The role
Transit Market Sector Leader, TANS Region, Southeast U.S.
Locations: Raleigh, NC | Charlotte, NC | Greenville, SC | Columbia, SC| Franklin, TN| | Birmingham, AL
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world.
AECOM's Transportation business is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to establish and grow our Transit Market Sector across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. This strategic leadership position will be responsible for driving market growth, building client relationships, developing a high-performing transit practice, and delivering transformative transit investments throughout the Southeast.
This individual will serve as AECOM's regional transit champion, leading pursuit and delivery efforts for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), commuter rail, passenger rail, transit-oriented development (TOD), multimodal mobility programs, station and facilities design, and major transit capital investments.
The successful candidate will combine deep transit industry expertise with proven business development success, strong executive presence, and the ability to build and lead multidisciplinary teams across a growing geographic region.
Responsibilities:
Market Leadership
- Develop and execute AECOM's Southeast Transit Market growth strategy across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama.
- Serve as the principal client relationship manager for transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transportation authorities, municipalities, and state transportation departments.
- Position AECOM as a trusted advisor for emerging and established transit programs throughout the region.
- Monitor market trends, funding opportunities, legislative initiatives, and capital investment programs to identify growth opportunities.
- Represent AECOM at industry conferences, board meetings, transit associations, and professional organizations.
Business Development & Capture Management
- Lead strategic pursuits, capture planning, proposal development, interviews, and contract negotiations.
- Establish and expand relationships with key agencies including: Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) GoTriangle GoRaleigh Greenville Transit Authority The COMET Nashville MTA/WeGo Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Knoxville Area Transit Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX) Regional MPOs and State DOTs
- Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of transit planning, design, environmental, program management, and construction management opportunities.
- Partner with Transportation, Buildings + Places, Environment, Program Management, and Construction Management business lines to deliver integrated solutions.
Practice Building
- Build, lead, and grow a Southeast Transit Practice capable of delivering major transit programs throughout the region.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop transit planners, transportation engineers, rail specialists, urban designers, environmental professionals, project managers, and construction managers.
- Establish staffing plans and long-term workforce strategies to support market growth.
- Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team environment focused on technical excellence and client service.
- Develop succession planning and leadership development initiatives for future transit leaders.
Project Delivery Leadership
Serve as Executive Sponsor, Principal-in-Charge, Program Director, or Senior Project Manager for major projects including:
- Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
- Light Rail Transit (LRT)
- Commuter Rail
- Passenger Rail
- Multimodal Corridor Studies
- Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
- Transit Station Design
- Mobility Hubs
- Complete Streets Programs
- Transit Infrastructure and Facilities
- Capital Improvement Programs
- Federal Transit Administration (FTA)-funded projects
Responsibilities include:
- Executive oversight of project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk.
- Leadership of multidisciplinary teams across planning, engineering, environmental, architecture, urban design, and program management disciplines.
- Delivery of projects that achieve client objectives and exceed performance expectations.
- Implementation of AECOM quality management and project delivery procedures.
Strategic Growth Objectives
The Transit Market Sector Leader will be expected to:
- Establish AECOM as a recognized transit leader throughout the Southeast.
- Grow annual transit revenues and backlog within the region.
- Expand AECOM's role on major transit planning and capital investment programs.
- Build a sustainable team with expertise spanning planning, environmental clearance, design, program management, and construction support.
- Increase AECOM's participation in Federal Transit Administration-funded initiatives.
- Strengthen partnerships with local agencies, municipalities, and transportation stakeholders.
Minimum:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Planning, Transportation, Public Administration, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or related field.
- 10 years of progressive experience in transit planning, design, engineering, program management, or major transportation infrastructure or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education, including 2 years of leadership.
- Demonstrated experience winning and successfully delivering transit projects.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex transportation programs.
- Experience demonstrating strong communication, negotiation, presentation, and executive leadership skills
Preferred:
- Professional Engineer (PE), AICP, PMP, RLA, or equivalent professional credential.
- Existing relationships with transit agencies, municipalities, MPOs, or transportation organizations within the Southeast.
- Experience with FTA Capital Investment Grant (CIG) programs, Small Starts, New Starts, TIGER/RAISE, and other federal funding mechanisms.
- Experience supporting major transit corridor development and implementation programs.
- Experience and track record growing a market sector, business line, or regional practice.
- Experience serving as Principal-in-Charge or Program Director for transit projects exceeding $50M in capital value.
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to build and lead AECOM's transit presence across one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. The Southeast is investing heavily in transit expansion, BRT systems, passenger rail, multimodal mobility, and transit-oriented development. The Transit Market Sector Leader will play a pivotal role in shaping how communities move, connect, and grow while building a lasting transit practice that positions AECOM for long-term success.
Locations: Raleigh, NC
- Relocation is an option for this position
- Sponsorship may be available for current visa holders in the United States
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.