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 escalate 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 team culture across offices in the area.
• Support onboarding, training, and development of staff.
• Identify and mentor emerging talent and provide input on performance reviews.

Strategic Support:

• Maintain regular communication with the Regional Lead and office leaders.
• Provide updates on area performance, staffing, and client activity.
• Participate in strategic planning and marketing efforts to promote the firm’s capabilities in the region.

Minimum of 12 years of experience in the engineering industry with a focus on managing projects.

Demonstrated experience in business development and client relationship management.

Established relationships with Northen California transportation agencies and infrastructure owners with an emphasis in the North Bay and Sacramento Valley.

Demonstrated success leading major pursuits for major transportation infrastructure projects.

Credibility as a doer-seller, combining market leadership with project delivery expertise.

Strong track record of successfully leading teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.

Proficiency in project management software and tools.

Excellent problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to project management.

Keen attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field is required.

PE license in California preferred.

Experience with state, regional, and local transportation agencies is required.

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

The typical base salary range for this position is $174,000.00 - $250,000.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.

Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.

Generous paid time off packages.

9 Paid Holidays.

Flexible schedules.

Education reimbursement, paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.

BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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