Deputy Business Sector Leader

GAI Consultants, Inc.•Orlando, FL

53d

About The Position

The Florida Transportation group is seeking a Deputy Business Sector Leader to serve in a high‑level operational and strategic leadership role supporting a comprehensive statewide transportation practice. This position provides executive-level oversight of planning, engineering design, and delivery of complex infrastructure programs for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), and local transportation agencies across the state. This is a senior leadership position for a proven transportation professional with extensive experience managing large multidisciplinary teams, driving business performance, and cultivating key client relationships. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong business acumen, operational excellence, and the strategic capability to support sector growth initiatives statewide and contribute to national transportation strategy.

Requirements

Extensive knowledge and experience with FDOT Districts (especially D2, D4, D5, and D7), FTE, CFX, and major Florida counties/cities.
Experience leading major roadway, bridge, systems/ITS, PD&E, or Design-Build programs.
Proven capability to support strategic planning, business development, and client engagement across a large geographic market.
Demonstrated expertise in managing multidiscipline engineering teams and complex project portfolios.
Florida PE license required (with ability to obtain reciprocity in other states as needed).
20+ years of progressive experience in transportation engineering, project management, and organizational leadership.
B.S. or M.S. in Civil Engineering or related field required.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) License in Florida required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or equivalent executive‑level experience preferred.
Ability to obtain reciprocity in multiple states preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides executive advisory guidance across broad project areas, including planning, design, systems engineering, and program management.
Oversees technical quality and ensures adherence to company standards, FDOT requirements, and industry best practices.
Supports innovation in transportation planning, emerging mobility, digital delivery, and sustainable infrastructure.
Assesses systems‑level performance metrics to optimize delivery of complex statewide transportation programs.
Oversees multiple large, statewide transportation programs and multidiscipline project teams.
Develops and directs initiatives that advance the strategic goals of the Transportation Business Sector.
Evaluates project management plans for high‑risk, high‑value transportation projects.
Develops risk management strategies aligned with operational and financial objectives.
Assesses leadership effectiveness throughout the organization.
May manage select strategic projects (up to $250,000 annually) to support business objectives.
Supports development of statewide organizational strategy, staff development, succession planning, and recruitment.
Guides senior leaders and project managers through mentoring, performance feedback, and structured growth opportunities.
Negotiates critical, complex, and sensitive issues with internal and external leadership.
Represents the organization at key industry functions, conferences, and strategic client meetings.
Serves as an executive ambassador for the firm’s transportation practice across Florida and nationally.