Principal Consultant - Transportation

PA Consulting•Boston, MA

21h•$159,200 - $212,300•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a commercially sharp, strategically minded Principal Consultant to join and strengthen our Transportation practice. Equivalent to a Director, this role sits at the intersection of client engagement, business development, and delivery excellence helping public and private transportation clients navigate their most complex operational, financial, and strategic challenges.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in management consulting, public sector advisory, or a substantive role within a transportation authority or agency
Experience building and managing client relationships at a senior level, including engagement with executive directors, C-suite, or senior public sector officials
Experience contributing to and managing complex engagements with multidisciplinary teams — from project initiation through final deliverable
Involvement in business development activities, including contributing to proposals, responding to RFPs, and supporting go-to-market efforts
Financial acumen: experience with business case development, budget oversight, cost-benefit analysis, and value-for-money assessments
Solid understanding of transportation operating models, including multimodal service delivery, fare systems, fleet management, and capital project governance
Familiarity with public sector economics: funding structures, deficit management, ridership demand modelling, and public finance instruments
Experience with organizational design, operating model transformation, or performance improvement in a transportation or infrastructure context
Financial modelling, scenario analysis, and investment appraisal for public infrastructure programs
Operating model design: governance structures, organizational charts, RACI frameworks, workforce planning, and change management
Transportation economics: demand forecasting, revenue optimization, subsidy analysis, and cost allocation methodologies
Public-private partnership (P3) advisory, including procurement structure, risk allocation, and contract management
Program management for capital delivery: schedule risk, funding management, and contractor oversight frameworks
Knowledge of federal and state transportation funding mechanisms (IIJA, FTA programs, TIFIA, state revolving funds)
Data-driven decision-making: comfort with performance metrics, KPIs, dashboards, and translating analysis into executive narratives
Executive communication: ability to produce board-level briefings, strategy documents, and compelling presentations

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in business administration, public policy, finance, engineering, or a related field; an MBA is highly valued
Prior experience within a transit authority, state DOT, or transportation agency, whether in an advisory, operational, or project role
Active network within the US transportation industry with transit authorities, toll agencies, federal agencies (FTA, FHWA), or industry bodies (APTA, IBTTA)
Familiarity with technology-enabled transportation transformation: MaaS platforms, contactless fare collection, GTFS/data standards, or intelligent transportation systems
Experience working in coalition or teaming arrangements with engineering, construction, or technology partners

Responsibilities

Build and sustain trusted relationships across transit authorities, toll agencies, DOTs,and mobility operators, helping clients navigate complex stakeholder environments define strategic priorities.
Contribute to engagements spanning business cases, funding strategy, fare revenue modeling, P3 structuring, and capital program financial management for major infrastructure clients.
Advise clients on organizational restructuring, governance design, operating model transformation, and workforce strategy across complex multi-modal transport systems.
Support and drive pipeline growth by contributing to pursuit strategy, authoring proposals, and representing the firm at industry forums, conferences, and with strategic partners.
Coach and support consultants and managers, contribute to a high-performing team culture, and participate in practice capability building, hiring, and thought leadership.
Translate federal and state policy trends, funding mechanisms (IIJA, FTA, FHWA), and market dynamics into actionable strategies for clients and internal planning.