Associate Vice President, Rail Program Lead

Wilson & Company•Kansas City, MO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Wilson & Company is seeking an accomplished Rail Program Lead to provide strategic leadership, technical direction, client stewardship, and business growth for our rail and industrial infrastructure practice. This senior role is ideal for a proven rail professional who can lead complex programs, mentor multidisciplinary teams, strengthen client relationships, and deliver high-quality solutions for railroad, industrial, public agency, and private-sector clients. In this role, you will represent Wilson & Company in the marketplace while collaborating across practice, sector, client account, project management, and technical teams. The successful candidate will balance program delivery, technical excellence, financial performance, staff development, and market growth while advancing a culture of collaboration, quality, safety, and client service.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related engineering field required; advanced degree preferred.
Professional Engineer license required.
15+ years of progressive experience in rail, civil infrastructure, industrial development, transportation, or related markets.
5+ years leading programs, project teams, practice areas, business units, or major client accounts.
Experience preparing proposals, leading interviews, negotiating scopes, developing teams, and growing a sustainable book of business.

Nice To Haves

Deep familiarity with railroad requirements, standards, procedures, and stakeholder coordination practices.
Strong understanding of rail civil design, track infrastructure, drainage, site development, grade crossings, utility coordination, MEP, public projects, and construction support.
Proven ability to build trusted client relationships, develop new work, lead pursuits, support proposal strategy, and grow a profitable practice.
Ability to mentor project managers, technical staff, and emerging leaders while supporting recruitment, retention, and succession planning.

Responsibilities

Lead major rail and industrial infrastructure programs from planning and design through construction support and closeout.
Serve as a trusted advisor to railroad, industrial, public agency, and private-sector clients by understanding their operational needs, safety requirements, capital plans, and business priorities.
Develop and execute growth strategies for the rail and industrial practice, including sales, bookings, backlog development, pursuit strategy, proposal leadership, and market positioning.
Build, mentor, and empower high-performing project managers, technical professionals, and emerging leaders.
Partner with client account managers and sector leaders to strengthen client relationships and expand opportunities across Wilson & Company’s full range of services.
Promote Wilson & Company’s safety, quality management, risk management, and project delivery processes.
Represent Wilson & Company in professional organizations, industry conferences, client meetings, and strategic market initiatives.