Mid-West Area Manager, Transportation

GFT • Chicago, IL

11h • Hybrid

About The Position

GFT is seeking a Transportation Area Manager for the Mid-West Region. Reporting to the Regional Leader, the Area Manager has strategy, growth, operational, and P&L responsibility for a defined geographic area within the Transportation Business Group. The role sets direction, drives growth, leads people, and ensures profitable, high-quality project delivery in alignment with Regional, Business Group, and enterprise priorities.

The Area Manager develops and executes the Area business plan, owns the pipeline and sales forecast, advances opportunities, and builds relationships with clients and industry partners. The role is accountable for Area financial and operating results, budgeting, resource planning, project health, compliance, and profitable delivery. It also leads Area-level managers and staff, workforce planning and hiring, employee development and retention, and a culture of safety, quality, inclusion, learning, and continuous improvement. The Area Manager may also serve as a Project Principal or Project Manager on strategic assignments when appropriate.

The position is based in any Mid-West Region office and offers a hybrid in-person and remote work environment. Core business hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. The salary range is $196,000–$320,000, dependent on experience and geographic location. Employment is full-time.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, architecture, or a related field.
• Professional licensure, registration, or relevant certification, and ability to obtain credentials in applicable jurisdictions where required.
• 15+ years of progressive transportation consulting, design planning, program management, or related experience.
• At least 5 years 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, covering market, client, practice sales, investment, and hiring priorities.
• Own the Area pipeline and sales forecast; identify, prioritize, position, and advance opportunities from lead through 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 in client service, capture, pursuit, or executive sponsor roles for selected accounts and opportunities.
• Monitor client capital programs, funding, market trends, and competitors, and translate insights into growth actions and 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 revenue, sales, wins, bookings, backlog, profitability, utilization, project variance, WIP, accounts receivable, overhead, and cash performance.
• Build and manage annual Area budgets, review performance, and take corrective action as needed.
• Lead workload, capacity, and resource planning; deploy and share 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 project health and high-risk projects, escalate issues, and lead recovery actions.
• 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, and a GFT-first approach.
• Own workforce planning and hiring; identify critical capabilities, set staffing priorities, and partner with Talent Acquisition and Org Leaders on recruitment and onboarding.
• Coach and develop employees; manage performance, engagement, retention, succession, promotions, and leadership readiness.
• Build a 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.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance.
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Professional development, including access to internal and external training programs and support for participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior