Transportation Market Leader

ESA is seeking a strategic Transportation Market Leader to join our firm as one of the most senior positions, leading company-wide strategic business development for one of ESA’s designated markets. The ideal role shall provide strategic leadership for the market, developing and executing an annual market growth plan, driving firmwide business development and contract acquisition activities, and identifying and supporting key client service managers. This role requires the ability to foster a high level of cross-functional collaboration across ESA. The Transportation Market Leader reports to ESA’s executive management team and collaborates with Practice Leaders (technical service leads), Regional Directors (regional operations) and Business Group Directors, among others in driving firmwide client relationship management, business development and project acquisition activities within the market across ESA practices and regions and works closely with ESA’s Corporate Marketing Director and Strategic Marketing Manager to implement appropriate marketing efforts. This position is based out of any of our ESA's regions (Northern CA, Southern CA, Pacific Northwest, and/or Southeast)and working a hybrid schedule with occasional office visits.

The Transportation Market Leader will lead strategic growth planning for the transportation market and drive business development executives to achieve growth in this market across ESA. The role builds on our established client relationships and market position by leveraging market knowledge, industry insight, and business acumen. The Transportation Market Leader will work collaboratively with, but with limited direction from, the executive management team. This role has a high level of client engagement; responsible for client stewardship, cultivating new clients to increase market share through various market-wide strategic business development and marketing activities. Market Leaders provide input to the executive team on potential M&A strategies and/or opportunities where appropriate to advance market growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical & Professional Expertise
  • Provides high level leadership and visibility, representing the firm with clients, especially in the Transportation market.
  • May serve as a Project Director and/or senior technical advisor on the most complex, unique, and/or large projects and/or for key clients within the market.
  • When necessary, oversees or directs project-related work for major, highly complex projects and programs.
  • Communicates effectively on complex issues and/or high visibility projects to clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders and the general public, and at professional gatherings.
  • Actively participates in regional and national professional associations, conferences, and networking activities to identify and cultivate new clients, markets, and/or M&A opportunities.

Market Intelligence and Strategic Market Growth Planning

• • Proactively positions ESA to adapt to market driver trends, including emerging technologies, funding sources, and policy/regulation related to the transportation market.
  • Works with executive leadership to establish and ensure the market area meets identified financial and growth targets.
  • Leverages market knowledge, industry insight, and business acumen to prepare and drive execution of the annual Transportation Market Growth plan to achieve the long-term vision for the market, including identifying, acquiring and managing relationships with key clients.
  • Demonstrates a high degree of creativity, judgment, and foresight in identifying and communicating market trends.
  • Participates in firmwide leadership to identify, develop and ensure implementation of key strategic initiatives to grow the market with cross-regional and cross-practice coordination.

Client Relationship Development and Key Client Management

• • Maintains and grows extensive professional network including decision-makers at client organizations.
  • Responsible for strategic client management and development by identifying and supporting key client managers; ensuring the expansion of the portfolio across regions.
  • Leads the identification of strategic pursuits to leverage ESA’s full array of capabilities and the development of major firmwide or strategic contract or project acquisition efforts.
  • Leads, as well as supports, the establishment of strategic partnerships, particularly national partnerships.
  • Regularly travels to all ESA regions in support of key initiatives, business development and market wide coordination.

Staff Development – Career, Skills and Business Development

• Takes initiative to provide mentoring and coaching to foster best practices and increase staff exposure and engagement across the transportation market.
• Coordinates with Regional Directors and Practice Leaders regarding strategic hiring, and the professional development and retention of key employees within the market.
• Coordinates with Regional Directors and Practice Leaders on the expansion of the market’s portfolio, including service offerings and market diversification.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 15+ years of related experience in designated practice, with emphasis on business and team building, client relationships, business development, and market growth.
• 10+ years of experience targeting, procuring, and retaining new clients within their Transportation market.
• Demonstrated Client relationships and project portfolio with depth of experience specific to California.
• Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in practice-related field.
• Exceptional leadership skills with a demonstrated record of business success and growth.
• Demonstrated experience as a practitioner with successful client service and project delivery experience.
• Expert knowledge of and expertise in advanced processes and principles for area(s) of practice-related expertise.
• Recognized technical expert in area of expertise, recognized as a strategic thinker and leader.
• Strong management skills and ability to direct and review detailed tasks and projects.
• Exceptional writing, oral and presentation skills, effective, active listener, and able to speak confidently and persuasively on a variety of complex topics