South Carolina Transportation Market Lead

Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Annual bonus

Overtime for salaried employees

Job summary

Freese and Nichols, Inc. seeks a South Carolina Transportation Market Lead to build, lead, and grow the firm’s transportation platform across the state from Columbia or Charleston offices.

You will shape market strategy, lead pursuits, strengthen relationships with SCDOT and local agencies, and build a high-performing team as part of a long-term investment in the Carolinas. You will provide executive oversight on major transportation projects, represent the firm at industry conferences, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• PE license required.
• 8+ years of progressive transportation engineering experience.
• Experience with state DOTs and public-sector agencies.
• Leadership experience in growing a transportation practice is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow Freese and Nichols’ transportation presence in South Carolina, focusing on Columbia and statewide relationships.
• Serve as a trusted partner to SCDOT and local agencies, monitoring funding programs and upcoming opportunities.
• Partner with senior leadership on pursuits, positioning, and long-range market strategy.
• Build, mentor, and develop a transportation team including project managers and technical staff.
• Provide executive-level oversight on key projects to ensure quality and client satisfaction.
• Represent the firm at industry conferences, agency meetings, and professional organizations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Freese and Nichols is looking for a South Carolina Transportation Market Lead in the Columbia or Charleston, South Carolina offices. As South Carolina Transportation Market Lead, you will build, lead, and grow Freese and Nichols’ transportation platform across the state. You will serve as the firm’s senior transportation leader in South Carolina—shaping market strategy, leading pursuits, strengthening relationships with SCDOT and local agencies, and building a high-performing team as part of a long-term investment in the Carolinas.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and grow Freese and Nichols’ transportation presence in South Carolina, with a primary focus on Columbia and statewide agency relationships
• Serve as a trusted partner to SCDOT and local agencies, maintaining a strong pulse on funding programs, priorities, and upcoming opportunities
• Partner with senior leadership on transportation pursuits, positioning, and long-range market strategy
• Build, mentor, and develop a transportation team, including project managers and technical staff
• Provide executive-level oversight on key transportation projects to ensure quality, performance, and client satisfaction
• Represent Freese and Nichols at industry conferences, agency meetings, and professional organizations

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering discipline
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• 8+ years of progressive transportation engineering experience
• Experience working with state DOTs and public-sector transportation agencies
• Preferred: Established relationships within the South Carolina transportation market
• Experience leading or growing a transportation practice or market sector
• Prior involvement in major transportation pursuits or programs

About Freese and Nichols

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values. We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service. For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

• Besides our comprehensive benefits package (see more at Benefits That Work for You), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico and Banner Elk, North Carolina.
• We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work, and an alternative work schedule program which provides a day off every other Friday.
• Join our team of 1,300+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado.
• Learn more about working here at Working at Freese and Nichols.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

#LI-Hybrid Freese and Nichols is a professional planning, consulting and engineering firm serving clients across the United States. With client service and continuous improvement in mind, we plan, design and manage sustainable water and infrastructure projects.