Planning Local Business Line Leader

WSP•Pittsburgh, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

WSP USA is hiring a Local Business Leader to oversee its Central and Western Pennsylvania Planning Practice as a Vice President in Transportation Planning, based in the Pittsburgh office. The role will organize, plan, and grow Advisory & Planning services in western and central Pennsylvania while serving as a client advisor, staff manager, and pursuit and project manager for Pennsylvania and regional projects and programs. The position works with planning, environmental, civil, and transit/rail staff across WSP to research, analyze, document, and present information about transportation projects. The leader provides strategic direction for the planning discipline, manages multidisciplinary teams and complex transportation planning projects, and supports business growth, client relationships, proposals, and project delivery. Responsibilities include overseeing budgets, schedules, profitability, compliance, staff performance, technical deliverables, and external relationships. Occasional travel may be required based on project needs. WSP describes its workplace model as flexible and agile while meeting client needs. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States. WSP offers medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings benefits.

Requirements

At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in transportation planning, environmental planning, or policy-related services.
Experience leading similar projects and successfully overseeing others and/or managing staff.
Bachelor’s degree in Transportation Planning, Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Civil Engineering, Public Policy, or a related field.
Ability to develop business and technical strategy collaboratively and manage high-quality technical and professional deliverables for projects and proposals.
Experience with key clients such as PennDOT, the Bureau of Public Transportation, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, local municipalities, MPOs, and RPOs.
Experience with transportation-sector project administration and project management.
Strong communication skills, energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.
Proficiency with the transportation project development cycle, from planning through implementation.
Good computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to present and communicate ideas effectively orally and in writing; excellent writing skills are required, and prior writing samples may be requested.
Authorization to work in the United States and a valid driver’s license.
Proven record of upholding workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.

Nice To Haves

Experience with MicroStation and/or GIS programs.
Master’s degree.
Professional licensure or certification, such as AICP Certification, PMP, or PE License.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, direction, expertise, and support for the planning discipline and function.
Manage multidisciplinary project teams through siting, impact assessment, approval, permitting, transportation planning, and management project phases.
Lead complex transportation planning projects, including coordinating contributors, schedules, budgets, hours, expenses, profitability, subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
Develop client relationships and business opportunities, including cross-selling WSP capabilities.
Oversee the use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and visualization tools to assess project locations, sensitivities, and potential impacts.
Promote compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, policies, and regulatory requirements.
Support long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development for Transportation Planning in the assigned area across planning, design, strategic consulting, and program management.
Lead technical aspects of contract negotiations, presentations, and meetings.
Assist in preparing annual updates to business tactical action plans for the assigned area.
Develop and continually improve planning discipline certifications, accreditations, and value proposition.
Conduct needs analyses and client value surveys, aligning the planning function with business and project strategies and identifying skill gaps or operational risks.
Schedule planning discipline meetings and provide updates and recommendations to develop expertise and innovation in project work.
Represent and act as a liaison for the planning discipline with agencies, clients, subcontractors, industry groups, and government and community entities.
Develop and inform proposal and project scopes, timelines, pricing, and budget metrics.
Interpret and summarize data, reports, and documents to support planning and regulatory conclusions that minimize impacts to communities, populations, local economies, and the environment.
Manage assigned staff and provide performance guidance and leadership.
Stay current on transportation planning subject matter, practices, regulations, and techniques.
Collaborate across disciplines to provide trusted-advisor service and future-ready client solutions.
Make responsible and ethical decisions regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and follow WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.