Senior Planner

Cambridge Systematics; United States; On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transportation consulting firm is seeking a Senior Project Manager to oversee transit planning projects across the United States. This role involves mentoring junior staff, managing project delivery, and developing strong client relationships. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Planning or a related area, at least 8 years of relevant experience, and strong communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $155k to $175k.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, or a related area.
• 8+ years of industry-related experience.
• 3+ years of experience managing projects.
• Strong communication, presentation, and technical writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Delivers all projects on-time and on-budget.
• Mentors junior staff in project delivery skills.
• Develops and implements project delivery plans.
• Participates in business development initiative meetings.

Job description

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 Transit and Shared Mobility group provides industry-leading data-driven planning services to transit agencies, cities, and MPOs across the US. We apply our national knowledge and leadership while leveraging regional expertise to bring experience from across the country and provide an intimate understanding of our clients’ needs. We work with clients large and small, providing right‑sized solutions to the industry's complex problems: declining ridership, uncertain funding, interagency coordination, historic inequity, maintaining an effective workforce, and delivering safe, sustainable services to the public.

The Senior Project Manager provides leadership and support in all areas of transit planning, including policy, service planning, operations, capital planning, data analysis, finance, funding, and public engagement. They have strong relationships and qualifications with transit agencies, cities, MPOs, and statewide agencies across the United States. The Senior Project Manager 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 Project Manager develops collaborative relationships with current and prospective clients, proactively identifies future leads, and leads teaming negotiations with other consulting firms as part of proactive and reactive marketing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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
• Develops and implements project delivery plan for each project

Project Delivery

• 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, or a related area
• 8+ years of industry‑related experience
• 3+ years of experience managing projects
• Experience leading corridor studies, network redesigns, market analyses, fare studies, long‑range transportation plans, and related transit plans
• Strong and effective communication, presentation, and technical writing skills
• A strong professional network in the transportation industry
• Located in a major metropolitan transit market

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, or a related area
• 5+ years of experience in public sector consulting and professional services

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