Area Lead - Transportation Design

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

The Area Lead - Transportation Design is responsible for overseeing and growing the firm's transportation design service offering within a defined geographic area. Reporting to the Transportation Design Regional Lead and/or Practice Lead, this role drives market growth, client development, project delivery, operational performance, and team leadership. The Area Lead plays a key role in executing the firm's strategic objectives by expanding market share, strengthening priority client relationships, ensuring high-quality project delivery, and developing technical talent.

With a strong understanding of the Northern California transportation infrastructure market, this individual serves as the primary liaison between local delivery teams and transportation leadership, fostering collaboration across offices and disciplines while ensuring alignment with regional and firm wide goals.

Responsibilities

Market Growth and Client Service:

• Own and execute BKF’s Transportation’s market strategy in Northern California, with accountability for pipeline development, pursuit performance, sales, and backlog.
• Collaborate closely with BKF’s other business units to provide integrated client solutions while maintaining leadership responsibility for transportation design opportunities.
• Personally lead and shape major pursuits for complex transportation projects, including highway, municipal, transit, and/or airports.
• Serve as BKF Transportation’s primary contact with transportation agency executives, program leaders, and public-sector decision makers throughout Northern California and with an emphasis in the North bay and Sacramento Valley.
• Identify and influence opportunities years in advance of procurement, shaping scope, delivery strategy, and teaming.

Operations:

• Oversee day-to-day operations across offices or teams within the area.
• Coordinate with office leaders to ensure consistent application of firm policies and procedures.
• Monitor area performance metrics and elevate issues to the Regional Lead as needed.
• Oversee project budgets and resource allocation, ensuring efficient use of staff and financial resources.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Conduct regular team meetings to review project progress and resolve outstanding issues.
• Responsible for meeting or exceeding performance KPIs including, but not limited to, utilization and project profitability.

Project Delivery & Client Engagement:

• Lead engineering teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Coordinate scope, timelines, and deliverables across multiple projects.
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, addressing concerns and ensuring satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain client relationships to support business growth and new opportunities.
• Implement quality assurance and control processes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful delivery.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Supervise project managers, engineers, and technical staff, providing guidance and support.
• Foster a positive and inclusive…