Senior Manager – Project Programming and Delivery

About Houston-Galveston Area Council   

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day.

We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

What will I be doing? 

The Senior Manager – Programming and Project Delivery provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) transportation programming and project delivery functions. This position manages multiple teams through subordinate managers and is responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of the region’s federally and state-required transportation programming activities while advancing the successful delivery of transportation projects throughout the Houston-Galveston region.

The Senior Manager oversees development of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), the Texas 10-Year Transportation Plan, project programming activities, project readiness assessments, project tracking, and project delivery support. The position works closely with local governments, TxDOT, transit agencies, and regional partners to ensure transportation projects advance efficiently from planning through implementation while maintaining compliance with applicable federal and state requirements.

This position serves as a senior technical advisor to executive leadership on transportation programming, project delivery, federal and state funding requirements, and implementation strategies.

• Fosters strong collaboration between the Transportation Programming and Project Delivery teams to ensure seamless coordination of Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) development, project readiness, project tracking, and implementation activities. Establishes consistent processes, shares information across teams, and aligns priorities to improve project delivery outcomes and provide coordinated support to project sponsors and regional partners.
• Ensures transportation programming activities are consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan, funding availability, and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Provides oversight and guidance to staff managing regional project tracking systems,  monitoring processes to support timely project delivery, providing project readiness reviews, and assisting local governments and project sponsors in advancing projects through project development and delivery.
• Strong understanding of federal transportation funding programs and eligibility, project programming processes, project development, and transportation project delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and develop managers and multidisciplinary professional staff.
• Identifies opportunities to improve transportation programming processes, project delivery performance, and organizational effectiveness.
• Recommends process improvements, policy enhancements, and innovative practices that increase project delivery efficiency and funding utilization.

Do you have…  

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Engineering, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible transportation planning experience, including experience managing complex planning programs.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  Experience working for a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
  Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience working with FHWA, FTA, TxDOT, local governments, transit agencies, and/or regional transportation partners.
• Experience developing and administering Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs), Transportation Improvement Program amendments, transportation funding programs, and project delivery initiatives.
• At least four (4) years of supervisory experience leading professional planning staff, including experience supervising managers or equivalent leadership responsibility.
• Extensive knowledge of metropolitan transportation planning regulations and processes.

Salary Range: $120,000-150,000