Transportation Planning Section Manager

HDR; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Transportation Planning Section Manager in Oakland, CA. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, manage staff development, and guide major transportation planning projects from proposal through delivery.

The role requires a strong background in transportation planning, leadership, and client engagement. HDR offers an employee-owned culture with a focus on innovative, sustainable mobility solutions and community impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; 10+ years in transportation planning.
• Master’s degree preferred in planning/engineering.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; leadership ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage staff, training, and major transportation planning projects.
• Oversee operations of NorCal Transportation Planning Section, staffing and quality control.
• Coordinate services with other sections and engage in marketing and proposals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Analytical skills

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master’s degree in Planning or Engineering

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

In the role of Transportation Planning Section Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Serve a key member of the Transportation Planning Business Class and be responsible for the management of staff, training, business development, pursuit, and management of major transportation planning projects.
• Take responsibility for operations of NorCal Transportation Planning Section including staff development, utilization, workload management, project staffing, recruiting, morale, quality control and marketing support.
• Take responsibility for the management, development, coordination, monitoring, and improvement of section staff and products to meet client needs and market drivers.
• Take administrative responsibility for NorCal Transportation Planning Section staff and technical service functions and lead and coordinate services with other sections.
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews.
• See that all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management system.
• Function as Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to project management responsibilities.
• Manage and develop multidiscipline teams.
• Be directly involved with private and public clients in marketing, project production and related issues.
• Implement, monitor and support company policy.
• Work cooperatively with National Directors and marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts.
• Engage in high profile project pursuits involving extensive client interactions in coordination with Area Business Development Leader.
• Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of large multi-disciplinary transportation planning projects including but not limited to local and regional multi-modal transportation plans, travel demand and ridership forecasting, multi-modal modeling and simulation, zero-emissions mobility planning, transportation policy analysis. and impact studies, traffic operational studies, regulatory reviews, private development, bus and rail transit studies, and environmental documents.
• Lead scope development and execution in conjunction with appropriate technical professionals in multiple transportation and environmental disciplines.
• Actively drive open communication of current/projected production needs and collaborate with management to influence staffing and expertise levels.
• Participate in and provide input to the Annual Budgeting and Strategic Planning process in collaboration with Area, Regional, National, and Global leadership.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Planning, Engineering, or related discipline required.
• Professional registration such as AICP, PE, PTOE, PTP, PMP preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience with transportation planning projects and programs required.
• Must have well-developed analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $152,775.00 - $235,710.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location: United States-California-Oakland

Other Locations: United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Santa Clara

Industry: Highway + Road

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Transportation Planning

Job Posting: Sep 17, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an AFFIRMATIVE Action and Equal Opportunity Employer https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.