Transportation Planning Manager

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Transportation Planning Manager | Charlotte, NC

VHB’s Charlotte office is seeking a strategic, experienced, and dynamic Transportation Planning Manager to lead and grow our Transportation Planning Group.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of mobility in Charlotte and beyond, within a collaborative and entrepreneurial team environment committed to improving communities through smart, sustainable, and people-centered transportation solutions.

Learn more about Life at VHB Charlotte!

Responsibilities

• Serve as the strategic leader for the Transportation Planning group in Charlotte, with responsibility for business development, client management, and project execution.
• Play a key role in the growth of the VHB transportation planning practice in the Charlotte area and develop new business development initiatives.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team of engineers and planners, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Cultivate and grow relationships with regional/local governments (e.g., Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT), Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)/Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA), NCDOT, SCDOT, and private developers, aligning service offerings with client needs.
• Lead complex transportation planning projects, including multi-modal urban transportation projects, transit feasibility studies, neighborhood transportation studies involving transit, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, as well as stakeholder and public participation strategy development and implementation.
• Guide technical teams in delivering high-quality work on-time and within budget, providing expert-level QA/QC across a broad portfolio of traffic engineering work.
• Manage project finances and contract requirements.
• Take an active role in business development, including the identification of pursuits, pre-positioning, lead proposal development, pricing strategies, and other pursuit activities to secure new work and maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities.
• Represent VHB at conferences, seminars, and industry organizations and events.

Skills & Knowledge

• Deep knowledge of Charlotte region processes and policies, including CDOT, CRTPO, CATS/MPTA, NCDOT, SCDOT, and other municipal processes.
• Advanced proficiency in multimodal transportation planning, safety, traffic impact studies, and transit planning.
• Proven leadership in developing and executing business development strategies within the transportation engineering and planning markets.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage clients, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to oversee multidisciplinary teams and manage complex project portfolios.
• Up-to-date understanding of federal, state, and local regulations.
• Strong client relationship management expertise.
• Active in regional industry organizations.
• Public outreach and community presentations experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Civil Engineering or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 11-15+ years of progressive experience in transportation planning, transportation/traffic engineering or related field.
• AICP or Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
• Demonstrated success in business development, including winning work with municipalities, DOTs, and private-sector clients.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regionally as needed.
• Strong portfolio of projects in transportation planning, corridor studies, safety, transit planning, etc.

The full-time annual base salary range for this position, located in Charlotte, NC, is $125,000 to $155,000 with planning background, or $150,000 - $180,000 with a civil engineering background. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program. 

Annual base salary is one component of VHB’s Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs. 

Details on VHB’s benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist  

Building what’s next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, people‑driven, future‑ready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you’ll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We’re growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what’s next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.  

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

#LI-KW1

#LI-Hybrid