Project Manager - Transportation Design

SCJ Alliance•Lacey, WA

3d•$145,000 - $164,000•Hybrid

About The Position

SCJ Alliance is seeking an experienced transportation Project Manager and Lacey Team Lead to lead a team of nine, manage transportation design projects, develop client relationships, and help shape the firm’s Lacey transportation practice. The role combines project delivery, people leadership, resource planning, and business development. The position reports to the Transportation Business Group Director and works with the Office Principal, group leaders, and Marketing team on business development, staffing, budgets, training priorities, and strategic planning. The team’s work includes corridor and roadway design, signalized intersections and roundabouts, downtown transportation revitalization, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, trails, transit facilities, stormwater design, highway framework studies, interchange justification reports, transportation planning, and public outreach. Clients include state and federal transportation agencies, cities, counties, and Tribal clients. The Project Manager leads projects from start to finish, including scope, fee, schedule, design, quality, budget, and contract management. The role provides technical direction and quality reviews; coordinates disciplines, subconsultants, workloads, and staffing; and builds client relationships. As Team Lead, the position supports and develops staff, mentors project managers, and helps guide performance, career growth, and technical and leadership development. The role also contributes to proposals, interviews, presentations, and the growth of the local practice. The position is based in SCJ Alliance’s Lacey office, which has approximately 60 employees. The transportation team includes staff in Lacey and one fully remote member. Most Lacey staff work in the office three or more days per week, and leaders are expected to be present most days, with some hybrid flexibility. Travel to other offices for collaboration and conferences is possible. Site visits are as needed and typically local, with occasional overnight travel possibly required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent.
Professional Engineer license.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible transportation engineering experience, including project management.
Experience managing transportation design projects and preparing or overseeing plans, specifications, and estimates.
Ability to develop scopes, fees, schedules, and work plans and manage project financial performance.
Experience working with public agency clients and coordinating with stakeholders.
Strong communication and leadership skills, including organizing work, delegating effectively, mentoring staff, and addressing challenges constructively.
Leadership experience with responsibility for direct supervision and mentoring of technical staff.
Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, OpenRoads, or other platforms.
Commitment to client service, thoughtful problem-solving, and high-quality work.
Must have work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship; SCJ does not provide immigration sponsorship.
Must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

WSDOT experience.
Experience with Vantagepoint and/or Mosaic.

Responsibilities

Lead transportation projects from start to finish; develop and negotiate scopes, fees, and schedules; create and maintain project management plans; assign responsibilities; and guide work as needs and priorities change.
Provide technical direction on design alternatives and engineering challenges, and oversee preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates.
Coordinate contributions from other disciplines and subconsultants.
Conduct technical quality reviews and peer reviews, follow quality assurance and quality control processes, and review reports and deliverables before submission.
Build client relationships by understanding priorities, setting expectations, facilitating meetings, and communicating options when challenges arise.
Track project budgets, schedules, staffing, and progress; address scope changes and financial concerns; and manage contracts while considering client relationships and SCJ’s interests.
Lead and develop staff by setting expectations, delegating, providing feedback, and helping engineers and designers set technical and leadership development goals.
Partner with the Business Group Director and group leads from other offices to mentor newer project managers in project controls, client communication, delegation, and team leadership.
Identify staffing needs, forecast workloads, and coordinate resources across offices to align project demands with staff skills and capacity.
Work with the Office Principal, Business Group Director, and Marketing team to identify opportunities, strengthen client relationships, and lead or contribute to proposals, interviews, and presentations.
Communicate with clients, colleagues, leadership, agencies, and other stakeholders; lead meetings; prepare reports and presentations; and clarify priorities and next steps.
Share knowledge and foster accountability, collaboration, constructive discussion, and team connection.
Help shape business development efforts, resource plans, annual budgets, training priorities, and strategic planning for the local transportation practice.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Company-provided life, AD&D, travel, EAP, and short- and long-term disability insurance policies.
HSA and FSA options.
PTO, paid holidays, and floating holidays.
401(k) plan.
Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), with annual contributions on behalf of eligible employees, subject to plan requirements.
Reimbursement for eligible licensing and professional organization expenses.
Dog-friendly office.
Community involvement opportunities and a charitable matching program.
Leadership training, participation in strategic planning, and HR guidance and leadership tools.