Transportation Planning Group Manager

Company: ESP Associates
Location: Morrisville
Posted on: February 15, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description ESP Associates is currently seeking a Transportation Planning Group Manager to join our team in Raleigh (Morrisville), NC. This is a great opportunity for a transportation professional to continue to grow their career with a dynamic firm supporting a variety of clients and projects throughout North Carolina. This individual will be at the helm of overall staffing, supervision, management, and growth of the group. Infusing passion and innovation into every project, the ESP team of companies thrives on helping clients design, improve, repair, and assess the transportation networks so critical to everyday life. From highway interchanges and sidewalk programs to port and mass transit infrastructure, we understand the unique needs of state, municipal, and private transportation projects of all sizes. As a leader contributing to employee development and management of departmental activity, this individual will ultimately be responsible for: Managing clients and undertaking business development activities, Preparation of proposals/ contracts, and Representing ESP and client(s) in public settings. Responsibilities: Build/develop, lead and direct the Transportation Planning team in North Carolina. Participate in a team of talented professionals in various disciplines, sub-consultants, and reviewers to ensure efficient and productive utilization of staff in providing high-quality service for our clients. Manage project budgets, goal setting, scopes of work, fee estimates, and the preparation of proposals and contracts. Oversee and direct project progression, accurate client billing, and project profitability. Represent clients and the firm at project meetings, open houses and/or public hearings. Interface with clients as part of business development and project negotiation efforts. Develops and maintains relationships with current and prospective clients. Maintains a high public profile with our targeted client base, including participating as an active member in civil and professional activities, societies and organizations. Oversee quality assurance and quality control throughout the planning process. Clearly communicate through drawings, documents, reports, and verbal exchange through an advanced level of technical writing and communication skills. Manage and oversee all aspects of projects and operations, ensuring adherence to project specifications, safety standards, and quality control measures. Assist with the management of plan production on projects. Workforce planning, monthly billing, and final review of completed documents. Business development and marketing of clients including networking, active participation in professional development forums, presenting work to professional organizations, writing proposals, and maintaining budgets and backlog reporting for projected work. Project contract preparation, invoicing, and financial reporting. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies/Policy, Urban Planning, Civil/Environmental Engineering, or related field American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certified or PE license. 10 years of related transportation planning project management experience. Experience with environmental processes and documentation requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Experience developing multi-modal plans including but not limited to Active Transportation Plans, Complete Streets Plans, Corridor Plans and Safety Plans, among other planning project types. Experience with cross-agency coordination. Ability to conduct market research and analysis. Ability to lead community engagement and stakeholder relations activities. Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide junior staff, orchestrate project teams of various sizes and skills, and manage staff and subconsultants across multiple offices and locations. Experience analyzing project progress in conformance with project budgets, quality, scope, client reporting, and sub-consultant coordination. Experience in business development, client management, and marketing to transportation clients and ability to work with our talented marketing team to lead project pursuits, including the development of project proposals (written, presentations, interviews etc.). Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills to effectively and professionally interact with team members, clients, governmental review authorities, government officials, and the public. Demonstrated expertise adjusting to priorities and demands from multiple clients and projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, multi-disciplinary environment. Firm understanding of risk management and loss prevention. Superior organizational and planning skills with keen attention to detail. Excellent financial management skills. Experience with developing and following a formalized QA/QC program. Candidate must be able to pass a drug screen, background check, and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the company’s driving (MVR) policy. Corporate Information: ESP is a multi-discipline design and consulting firm providing our clients with civil engineering, surveying, planning/landscape architecture, geosciences, environmental, subsurface utility engineering, and construction engineering inspection. Through years of dedicated service to our clients, ESP has received a designation of 195 on the 2025 ENR Top 500 Design Firm rankings. For the firm's primary territory, the ENR Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms, ESP received a 2025 ranking of 52. ESP offers an excellent employee benefits package including: Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days) PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date) Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days) Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc Short-Term Disability Insurance (employer paid) Long-Term Disability Insurance Life Insurance Pet Insurance Education Reimbursement Opportunities Flexible and Dependent Benefits Plan Referral Bonuses

Keywords: ESP Associates, Fayetteville , Transportation Planning Group Manager, Engineering , Morrisville, North Carolina