Transportation Engineering Department Director

TERRA Engineering, Ltd.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation packages

Comprehensive healthcare benefits

Retirement plan options

Hybrid/flexible work arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

TERRA Engineering, Ltd. is seeking a leader for its Transportation department in St. Louis, Missouri. The candidate will be responsible for overseeing departmental growth, ensuring client satisfaction, and directing strategic initiatives. Required qualifications include a B.S. in civil engineering or related field, 15+ years in engineering, and 10+ years in management. The position offers a hybrid work model and substantial growth opportunities within a supportive culture.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of applicable engineering experience.
• 10+ years in a leadership/management role.
• Strong understanding of industry and construction practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee department growth and performance.
• Lead business development initiatives.
• Ensure staff training and compliance with policies.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Business development

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

B.S. in civil engineering or related field

Professional Engineer licensure

PMP certification

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

MicroStation

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management software

Job description

Summary/Objective

Responsible for overall department growth and performance. Ensures the Transportation department maintains coordination with other departments and alignment with company protocols and procedures. Accountable for client satisfaction, financial forecasting and performance, and quality control/quality assurance. Conducts strategic marketing and business development activities for the department and contributes to firm‑wide strategic planning. Directs staff planning, recruiting efforts, staff performance and development, and conflict resolution processes.

Essential Functions

• Oversee the department’s proposal development and interview process for a range of project sizes and types.
• Lead and direct the department’s business development and other strategic growth initiatives; actively participate in industry, networking, and professional organization events and activities.
• Review and execute project agreements.
• Ensure projects and teams are equipped with appropriate resources necessary to meet contractual obligations.
• Ensure that the process for initiating projects with the accounting department adheres to established guidelines and standards.
• Monitor the management and engineering of projects to ensure the highest quality of documentation and professionalism, focusing on client communication and satisfaction; proactively address deficiencies.
• Ensure that all department personnel are properly trained and supervised.
• Provide leadership and direction to the department on client and stakeholder presentations with an emphasis on client advocacy, balancing client expectations with contractual obligations, project goals, and satisfaction.
• Ensure projects meet quality control/quality assurance requirements.
• Monitor project financial performance and proactively coordinate with managers to ensure achievement of goals and address areas of concern.
• Oversee monthly invoicing of projects and track accounts receivable; ensure the department responds to all requests and directions.
• Provide leadership and direction to the department on strategizing successful project delivery, financial performance, and risk mitigation.
• Guide and support the department in resolving issues, disputes, and disagreements affecting projects or internal collaboration.
• Ensure staff complete internal and external close‑out processes.
• Maintain highly effective working relationships with team members and clients.
• Oversee staff performance, development, and conflicts; proactively consult with HR on complex situations.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with all TERRA standards, guidelines, and policies.
• Develop operating policies and procedures unique to the department to ensure activities are completed within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Oversee staff and resource planning, recruiting efforts, candidate selection, and onboarding.
• Create and advance the growth strategy of the department, defining goals and objectives.
• Ensure consistent thinking within the department and alignment with company values and procedures.
• Monitor and address noncompliance issues related to administrative policies and procedures such as timesheet recording, expense reports, purchase orders, and client coordination.
• Coordinate with other Discipline Department Directors to ensure disciplines are coordinated.
• Perform other duties as required.

Education/Experience

• B.S. in civil engineering or related field strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of applicable engineering experience.
• 10+ years in a leadership/management role.
• Professional Engineer licensure preferred.
• Additional credentials preferred (e.g., CFM, CPESC, ENV SP, LEED AP, etc.).
• PMP certification a plus.
• Valid driver’s license required for field work.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Highly skilled in leading and guiding teams across multiple disciplines to achieve department and firm goals.
• Expert in motivating and influencing teams to produce excellent results.
• Adept at developing and maintaining strong, dependable client relationships.
• Strong ability to conduct business development and project pursuit activities.
• Highly proficient in verbal and written communication.
• Working proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, and other Windows‑based engineering software.
• Highly proficient in general documentation software such as Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Bluebeam.
• Advanced knowledge of project management software and tools for financial management, reporting, and resource utilization.
• Strong understanding of business and operations analytics and reporting.
• Accomplished public speaker, presenter, and leader.
• Strong understanding of industry and construction practices, methodologies, and best engineering practices, leveraging that understanding to lead the department.
• Excellent understanding of how individuals are motivated and can effectively adjust management and leadership style to develop and maintain a highly effective, functioning department.
• Able to conduct site visits as needed; may require a valid driver’s license.
• Effectively maintains office and field health & safety requirements and protocols.
• Maintains a work schedule conducive to team collaboration and project‑specific requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Involves sitting a considerable amount of time, but requires the ability to inspect work and supervise project teams on a construction site or other field location.
• May exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force to move objects.
• Occasionally lifts and carries up to 30 pounds.
• Considerable time may be spent at a workstation using a computer and communicating via telephone, email, messaging, etc.
• Field work includes exposure to outside weather conditions and various environmental conditions depending on the site.
• Physical activities include walking and occasional stooping and crouching.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties and/or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.

Please note that sponsorship is not available now or in the future for this position.

TERRA Provides

• Competitive compensation packages including bonus program, paid holidays and paid time off.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• Retirement plan options with safe harbor match and profit sharing.
• Hybrid/flexible work arrangements for most positions.
• A warm culture that is conducive to growth and professional development.
• And more!

In accordance with local law, the estimated salary range is applicable to the position and location associated with this posting. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.

The employment policy of TERRA Engineering, Ltd. is to provide equal opportunity to all persons. Our company therefore has made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes.

TERRA Engineering, Ltd. will recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military and/or veteran status, or disability in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which require affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. TERRA Engineering, Ltd. does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status as provided under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.