Senior Project Manager-Highways Roads

GHD; Redding (CA); Hybrid; USD 131,505 - 219,175; Full time

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Senior Project Manager - Highways Roads to lead planning, design, and delivery of major transportation projects across California and the US West. The role includes business development, client engagement, and strategic growth with a hybrid work model (office three days a week).

You will supervise multi‑office teams, ensure quality with Caltrans/AASHTO standards, and drive profitability while managing risk and schedules for complex highway and bridge programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering; master’s degree preferred.
• Registered Civil Engineer in CA is required.
• 12+ years of transportation project management experience.
• Experience with Caltrans, local agencies, and federally funded programs.
• Advanced proficiency with project management software and tools.

Responsibilities

• Direct the planning, design, and delivery of highways, interchanges, local roads, roundabouts, trails, and bridges.
• Lead business development and pursue new opportunities with public and private clients; develop winning proposals and interviews.
• Manage client relationships and coordinate with agencies and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Mentor multidisciplinary project teams and foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee budgets, schedules, and risk management per Caltrans standards and project controls.
• Provide senior technical oversight and ensure quality with Caltrans/AASHTO standards.
• Champion adoption of emerging technologies and digital delivery tools.
• Support regional business planning and growth strategies for the transportation group.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Caltrans/AASHTO standards knowledge

PS&E package development

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Registered Civil Engineer in California

Tools

MS Project

Earned-Value Management

Job description

Shape the Future of Transportation with Us

Join a dynamic team of transportation professionals dedicated to delivering innovative, sustainable, and community-focused infrastructure solutions. As a Senior Project Manager, you will drive the success of complex highway, roadway, and active transportation projects, while playing a pivotal role in business development, client engagement, and strategic growth in the US West.

Who are we looking for?

GHD’s US West Region seeks a visionary and accomplished Senior Project Manager - Highways Roads to support and grow our Highways, Roads, Bridges practice throughout California, Arizona and the US West. We are seeking a dynamic leader with a proven track record in project delivery, business development, and client relationship management.

Location

Position based in any of our California offices (Irvine, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Concord, Santa Rosa, Roseville, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, Redding, or Eureka) or Phoenix, Arizona, with opportunities for hybrid and flexible work arrangements.

Our Hybrid Work Model

Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Leadership & Delivery: Direct the planning, design, and execution of transportation projects, including highways, interchanges, local roads, roundabouts, trails, and bridges, ensuring delivery excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction.
• Business Development & Market Growth: Proactively identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities with public and private sector clients. Lead the development of winning proposals, presentations, and interviews. Build and maintain a robust pipeline of work through strategic networking and market intelligence.
• Client Relationship Management: Serve as a trusted advisor to key clients, agencies, and stakeholders. Develop long‑term partnerships and ensure exceptional client service throughout the project lifecycle.
• Team Management & Development: Lead, mentor, and inspire multidisciplinary project teams. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Support staff development through coaching, training, and succession planning.
• Financial and Risk Management: Oversee project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation. Drive project profitability and manage financial performance, including forecasting, earned value tracking, and variance analysis. Proactively identify and mitigate project risks.
• Technical Excellence & Quality Assurance: Provide senior technical oversight and ensure quality compliance with Caltrans, AASHTO, and local agency standards. Champion quality assurance and control throughout all project phases.
• Innovation & Best Practices: Lead the adoption of emerging technologies, digital delivery tools, and industry best practices to enhance project outcomes and client value.
• Change & Risk Management: Implement structured change management and risk mitigation strategies to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Strategic Leadership: Contribute to regional business planning, market analysis, and the development of long‑term growth strategies for the transportation group.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field, master’s degree preferred

Experience

• 12+ years of experience in transportation project management, with a strong background in planning, design and delivery of highway, roadway, and active transportation projects.
• Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California (Required).
• Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and securing major project wins.
• Extensive experience managing projects for Caltrans, local agencies, and federally funded programs.
• Advanced proficiency with project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, Earned-Value Management).
• Deep knowledge of Caltrans and AASHTO standards, and expertise in PS&E package development.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Experience with alternative delivery methods (e.g., Design‑Build, CMGC) is highly desirable.
• Construction phase and program management experience is desirable.
• Experience managing multi‑office or multi‑disciplinary teams is preferred.
• Experience working in a consulting environment and managing multiple concurrent projects is preferred.

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal‑opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex (including same sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, disability or handicap, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Salary Range: $131,505-$219,175 based on experience.