South Carolina Transportation Planning Lead

COLUMBIA, CHARLESTON OR GREENVILLE, SC Neel-Schaffer is seeking a Transportation Planning Lead to lead all aspects of our South Carolina Transportation Planning Group. This position can be based in Columbia, Charleston, or Greenville, SC. Neel-Schaffer is an Engineering News-Record Top 200 Design firm that operates 39 offices across nine states. The firm offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including health care and a matching 401(k) savings plan. The successful candidate for Transportation Planning Lead will provide technical leadership, project oversight, and client-facing expertise for a wide range of transportation planning projects. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional who combines strong technical knowledge with leadership, mentoring, and business development skills. The Transportation Planning Lead will serve as a subject matter expert, guide and mentor project teams, and help grow and advance the firm’s South Carolina transportation planning practice. Responsibilities Lead transportation planning assignments in South Carolina, overseeing work that includes long-range transportation plans, mobility master plans, metropolitan transportation plans, freight plans, safety action plans, active transportation plans, transit plans, corridor studies, public engagement and other transportation planning assignments. Lead project execution, including coordination of tasks, deliverables, schedules, budgets, staffing, risks, and quality review. Lead range of planning tasks, including analysis of existing conditions and needs, community engagement, visioning, financial planning, and plan development. Coordinate with clients, project teams, subconsultants, and practice leadership to support successful delivery. Serve as the primary client contact for metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), departments of transportation (DOTs), transit agencies, counties, municipalities, and regional organizations. Support market growth by identifying opportunities, tracking client needs, and helping position the firm for future work. Contribute to major pursuits, proposals, interviews, and client development efforts. Stay current on industry trends, regulations and emerging technologies. Minimum Qualifications At least 15 years of progressive Transportation Planning experience, including at least 5 years of experience developing and managing staff. Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, geography, public policy, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. AICP or PE strongly preferred. Additional leadership or project management certification is desirable. Ideal candidate will also possess the following Demonstrated success in developing client relationships, winning work, and leading major projects or programs. Established relationships with transportation agencies and public-sector clients in the assigned market preferred. A strong understanding in developing all project management controls, including scope development, proposals, budgeting, scheduling, staff management, and quality assurance and control. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). GIS Experience. Domestic travel may be required, mostly in the South/Southeast US. The frequency of travel is contingent on workload and project demands. Equal Opportunity Employer

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