Texas​/Oklahoma Area Manager, Transportation

GFT is looking for a Transportation Area Manager to join our team in the Texas/Oklahoma Region!

GFT is looking for a Transportation Area Manager to join our team in the Texas/Oklahoma Region!

Reporting the the Regional Leader, the Area Manager 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 in alignment with Regional, Business Group, and enterprise priorities.

• 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 the delegated authority.
• Build trusted relationships with priority clients, industry partners, and community stakeholders; serve as client service leader (CSL), capture manager/pursuit leader, or executive sponsor for selected accounts and opportunities.
• Monitor client capital programs, funding, market trends, and competitors; convert insight 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 the best opportunities for GFT.

• Own Area Financial and operating results, including net revenue, sales, wins, bookings, backlog, profitability/EBITDA, utilization, net labor multiplier, project variance, WIP, accounts receivable (AR), overhead/indirect costs, and cash performance.
• Build and manage annual budgets for the area; review performance through disciplined operating cadence and take timely corrective action.
• Lead workload, capacity, and resource planning; deploy and share staff across work groups, 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; elevate identified 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 judgement, 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; manager 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.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, architecture, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Professional licensure, registration, or relevant certification, and where required, ability to obtain credentials in applicable jurisdictions.
• 15+ years of progressive transportation consulting, design planning, program management, or related experience, including 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, with excellent communication, negotiation, collaboration, and presentation skills.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, architecture, or a related field;…