Texas/Oklahoma Area Manager, Transportation

GFT.•Farmers Branch, TX

41d•$196,000 - $320,000•Hybrid

About The Position

GFT is hiring a Transportation Area Manager for the Texas/Oklahoma Region. Reporting to the Regional Leader, the role carries strategy, growth, operational, and P&L responsibility for a defined geographic area within the Transportation Business Group. The Area Manager sets direction, drives growth, leads people, and ensures profitable, high-quality project delivery in alignment with regional, business group, and enterprise priorities. The position develops the area's business plan and growth strategy, owns its opportunity pipeline and sales forecast, and leads or approves pursuit activities within delegated authority. It builds client and partner relationships, monitors market and funding trends, and collaborates across the company to pursue opportunities. The Area Manager is accountable for financial and operating results, annual budgets, workload and resource planning, project performance, compliance, and corrective action on at-risk work. The role leads area-level managers and staff, oversees workforce planning and hiring, and supports employee development, engagement, retention, succession, and leadership readiness. The manager may also serve as a Project Principal or Project Manager on strategic assignments when appropriate. The position is based in any Texas/Oklahoma Region office, with a hybrid in-person and remote work environment. Core business hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, architecture, or a related field.
Professional licensure, registration, or relevant certification, and the ability to obtain credentials in applicable jurisdictions where required.
15 or more years of progressive transportation consulting, design planning, program management, or related experience.
At least 5 years of experience leading staff and managers.
Demonstrated success managing P&L, building client relationships, developing business, leading strategic pursuits, and delivering complex infrastructure projects profitably.
Strong financial acumen and business judgment.
Excellent communication, negotiation, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the Area business plan and growth strategy, including market, client, practice sales, investment, and hiring priorities.
Own the area pipeline and sales forecast, advancing opportunities from lead through pursuit, win, booking, and project start.
Lead or approve go/no-go recommendations, teaming, capture plans, pursuit investments, pricing inputs, proposal reviews, and interview preparation within delegated authority.
Build relationships with priority clients, industry partners, and community stakeholders; serve as client service leader, capture manager or pursuit leader, or executive sponsor for selected accounts and opportunities.
Monitor client capital programs, funding, market trends, and competitors, and convert insights into focused growth actions and measurable sales results.
Collaborate across Regions, Business Lines, Practices, and the Growth Office to cross-sell services, share resources, and pursue opportunities.
Own Area financial and operating results, including net revenue, sales, wins, bookings, backlog, profitability/EBITDA, utilization, net labor multiplier, project variance, WIP, accounts receivable, overhead and indirect costs, and cash performance.
Build and manage annual budgets, review performance through a disciplined operating cadence, and take timely corrective action.
Lead workload, capacity, and resource planning, deploying and sharing staff across workgroups, Areas, Regions, and Practices.
Hold Org Leaders, Project Principals, and Project Managers accountable for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, client satisfaction, invoicing, collections/cash, and profitable delivery.
Review general project health and high-risk projects, escalate issues, and lead recovery actions that protect clients, staff, and Area profitability.
Ensure compliance with the Quality Management System, safety requirements, contracts, company policies, professional standards, and applicable regulations.
Lead Org Managers, Group Leaders, and other Area-level staff with clear goals, accountability, communication, sound judgment, and a GFT-first approach.
Own workforce planning and hiring, identify critical capabilities, set staffing priorities within delegated authority, and partner with Talent Acquisition and Org Leaders to recruit and onboard staff.
Coach and develop employees; manage performance, engagement, retention, succession, promotions, and leadership readiness for key roles.
Build a collaborative culture of safety, quality, inclusion, learning, innovation, and continuous improvement while modeling GFT values and leadership expectations.
Serve as a Project Principal or Project Manager on strategic project assignments when appropriate.