Transit Planning & Design Program Lead – Hybrid (Chicago)

GFT; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 240,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT, an established AEC firm in Chicago, is seeking a Transit Planning and Design Program Manager to lead a multi-billion-dollar capital program in the transit sector. You will oversee planning and design efforts, manage a team of 15–18 specialists, and coordinate with client senior management to advance stations, track, and systems.

This role requires strong communication, budgeting, and procurement oversight, with a focus on accessibility and state-of-good repair.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Architecture, Planning, Business or a related field.
• A minimum of 18 years of experience managing delivery of projects in the transit industry.
• Knowledge of typical infrastructure project lifecycles for traditional and alternative project delivery methods.
• Excellent interpersonal, time management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to independently assess workload requirements and prioritize needs based on funding deadlines or other client considerations.
• Ability to lead meetings and groups to develop consensus on program or project goals, objectives, and scope.
• Excellent working knowledge of computer software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam.

Responsibilities

• Lead client communication for all projects in planning and design phases.
• Manage a team of 15 - 18 specialists in architecture, systems, track, planning, estimating, and program management to prioritize workload for efficiency, responsiveness, and quality.
• Lead coordination with other program management teams and client departments to enhance overall program and project delivery.
• Identify issues with project delivery, lead investigations, and present findings / recommendations on improvements to delivery.
• Assist the client in identifying potential capital projects based on overall agency priorities and need.
• Provide guidance on project planning and delivery given funding source, NEPA, or other constraints.
• Develop major program initiatives for accessibility, state-of-good repair, or other client priorities, including management of federal transit master plan documents.
• Work closely with the client to prioritize, drive, and accurately report upon the progress of capital projects.
• Identify and recommend solutions to maintain design schedules and budget based on overall program metrics.
• Review design task orders and contracts for consistency and improvements, including incorporation of lessons learned.
• Across the team, ensure consistency and monitor adherence to the client ISO 9001 quality procedures, guidelines, and work instructions.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Transit planning

Budgeting

Procurement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Architecture, Planning, Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Bluebeam

Job description

GFT, an established AEC firm in Chicago, is seeking a Transit Planning and Design Program Manager to lead a multi-billion-dollar capital program in the transit sector. You will oversee planning and design efforts, manage a team of 15–18 specialists, and coordinate with client senior management to advance stations, track, and systems.

This role requires strong communication, budgeting, and procurement oversight, with a focus on accessibility and state-of-good repair.