Transportation Program Manager

Company Overview

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Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly qualified Transportation Program Manager with a transportation/infrastructure background to support our growing Midwestern operations. The ideal candidate is a Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois (or eligible for licensure through reciprocity) with a strong background in civil or structural engineering and the ability to lead complex transportation programs in collaboration with state and local agencies. This position is based in the greater Chicago, Illinois area, and candidates must be willing to relocate to the region if they are not currently local.

With high-level goals established, the Transportation Program Manager provides leadership and technical oversight for complex transportation and infrastructure programs from planning through design, construction, and project closeout. The successful candidate will oversee large-scale transportation programs involving highways, bridges, rail, transit, and other public infrastructure while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

The Program Manager serves as the primary liaison between clients, project teams, municipalities, state transportation agencies, regulatory agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders to facilitate communication, resolve technical and programmatic issues, and ensure successful project delivery. Responsibilities include managing program scope, schedules, budgets, resource allocation, risk management, and quality assurance while providing regular project status updates to clients and executive leadership.

The role includes providing technical leadership and strategic guidance on transportation and infrastructure initiatives, supporting construction management activities, identifying opportunities for program and process improvements, and developing recommendations that enhance project delivery and client outcomes. The Program Manager prepares and reviews technical reports, presentations, proposals, contracts, and other project documentation while ensuring adherence to firm standards, industry best practices, and applicable regulations.

This position collaborates with business development teams to identify new opportunities, develop technical proposals, respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and participate in client presentations and interviews. The Program Manager also meets with current and prospective clients to understand organizational needs and develop long-term strategic partnerships.

The successful candidate provides technical leadership, mentoring, and professional development to junior staff while fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. Participation in Communities of Practice (CoPs), professional organizations, industry conferences, and technical committees is encouraged to support technical excellence, innovation, and continued growth within the transportation practice. Performs other duties as required.

Skills & Abilities

• Expert knowledge of corporate governance practices, organization design principles, accounting principles, finance, supply chain management, and organization management.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to understand highly complex technical, professional and business materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.

• 15 years of related experience.

• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered professional engineer in Illinois – civil engineer or structural engineer preferred

• Program management experience required (5 years or more)

• Construction management experience

• Experience with Local or State Agencies

• Experience with roadway, rail/transit, or bridges

• Good communications skills, especially written, needed

• Fluency in English required

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.

Pay Range Max

USD $248,394.00

Pay Range Min

USD $134,264.00