Practice Lead
Description
Cambridge Systematics, Inc. is shaping the future of transportation. We are industry leaders, transportation specialists dedicated to ensuring that transportation investments can deliver the best possible results. By providing innovative policy and planning solutions, objective analyses and technology applications, we help our clients anticipate and meet future transportation needs while improving the performance of existing infrastructure and operations. Above all, we are committed to our clients’ success in making transportation better for future generations.
We are seeking a motivated professional to lead our Operations & Technology Planning practice. This practice is part of CS’ Integrated Planning & Policy business unit, which provides planning, policy, management, and project development services for our clients. Practices span strategic, program, and modal planning, organizational management and improvement, freight and rail services, finance and economics, transit and shared mobility, safety, sustainability and resilience, and active transportation. The Operations & Technology Planning practice collaborates with all of these in the application of our national knowledge and leadership, coupled with an intimate understanding of our clients’ needs.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for improving safety, equity, mobility, and related goals through multimodal operations, systems management, technology, and innovation. The position of a Practice Lead is responsible for driving growth and business development while collaborating with other Practice Leads, our Office of Growth, and resources across numerous teams.
The Operation & Technology Planning practice encompasses transportation systems management and operations (TSMO), intelligent transportation systems (ITS), systems engineering development, planning for operations, emerging technology (e.g., AI/ML mobility applications), innovations across modes (e.g., truck parking technology, active transportation safety, transit operations, etc.), program development, qualitative and quantitative evaluations, benefit-cost analysis, grant support, connected and/or automated vehicle applications, cooperative automation, and similar areas. The Practice Lead is not required to be an expert in all of these, but a working knowledge of principles and a drive to stay abreast of the state-of-the-art are essential.
Responsibilities and expectations include:
- Maintain and execute a market strategy that draws on the full capabilities of our firm, aligns with achieving Our Collective Ambition, and marshals the collective skills and expertise among our proven teams.
- Directing the business development pursuits of the Operations & Technology Planning practice and collaborating with experts from other business units to execute the strategy.
- Building strategic relationships with existing and prospective priority clients and teaming partners in order to expand our pipeline of opportunities.
- Leveraging our strong history and qualifications, identify and cultivate growth opportunities, expand CS’ exemplary reputation through proactive networking, and deliver proposals and successful project pursuits.
- A portion of time will also be dedicated to managing or contributing to projects, particularly leading high-profile projects across the country.
- Directly interfacing with federal agencies, state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, cities, transit agencies, tolling authorities, ports, and other public agencies nationwide.
- Work to support CS’ vision, core values, and strategic priorities, as all CS staff do.
- Take responsibility for products delivered to clients and take pride in deliverables that reflect well on the clients and on CS.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Practice Leadership & Business Development (BD)
•Designs and implements effective market strategies and business plans to drive growth •Participates in regional, business unit, and other BD meetings to coordinate BD and marketing activities •Develops and proactively refines win themes, teaming strategies, pricing strategies, and technical content for proposals, leveraging market intelligence •Builds and sustains long-term relationships with a diverse client base, ensuring deep understanding of their needs and maintaining communication post-delivery for ongoing satisfaction and potential repeat business •Cultivates and maintains trusted relationship with strategic teaming partners •Contributes to sound bid/no-bid decisions •Collaborates closely with management, Practice Leads, Team Leads, other senior consultants, and Marketing & Communications staff to create compelling and winning proposals
Project Management & Project Delivery
•Delivers all projects on-time, on-budget, exceeding stakeholder expectations, and to the client or project manager’s satisfaction •Leads projects aligned with the Culture Charter, offering continuous, constructive feedback to project team members •Provides clear guidance to project staff about their roles and project objectives •Develops and implements project delivery plan for each project •Ensures timely project status updates, quality reviews, proactive updates to resourcing needs, invoice reviews, and progress reports •Produces and delivers exceptional quality work that is thorough, polished, and reflects well on CS •Actively listens and understands the needs of clients, project managers, and colleagues •Provides value-added service to colleagues and clients through proactive and consistent communication •Meets chargeability and operational expectations
Position Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 13+ years of experience in transportation
- Project management experience and ability to cultivate client relationships
- Experience in private sector consulting
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office / 365
- Organized, proactive, and responsive
- Ability to lead efforts proactively and independently
- Willingness to travel to agencies and conferences within the U.S.
- Excellent verbal, presentation, and written communication skills
- Ability to build relationships with internal and external clients
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time effectively
- Demonstrates a high standard of ethics and integrity
- Track record in proposal development, business development, sales, business intelligence, or procurement management
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in business, engineering, or planning
- Proficient with Microsoft Dynamics
- Client-facing business development, sales, or account management / customer success experience, ideally in transportation consulting
- Management (CRM) application or similar platform such as Salesforce
- Experience networking with clients and teaming partners at conferences and tradeshows
- Existing network of teaming partner contacts at transportation consulting and/or Architectural & Engineering (A&E) firms
- Existing network or transportation agency contacts
- Any credentials (e.g., AICP, PE), education, or training certifications applicable to this role
- Experience in one or more areas of active transportation, transit, TSMO, planning for operations, economics, or innovative technology applications, multimodal corridor planning and/or alternatives analysis
Candidates should be aware that Cambridge Systematics currently maintains a policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Newly hired employees must be vaccinated prior to their employment start date and proof of vaccination is required. Cambridge Systematics is an equal opportunity employer and will provide a reasonable accommodation, for medical or religious exemptions, where it does not create an undue hardship to the Company under federal, state, and local law.
Cambridge Systematics is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a culture in which every voice is valued, where employees have a sense of belonging and connection with one another and to the organization, and they feel empowered to do their best work. We are committed to increasing diversity at all levels within the firm and we encourage people of all backgrounds to apply to our open positions.
If you think you have what it takes but aren’t sure you meet all the requirements of this job, we invite you to connect with us. We value all perspectives and life experiences and want to hear about yours.
EOE AA M/F/VET/DISABILITY
Salary: $140k+