Rail Leader - North America

Job Description

At GHD we are committed to addressing the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of energy, water and communities. We are a global network of multi‑disciplinary professionals providing clients with integrated solutions through engineering, environmental, design and construction expertise. Our future‑focused, innovative approaches connect and support communities around the world, building resiliency and sustainability for generations to come.

Established in 1928, GHD remains wholly owned by its people and consists of over 10 000 diverse and skilled individuals connected by more than 200 offices across five continents.

Rail has been identified as a sector for growth under the Enterprise Client Program (ECP). GHD has established trusted relationships with major Class I rail clients, primarily through environmental services and emergency response. The focus now is on expanding our support across the value chain, including engineering, asset management, digital advisory and infrastructure renewal. This sector presents a clear opportunity to bring more of GHD to the table, leveraging our strong regional capabilities within Canada and the U.S. Freight rail growth will be driven by strategic account planning, cross‑sell initiatives and close collaboration across business groups, positioning GHD as a full‑service partner to key rail clients.

GHD has expanded its commuter and light rail work, particularly in Ontario, and is now driving significant growth in California. The selected Sector Leader will work closely with our Transportation Market leadership to continue the expansion of our ECP clients across the U.S. and Canada in this sector to achieve balanced growth in the passenger rail arena to accompany freight rail.

• Develop and execute an approved client sector engagement plan.
• Direct the approach for specific client sector growth and achieve agreed‑upon stretch targets for winning work and building backlog.
• Responsible for the performance of key and growth clients and the performance of Relationship Managers within the sector.
• Lead the growth plan to develop valued clients into key and growth clients (build the ECP client portfolio).
• Provide oversight to Relationship Managers, including goal setting and quarterly performance reviews.
• Identify an overarching business plan and positioning to target clients within the sector, including acting as a Relationship Manager for certain clients.
• Develop or enhance client relationships to generate leads, opportunities, teaming strategies and winning work while influencing appropriate project delivery governance.
• Support portfolio Relationship Managers at the bidding stages through pre‑positioning, strategic bid planning, proposal development and financial strategy.
• Initiate growth strategies and step‑up initiatives applicable to relevant markets.
• Gather sector intelligence in partnership with Capture Strategy teams to influence GHD’s positioning.
• Partner with Technical Services to identify key needs within the client sector and match those to key GHD service offerings; when needed, identify gaps and work with operations to train, hire or relocate.
• Promote the centres of capability or service lines where GHD’s skills reside in servicing this sector.
• Assist with solutions‑based marketing that aligns to the needs within the client sector.
• Ensure the capture and maintenance of sector information in Salesforce.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or another relevant discipline.
• Project management and business development experience highly regarded.
• Minimum 15 years of industry experience, preferably in a consulting environment.
• Client account management experience within the designated sector.
• Highly developed and open communication and influencing skills, both oral and written.
• Strong people‑relationship and networking skills.
• Approachable to staff queries and highly visible in the sector and with specific clients.
• Understanding and adherence to GHD’s values, code of conduct, policies including risk and reputation management, and compliance with the GHD health and safety management system.

Please include a…