Senior Transportation Manager

Job Description

AECOM is seeking an experienced Senior Transportation Manager to join our growing Transportation team in Chicago, Illinois. This leadership role is ideal for an accomplished transportation professional who excels as both a technical design lead and seller/doer, combining exceptional project delivery with a passion for developing client relationships and growing business opportunities throughout Illinois and the Midwest.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership on complex transportation projects while serving as a trusted advisor to clients including IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and other regional agencies. This individual will lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee engineering design, support strategic pursuits, and help expand AECOM's transportation practice through outstanding client service and business development.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Technical Design Lead and Task Lead for major transportation projects involving roadways, highways, bridges, complete streets, and multimodal infrastructure.
• Provide technical oversight throughout project development, ensuring high-quality engineering solutions, innovation, and compliance with applicable agency standards.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams through planning, design, and delivery while fostering collaboration, accountability, and technical excellence.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk to successfully deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Build and strengthen relationships with clients including IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, CDOT, counties, municipalities, and other transportation agencies.
• Function as a seller/doer by identifying new opportunities, supporting client account growth, and contributing to strategic business development initiatives.
• Lead or support proposal development, technical approaches, staffing plans, fee estimates, interviews, and project pursuits.
• Serve as the primary technical resource during project pursuits and presentations, demonstrating AECOM's capabilities and delivering winning solutions.
• Coordinate engineering design activities across roadway, traffic, bridge, drainage, and multimodal disciplines to produce integrated project deliverables.
• Mentor and develop project managers, engineers, and technical staff while promoting a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Represent AECOM within industry organizations and professional associations to strengthen the firm's presence and influence across Illinois and the surrounding region.
• Collaborate with transportation leadership to identify emerging market trends, support strategic growth initiatives, and expand AECOM's transportation portfolio across state and local clients.

This role offers the opportunity to influence some of the region's most significant transportation infrastructure projects while helping shape AECOM's continued growth with key clients throughout Illinois and the Midwest. The ideal candidate is a recognized technical leader with a strong track record of successful project delivery, business development, and long-term client relationship management.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• BA/BS + 8 years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Illinois, or the ability to obtain Illinois licensure through reciprocity within six months of hire.
• 10+ years of experience leading the planning, design, and delivery of complex transportation infrastructure projects, including roadway, highway, bridge, or multimodal improvements.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Technical Design Lead or Task Lead on major transportation projects for clients such as IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, CDOT, or other state and local transportation agencies.
• Proven success as a seller/doer with experience developing client relationships, identifying new opportunities, supporting business development efforts, and contributing to successful proposal pursuits and interviews.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams while overseeing project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and technical deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of Illinois transportation design standards, agency policies, permitting requirements, and project delivery processes, including experience coordinating with public agencies and project stakeholders.
• Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills with a demonstrated ability to develop technical staff, collaborate across disciplines, and build lasting relationships with clients and industry partners.

Additional Information

• This role does not provide Visa Sponsorship.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Compensation: 165000 to 200000 (USD) (YEARLY)