Senior Project Manager & Account Manager

Stantec; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 203,000 - 315,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Stantec’s Transportation practice in California seeks a Senior Project Manager with Account Management responsibilities to support California public transit and transportation agencies. You will manage the delivery of highway and bridge projects while strengthening client relationships and pursuing growth opportunities in California’s highways and bridges market.

You will collaborate with project teams, business development leaders, and technical specialists across Stantec to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Transportation Engineering.
• 20+ years of progressive experience in transportation project delivery.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California is preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead the account management efforts for California self‑help county transportation agency accounts.
• Develop and execute account plans including client engagement strategies and relationship management.
• Manage highway and bridge transportation projects, coordinating with client and subconsultants.
• Prepare and deliver technical documents, cost estimates, and construction support deliverables.
• Coach project teams and support business development and pursuit activities.

Skills

Project management

Account management

Client relationship management

Public transportation

Education

Civil Engineering degree

PE license

Job description

A career in transportation is more than bridges, roads, and rail. As we plan, design, and manage projects that move people and goods from Point A to Point B, we create connections that transform our communities. Every airport, road, bridge, port, or transit project is an opportunity to make communities safer, cleaner, and more resilient. Together, we’re making an impact around the world.

If you’re looking for a career that moves, join our team of professionals who are passionate about the future of transportation.

Stantec’s Transportation practice in California is seeking a Senior Project Manager with Account Management responsibilities to support California public transit and transportation agencies. Assignments are complex in nature and require the application of broad knowledge with a high degree of initiative and independence.

Your Opportunity

This role blends project management leadership with account management support for major public transportation agencies and regional transportation authorities in California. You will manage the delivery of highway and bridge transportation projects while helping strengthen client relationships, support account planning, and position Stantec for continued growth in the California highways and bridges market.

You will work closely with project teams, other account managers, business development leaders, and technical specialists across Stantec’s Transportation practice to deliver high-quality work, ensure client satisfaction, and support strategic growth. This will require you to exercise independent judgement and decision‑making to determine work methods and procedures on highly specialized assignments and projects.

Your Key Responsibilities

Client & Account Management

• Lead the account management efforts for various California self‑help county transportation agency accounts.
• Contribute to the development and execution of account plans, including client engagement strategies, pursuit planning, and relationship management.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with client project managers, technical staff, and leadership within California transportation agencies.
• Participate in regular account team meetings and coordination efforts to align project delivery and growth strategies.
• Support proposal and pursuit activities, including scope development, fee estimates, schedules, and client interviews.
• Identify opportunities for cross‑discipline collaboration within the Transportation practice and other business lines (Environmental Sciences, Buildings, Water, Energy) to better serve highway and bridge clients.
• Act as contract manager, to win new on‑call contracts and competitive pursuits, and also support active and future opportunities within existing on‑call contracts.
• Maintain awareness of client priorities, capital programs, and procurement approaches relevant to California transportation agencies.

Project Management & Delivery

• Perform project management duties on highway and bridge transportation projects, including client and subconsultant coordination, schedule and budget management, and quality control.
• Serve as the primary client contact on assigned projects, ensuring client needs are met in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Lead and be responsible for the preparation and delivery of technical documents, including engineering drawings, reports, cost estimates, specifications, and construction support deliverables.
• Maintain project budgets, establish cost controls, manage project schedules, and support monthly billing and forecasting.
• Organize, coordinate, and supervise the work of multidisciplinary technical teams, guiding projects to successful completion.
• Ensure projects meet applicable agency standards and requirements and adhere to Stantec’s QA/QC and Project Management frameworks.
• Coordinate with internal peer reviewers and discipline leads to ensure technical excellence and consistency.
• Liaise with public agencies, stakeholders, and partners to support project approvals, permits, and successful delivery.

Leadership, Collaboration & People Development

• Establish, nurture, and support collaborative project delivery processes across disciplines.
• Coach and mentor project team members to support professional development and high-quality delivery.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Actively be an ambassador for Stantec, working to recruit top market talents into the infrastructure practice.
• Work in a manner that protects the health and safety of Stantec employees, clients, and the public by following company HSSE policies.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Demonstrated experience managing transportation projects (highways and bridges) for public agencies.
• Strong understanding of project management fundamentals, including scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality management.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive client relationships. An established network of client relationships with Caltrans and other regional transportation agencies is a requirement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present to clients and stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Experience supporting business development and pursuit activities is preferred.
• Knowledge of California public agency procurement and delivery processes is an asset.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a related field. Advanced degrees in those fields are preferred.
• Minimum of 20 years of progressive experience in transportation project delivery.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California, or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe, is preferred but not mandatory.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Why Choose Stantec?

• Career development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and grow your career.
• Ability to work alongside others who share your passion to support communities through exciting and unique projects.
• Ability to join Stantec committees, employee resource groups, participate in community volunteering, and join various company or local groups/initiatives.
• We put people first and want to help you make that appointment or event that you need to attend. At Stantec, we have a hybrid, flexible work schedule that meets both business and individual needs.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.

Pay Range

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas-$177,500.00 - $275,200.00 Annually
• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA areas-$190,500.00 - $295,200.00 Annually
• Locations in NYC & CA (Bay Area) & NJ (RP)-$203,400.00 - $315,300.00 Annually

Primary Location: United States | CA | Irvine

Other Locations: United States | CA | Santa Barbara

Organization: BC-2073 Transpt-US Pacific

Employee Status: Regular

Business Justification: New Position

Travel: Yes

Schedule: Full time

Job Posting: 16/04/2026 06:04:04

Req ID: 1005411

#additional

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.