Rail & Transit Client Leader

Virginia / DMV Region

The Opportunity

A leading national engineering consultancy is looking to appoint a senior Rail & Transit Client Leader to support the continued growth of its transportation practice across Virginia and the wider DMV region.

This is a senior, client-facing leadership position for someone with strong experience delivering rail and transit infrastructure projects and established relationships within the regional market.

The successful individual will work across major public transportation clients and programs, helping strengthen existing relationships, identify and secure new opportunities, and provide senior leadership across multidisciplinary project teams.

The role will retain involvement in strategic project delivery, but the primary focus will be on client development, market growth and leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop relationships with major rail and transit clients across Virginia and the DMV region.
• Identify, pursue and secure new consulting and engineering opportunities.
• Develop account strategies for key transportation agencies and infrastructure owners.
• Support capture planning, proposals, presentations and major pursuits.
• Maintain senior-level involvement across key projects and programs.
• Work closely with Project Managers, technical leaders and regional management to ensure successful project delivery.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across rail, transit, civil, structural and facilities disciplines.
• Support the growth and development of the regional rail and transit practice.
• Represent the business within industry organisations, client meetings and regional transportation events.
• Provide mentorship and leadership to project and technical teams.

Project Exposure

The position will support projects across areas including:

• Passenger rail and transit
• Rail stations and transit facilities
• Maintenance and operations facilities
• Rail yards
• Track and associated civil infrastructure
• Multidisciplinary rail design
• Program and project management
• Infrastructure upgrades and rehabilitation
• Planning, design and construction-phase support

The team is active with major transportation agencies and infrastructure owners across the region, including organisations such as VRE, WMATA, VPRA, DRPT and Amtrak.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Significant experience within the rail, transit or transportation engineering market.
• A strong background in engineering consulting, design or program/project management.
• Experience delivering projects for public transportation agencies.
• Established relationships within Virginia and/or the wider DMV transportation market.
• Demonstrated experience managing senior client relationships.
• Experience supporting business development, pursuits, proposals or account growth.
• The ability to combine commercial leadership with an understanding of technical project delivery.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex transportation projects.

Candidates currently operating as a Senior Project Manager, Program Manager, Project Director, Client Manager, Practice Leader, Rail/Transit Leader or similar senior position would be particularly relevant.

Why Consider the Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role within an established national transportation consultancy.

The successful individual will inherit an existing regional presence and technical delivery capability rather than being expected to build a practice from scratch.

The role provides the opportunity to:

• Shape the growth strategy for the rail and transit market.
• Work directly with major transportation agencies across the region.
• Lead key client relationships.
• Influence major pursuits and project strategy.
• Remain connected to project delivery while moving further into client and business leadership.
• Build toward broader regional and practice leadership responsibilities.

Location

Virginia / Washington DC Metro Area

The position will require regular interaction with clients and project teams throughout Virginia and the wider DMV region.