to do their best work. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture within the firm and we encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to our open positions.

EOE AA M/F/VET/DISABILITY

Salary: $155k-$175k