Transportation Market Leader

Southern Search; Tennessee; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

401(k) with employer match

Medical, dental and vision insurance

HSA options

Employer-paid life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition and certification reimburse

Job summary

Southern Search is seeking a proven transportation leader to head the Tennessee transportation practice. You will set strategy, win work, and lead delivery across complex roadway and multimodal projects.

You will cultivate TDOT and municipal relationships, mentor engineers, and hire for growth while partnering with a large, established firm that values people-first collaboration and community impact.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in transportation engineering with leadership experience.
• Strong track record growing client relationships and regional market share.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with TDOT standards and funding programs.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for the Tennessee transportation practice and win work.
• Own project delivery, including scope, budget, schedule, and quality.
• Lead client engagement with TDOT and local municipalities.
• Mentor staff and shape staffing plans for growth.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationship management

Transportation project delivery

TDOT knowledge

Mentoring

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) in Tennessee

Tools

MicroStation

OpenRoads Designer

Job description

Civil / Transportation Engineering

Ready to be the name people think of when they think transportation in Tennessee?

Southern Search is running a confidential search on behalf of a multidisciplinary engineering firm with almost 1000 employees across multiple states. They're investing in Tennessee and need a proven transportation leader to build and grow the practice, own the TDOT and municipal relationships, and grow a team that's already on the rise.

The Opportunity

This isn't a seat-filler role. You'll set the direction for the Tennessee transportation practice: winning the work, leading the delivery, and hiring the people who carry it forward. It's a true market leader seat with the backing of a large, established firm and the room to build something with your name on it. The culture is people-first and collaborative, with a mission centered on strengthening communities, not just billing hours.

What You'll Do

• Serve as principal-in-charge on complex roadway, corridor and multimodal projects
• Own project delivery: design quality, budget, schedule and technical excellence
• Lead client engagement with TDOT and local municipalities, and drive pursuit strategy and proposals
• Be a visible leader in the regional transportation market through industry events and relationships
• Mentor and develop engineering staff, and shape staffing plans as the practice grows
• Work alongside multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions

What You'll Bring

• BS in Civil Engineering or related field
• PE in Tennessee, or the ability to obtain within 6 months
• 15+ years in transportation engineering, including 5+ years in leadership
• Deep working knowledge of TDOT standards, funding programs and project delivery
• A track record of growing client relationships and regional market share
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams on transportation infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer and other transportation design tools

I Would Like To See:

• Existing relationships with TDOT regions and Tennessee municipalities
• Experience standing up or scaling a new office or practice

Competitive compensation plus company profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, medical, dental and vision, HSA options, 100% employer-paid life insurance, short and long-term disability, tuition and certification reimbursement, paid professional association memberships, and volunteer service leave.