Planning Project Manager

Help shape how Utah moves and turn big-picture transportation goals into projects that make a difference.

As a Planning Project Manager at the Utah Transit Authority, you will lead a diverse portfolio of complex projects and initiatives that influence the future of public transportation throughout the region. From long-range transit planning and service development to customer experience improvements and regional transportation programs, you will bring people, resources, and ideas together to turn strategic goals into action. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, oversee consultant and contractor work, and guide projects from planning through implementation. Your work will help strengthen transit connections, improve mobility, and support the continued growth of communities across Utah.

As the Planning Project Manager, you will:

• Manage, coordinate, and support development activities for a variety of Utah Transit Authority (UTA) projects and programs. Examples include, but are not limited to, UTA’s Long-Range Transit Plan, Five-Year Service Plan, Annual Service Plan, Triannual Change Day Plans, Customer Experience Action Plan, Planned Service and Disruptions, contracted service, contracted service monitoring, and contracted service operations planning.
• Apply strong technical project management skills and maintain a strong knowledge of transportation, public transit systems, and urban planning.
• Oversee, evaluate, and manage the work of UTA employees as well as consultants and contractors conducting planning studies, and/or help oversee the provision of technical and business support to projects and programs.
• Be responsible for or assist in selecting and supervising consultants and contractors.
• Participate in resolving key policy issues and other strategic problems associated with UTA’s projects and programs.
• Develop and manage program budgets and monitor progress and accountability.
• Coordinate planning project and program development activities with other UTA departments and transportation partners, including MPOs, UDOT, and local communities.

This is an in-person position based in the greater Salt Lake City area; candidates who live outside the area will need to relocate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Engineering, Public or Business Administration, or other related field, or equivalent experience.
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Community of Transportation Professionals (ITE), Professional Transportation Planner (PTP), Professional Engineer (PE) or other professional certification desirable.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 

• Six (6) years of experience managing successful delivery of planning, transit or capital projects using a formal project management life cycle tool, including developing and managing of scope, schedule, and budget. A Master’s degree in a related field or professional project management related certification can equate to two (2) years of related experience.

• Experience in transit planning or a related planning field, leading project teams with at least four (4) project team members and dealing with clients both internal and external project stakeholders.
• Project management experience related to planning or transit projects preferred, but not required.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Microsoft, Asana, and/or Procore project management software preferred. Adobe CS preferred.
• Expert in facilitating and fostering teamwork, Conflict resolution, Excellent written & verbal communications
• Continuous improvement
• Critical thinking; analytical and problem-solving expertise
• Project integration management; project planning
• Stakeholder management; customer and quality focused
• Requirements analysis
• Resource management
• Resilience

Abilities:

• Multi-task and prioritize activities for projects of all sizes and levels of complexity; coordinate cross functional work.
• Collaborate and function in a large team environment

UTA Competencies:

• Business Acumen: Maintaining an up-to-date understanding of the broader issues affecting field of expertise and organization.
• Managerial Courage: Standing strong in the face of adversity and taking necessary risk to achieve results.
• Change Management: Dealing comfortably with the uncertainty of change. Dealing constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.
• Communicates Effectively: Creating an open environment in which thoughts are expressed freely and information flows easily.
• Decision Making: Making sound decisions that consider multiple options, seeking input from others; reaching good decisions in a timely manner.
• Drives Results: Fostering a strong bottom-line orientation; accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks; exceeding goals successfully; pushing self and others to achieve results.

- OR -

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

[UTA reserves the right to determine the equivalencies of education and experience.]

Pay Range: $92,700.00 or more, depending on experience

If interested, apply before: Friday, November 20th, 2026 @ 11:59 PM MST

As a full-time Administrative Employee, your Total Rewards Benefits Package will include:

• Health, dental, vision, life/AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance, with Flexible Spending and Dependent Care accounts. Choice between Traditional Co-Pay or High Deductible Health Plans for medical coverage. HSA with company match available to employees enrolled in the HDHP. Benefit plans include coverage for domestic partners (eligibility affidavit required for coverage).
• Onsite Health and Wellness Clinics for medical care at no cost to employees, spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children.
• 22 days of accrued paid time off (13 vacation days and 9 sick days), which increases with tenure at UTA.
• 10 paid holidays and two paid (2) floating holidays per year.
• Retirement options - Pension Plan with 5-year vesting schedule and 457 Contribution Plan, available for immediate contributions and company matching.
• Generous tuition reimbursement for higher education, available for any higher education degree (bachelor, master, or PHD). Course of study must be approved prior to enrollment.
• Training, development, and career advancement opportunities.
• Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and child placement (after 12 months of employment).
• Free transit passes for employees, their spouses, and their dependent children.
• Employee assistance program – includes counseling, legal services, financial planning, etc.
• UTA Well – a comprehensive wellness program designed to support employees and dependents in their health and wellness goals.
• Free on-site fitness facilities and discounted membership to VASA Fitness and EoS Fitness.
• Discounted cell phone plans with T-Mobile and AT&T.
• Pet insurance plan options (tailored plan coverage based on pet’s health and needs).

PM21

Utah Transit Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer of all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, covered veterans, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants needing an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act for any part of the application process should contact UTA Human Resources at 801-287-2324. A minimum of two work days' notice prior to the need for the accommodation is required.

Utah Transit Authority is a drug-free workplace, subject to federal drug and alcohol testing regulations under 49 CFR Part 40, 655, and 219. All offers for employment are contingent upon a successful pre-employment drug test. If a pre-employment test returns a non-negative result, an application for employment may be rejected. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident testing for drug and alcohol use. All safety sensitive employees are subject to random testing for drug and alcohol use.