Transportation Director

Posted: 09-Jul-26 | Location: Hillsborough, North Carolina | Type: Full Time | Internal Number: R-00330NC26.02

About the Role

The Transportation Director provides executive leadership, vision, and administration for the Orange County Transportation Department, guiding the planning, coordination, and delivery of transportation and transit programs that connect residents to employment, education, medical care, and other essential destinations across the county and the broader region. The Director sets the operational and strategic direction for the department, translating the priorities approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the direction of the County Manager into effective, cost-efficient programs and seamless customer service.

Reporting to the County Manager, the Director develops, implements, and monitors transportation policies, programs, and budgets in alignment with county, state, and federal goals. The role carries full responsibility for the department's financial stewardship, including the development and administration of annual operating and capital budgets, the management of contracts with public and private agencies, and the appropriate programming of County funds toward multimodal transportation needs.

The Director conducts and reviews research, statistical analysis, and special studies to develop, amend, and implement County transportation plans and improvement projects, and summarizes the potential effects of proposed policy initiatives for County leadership.

A central part of the role is effective regional collaboration and seamless coordination. The Director serves as the primary liaison between Orange County and local, regional, state, and federal partners, including US Department of Transportation, NC Department of Transportation, the Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization, Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organizations (BGMPO), Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization (TARPO), Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART), GoTriangle, and Chapel Hill Transit, as well as municipalities, County departments, and advisory boards.

The Director manages the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) and the County's representation on the technical committees of regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations, developing regional plans and implementation programs within federal and state guidelines and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including SPOT/STIP, CTP, MTP, MTIP, UPWP, CMAQ, and STBG processes, while supporting the County Commissioner representatives.

The Director also serves as the primary point of contact with NCDOT for BOCC, staff, and citizen inquiries, providing information for project requests and delivery and keeping the Board informed on both STIP and non-STIP actions such as corridor studies, safety and mobility programs, and bridge replacement.

The position oversees the maintenance of department facilities and vehicles, monitors fleet and insurance costs, and manages the County's portion of the UPWP, STIP, CTP, MTP, and SPOT prioritization processes, including elements of the Triangle Regional Model and Bus and Rail Investment Plan monitoring.

The Transportation Director reports directly to the Orange County Manager and serves as the County's senior transportation leader. The Director presents regularly to the Board of County Commissioners and provides staff support to Commissioner representatives on regional bodies. The Director supervises and manages department staff and manages the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard).

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Orange County Transportation Department.
• Develop, implement, and monitor transportation policies, programs, and budgets aligned with county, state, and federal goals.
• Manage the department's financial stewardship, including annual operating and capital budgets, and contracts with public and private agencies.
• Conduct research, statistical analysis, and special studies to develop and implement transportation plans and improvement projects.
• Serve as the primary liaison with local, regional, state, and federal transportation partners and agencies.
• Manage the Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) and represent the County on regional planning committees.
• Oversee compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements, including SPOT/STIP, CTP, MTP, MTIP, UPWP, CMAQ, and STBG processes.
• Act as the primary point of contact with NCDOT for project requests, delivery, and inquiries.
• Oversee maintenance of department facilities and vehicles, and monitor fleet and insurance costs.
• Make written and oral presentations to management, advisory boards, and the Board of County Commissioners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, or a related field of study.
• Five (5) years of executive-level experience related to program evaluation, performance measurement, planning, engineering, or budget development and evaluation, including transit systems management, operations, and planning.
• Possess, or be able to readily obtain, a driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Pay

The expected hiring range is $125,000-$150,000, depending on qualifications.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Participation in the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan
• Paid leave
• Life insurance
• Longevity pay
• Tuition refund
• Flexible compensation
• Voluntary and supplemental coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave (for FMLA-eligible employees)
• Wellness program