KY/TN Traffic-Transportation Planning Practice Lead

KY/TN Traffic-Transportation Planning Practice Lead

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. We believe transportation is more than movement, it's the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR's Transportation Business Group, you'll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

KY-TN Traffic and Planning Services Practice Lead

The Traffic and Planning Services Practice Lead is a strategic and technical leadership role that integrates market development with practice excellence across the area. This position is responsible for driving growth, ensuring high-quality project delivery, and developing talent within both the Traffic and Planning Business Classes. Reporting to the Professional Services Leader, this position collaborates with regional, area, business class, and business group leadership to align business strategy with technical execution, positioning HDR as a premier service provider in their field, and championing technical excellence of the team.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Serve as Project Manager or Technical Project Lead for key/critical projects or programs.
• Provide Area leadership of technical capabilities within both the Traffic and Planning Business Classes.
• Coordinate with State Mobility Section Managers to plan workload and staffing, as well as technical training of the team.
• Lead strategic planning and execution for market growth within the assigned practice area.
• Plan, direct and monitor all aspects of multi-disciplinary transportation planning projects including but not limited to long-range visioning, strategic and tactical planning, policy and systems planning, data analytics and modeling, multimodal and intermodal planning, and project development.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, with a deep understanding of client needs, funding mechanisms, and regulatory environments.
• Partner with Area Business Development Lead and others to identify and pursue new business opportunities.
• Oversee quality assurance processes, including critical project reviews.
• Advance best practices, tools, and standards across the practice.
• Serve as liaison to national Business Classes, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with national and regional technical leaders to maintain a cutting-edge, competitive practice and manage workshare.
• Mentor and develop staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Monitor utilization and coordinate staffing strategies, including hiring and workshare.
• Support succession planning and career development initiatives.
• Participate in monthly coordination calls with business class, regional, and client leadership.
• Troubleshoot project delivery issues and support resolution planning.
• Participate in annual reviews of staff, when appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15 years' experience in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field.
• Professional registration such as AICP, PE, PTOE, PTP, PMP preferred.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of the local market.
• Ability to work cooperatively with area manager, area business group managers, area business development lead, and area professional services lead.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field.
• 10 years of experience.
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values.
• Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience.
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams.
• Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.