Texas/Oklahoma Area Manager, Transportation

GFT • Oklahoma City, OK

33d • $196,000 - $320,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

GFT is seeking a Transportation Area Manager for the Texas/Oklahoma Region. Reporting to the Regional Leader, this role has 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 aligned with Regional, Business Group, and enterprise priorities.

The role leads development and execution of the Area business plan and growth strategy; manages the pipeline and sales forecast; advances opportunities from lead through project start; and builds relationships with clients, industry partners, and community stakeholders. It also owns area financial and operating results, budgets, workload and capacity planning, resource deployment, and project performance. The Area Manager leads organizational staff, workforce planning, hiring, coaching, and succession efforts, while fostering a collaborative culture of safety, quality, inclusion, learning, innovation, and continuous improvement. The role 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 in a hybrid in-person and remote work environment. Core business hours are 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Employment status is full-time. The salary range is $196,000–$320,000, dependent on experience and geographic location.

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, including market, client, practice sales, investment, and hiring priorities.
• Own the Area pipeline and sales forecast; identify, position, prioritize, and advance 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 trusted relationships with priority clients, industry partners, and community stakeholders; serve as a 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/indirect costs, and cash performance.
• Build and manage annual Area budgets, review performance through a disciplined operating cadence, and take timely corrective action.
• Lead workload, capacity, and resource planning; deploy and share staff across workgroups, Areas, Regions, and Practices to support utilization, staff development, and reliable project delivery.
• Hold Org Leaders, Project Principals, and Project Managers accountable for 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, visible 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.

Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• 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, access to internal and external training programs, and support for active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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