NW Planning Practice Leader

About the role

Support the continued performance and growth of the West Region Planning practice by leading strategic planning efforts in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) market. Provide leadership and support to the PNW Program Management initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support business development and pursue new opportunities within an ambitious growth plan to win more projects and increase market share.
• Position and differentiate the team to win more projects and increase market share, working with transportation clients and acting as a Subject Matter Expert in the delivery and oversight of these projects.
• Manage and provide technical expertise for mid-to-large size projects and programs.
• Manage multi-disciplinary teams.
• Manage project scope, budgets and schedules.
• Apply effective stakeholder management.
• Have experience in developing project schedules, scope and budget, as well as having other fundamental project management capabilities.
• Provide strong leadership and interpersonal skills directing support staff while utilizing effective communication skills.
• Help develop the vision and support business plans to drive the region's growth in planning and program management, leveraging a strong understanding of the local marketplace, competitive landscape, and opportunities.
• Work closely with the state business development lead and marketing team on development and implementation of local marketing and growth strategies.
• Represent the firm at client meetings, industry events, and other business functions.
• Develop relationships with local leaders from key teaming partner firms and take active leadership roles in professional organizations at local level.
• Schedule periodic meetings with key client personnel in coordination with PMs, staff and other members of leadership as appropriate.
• Leverage experience and relationships in the local market to support business pursuits.
• Support office in developing strategic teaming partnerships and subsequent agreements.
• Support the development of office-level action plans to support the regional business plan and encourage strong debate and analysis for growth in an area or discipline.
• Support compliance with company expectations for staff utilization and implement corrective action plans when/where needed.
• Resolve high level operational concerns or problems as soon as practicable and take actionable steps to remediate impacts and enhance performance.
• Assess and anticipate talent needs to best understand current and future gaps and bench strength.
• Support team recruiting efforts to align with growth strategy.
• Drive alignment between regional strategy, project delivery performance, and resource planning to ensure sustainable growth.
• Support the finance and operations of the planning and program management practice and associated projects.
• Measure and monitor budget and operational performance and communicate key metrics and information regularly to the leadership team.
• Maintain client communication in coordination with other offices and assure satisfactory client experience, project production, and quality Assurance / quality control procedures align with corporate and client requirements.
• Oversee succession plans and where appropriate, support development of defined successor(s) across the team.
• Perform honest and candid performance evaluations of direct reports.
• Recommend salary increases for subordinate staff for approval by leadership.
• Ensure office complies with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate policies / procedures.
• Results Drive regional business growth to support attainment of Lochner’s nationwide growth strategies, and annual sales goals.
• Contribute to long-term growth in the region by building the planning and program management capabilities required to secure current business and penetrate new markets.
• Stabilize the business and reinvigorate the culture.
• Engage and inspire the team, with a focus on sustainable growth through recruitment, retention, and professional development.
• Demonstrate leadership capabilities in strategic thinking, driving results, leading change, leading people, collaborating and influencing.

Requirements

• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in planning or program management, with specific expertise in transportation/transit infrastructure.
• Has led and delivered significant projects of scale through effective team and budget management.
• Experience with Sound Transit, King County, WSDOT.
• Strategic and growth minded leadership.
• Ensures effective governance, at the project and business level.
• Builds strong relationships.
• Ability to develop effective and trustworthy long-term relationships with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders in the transportation industry.
• Established network locally, with relevant partners.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Adept at leveraging communications skills both externally and internally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or similar degree.
• Joining Lochner means gaining access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health and financial well-being throughout your career.
• Comprehensive Total Rewards Package includes competitive premiums for medical, dental, and vision, paid time off and flexible holiday program, company-paid disability (including paid maternity leave), life insurance, health savings accounts (HSA) with employer contribution, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for medical expenses and/or dependent care, paid family leave, retirement plan with employer match, flexible work schedules (hybrid or remote, when possible), wellness program for physical and mental health, Lochner Cares non-profit 501c3 education and training assistance, employee assistance program, employee discounts, paid time off for charitable acts of service.