Manager – Project Programming

Houston-Galveston Area Council•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Manager – Project Programming is responsible for developing, administering, and implementing the Houston-Galveston Area Council Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and related transportation programming activities. The role manages processes for prioritizing, programming, and advancing regional transportation projects toward implementation, ensuring consistency with the Regional Transportation Plan, available funding, and applicable federal and state requirements. The Manager coordinates with TxDOT district offices and statewide program staff, local governments, transit agencies, and other regional partners to align the MPO’s TIP with state transportation programming documents, including the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and Unified Transportation Plan. The position leads TIP policies, procedures, and programming criteria to promote transparency, consistency, accountability, and effective use of funding. The Manager supervises and develops professional staff, maintains effective programming processes, and provides technical guidance to project sponsors and regional partners. The position also identifies improvements to programming practices and strengthens coordination so regional transportation priorities are represented in programming decisions and advance efficiently.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study.
Five years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school, or in job-related duties.
Strong understanding of federal and state transportation funding programs, MPO planning and programming requirements, project development processes, and transportation project delivery.
Ability to supervise and develop professional staff, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, build effective working relationships, and lead complex projects involving multiple agencies and stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
Eight years of experience in transportation planning, including planning studies, policy development, or transportation funding strategies.
Master’s degree in Urban Planning or a related field of study.
Experience working with FHWA, FTA, TxDOT, local governments, transit agencies, and/or regional transportation partners.
Experience working with Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
Experience developing and administering Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs), TIP amendments, transportation funding programs, and project delivery initiatives.
Comprehensive understanding of federal and statewide transportation planning programs and regulations.

Responsibilities

Manage development, maintenance, and administration of the H-GAC MPO Transportation Improvement Program, including project solicitation, evaluation, prioritization, funding allocation, amendments, modifications, and required approvals.
Lead development of a comprehensive TIP Policy document for the next TIP, including policies, procedures, evaluation criteria, prioritization methods, funding strategies, and expectations for project readiness and implementation.
Coordinate with TxDOT local district offices and statewide program staff to align transportation programming documents.
Ensure programmed projects are consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan, federal and state requirements, funding eligibility criteria, and available financial resources.
Collaborate with local governments, transit agencies, TxDOT, and other project sponsors to identify programming needs, resolve funding and scheduling issues, and advance regional transportation priorities.
Oversee preparation, review, and coordination of TIP documentation, project listings, funding information, schedules, amendments, and supporting materials for MPO committees and decision-making bodies.
Maintain processes to monitor programmed projects, track funding and implementation milestones, and identify programming issues or opportunities to improve project delivery.
Supervise, mentor, and develop staff responsible for transportation programming, set work priorities, and ensure assignments are completed accurately and on time.
Provide technical guidance to MPO leadership, staff, and regional partners on TIP requirements, project programming procedures, funding eligibility, and regional, state, and federal programming processes.
Support preparation of reports, presentations, and recommendations for MPO technical advisory committees and governing bodies, communicating programming decisions, policy changes, funding considerations, and implementation priorities.