Principal Transportation Planner - Leadership

This is a senior leadership role targeted at transportation planning professionals with 12–15+ years of experience. The title "Principal" signals the top of the individual contributor track at most consulting firms, with a clear expectation of business development ownership alongside technical delivery.

Compensation: The $135K–$155K range is competitive for a Principal-level planner in mid-sized US markets (e.g., Rochester, Buffalo, Albany — LaBella's core geography). In high-cost metros like NYC or LA, this would be on the lower end of the market. AICP-certified principals at large firms can command $160K–$180K+.

• Proposal writing and win strategy for transportation planning contracts
• Multi-modal and transit corridor planning — high demand skills as federal infrastructure funding expands
• Client relationship management and account growth
• Budget management and resource forecasting on complex projects

Green flags: Strong benefits package including profit sharing and tuition reimbursement signal a firm investing in employee retention. Leadership Development Program indicates structured growth pathways.

Watch for: The note about "effort outside normal business hours" and "minimal supervision" suggests high autonomy but also high accountability — this is not a 9-to-5 role. Business development responsibility at this level is effectively a quota-carrying expectation, so success depends heavily on your existing client network.

LaBella Associates is currently seeking a Principal Transportation Planner to manage transportation projects, enhance relationships with existing clients, and work with market leadership to develop new clients.

The Principal Transportation Planner leads larger, more complex planning assignments and spearheads project assignments involving day-to-day task management, staffing, scheduling, and technical responsibilities along with client coordination. Planners at this level exercise the highest levels of independence and judgment, receiving minimal supervision from senior management.

Projects generally focus on transportation, transit, and multi-modal planning, including corridor studies, service planning, alternatives analysis, and concept development. This level of professional leads project management activities including budget tracking by task, and is responsible for developing proposals and initiating business development activities. Effort outside normal business hours may be required to meet client requests and/or attend meetings. The successful candidate must be technically astute in transportation practices and have a proven background of management leadership on transportation projects.

Salary Range: $135,000 – $155,000 per year

The specific salary offered may be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, education, and work location.

• Fifteen (15) years of professional planning experience, or a master's degree in planning or related field and twelve (12) years of professional planning.
• AICP Certification is preferred.
• Active member of a professional practice organization.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of planning, including funding. Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning or transportation planning.

• Established relationships within the industry.
• Possesses strong business development skills.
• Demonstrates strong project management qualities and excellent knowledge of project management processes.
• Experience with putting together winning proposals and delivering presentations for new work.
• An articulate and persuasive communicator, both one-on-one and…