Project Management & Commercial Leader - Transportation Practice presso CDM Smith

Are you a proven Senior Project Manager ready to take the next big step in your career? The Transportation Project Management & Commercial Leader (PMCL) role within our Transportation North Group (TNG) offers the opportunity to move beyond project management and become a key player in the overall success of our transportation practice.

In this role, you will:
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of project managers, building capability and setting the standard for excellence.
• Drive successful project outcomes for clients across complex, large-scale transportation and transit projects.
• Strengthen client relationships by serving as a trusted advisor and ensuring top-tier service delivery.
• Influence business performance, playing a direct role in maximizing long-term profitability and growth.

This is more than project management—it’s your chance to step into strategic leadership, with visibility across the practice and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on CDM Smith’s success within TNG.

If you’re seeking a challenge that combines greater responsibility, career advancement, and the ability to shape the future of transportation delivery, the PMCL role is the platform to elevate your career.

**We are open to filling this position with a candidate being tied to our Chicago IL or Indianapolis IN offices.**

Primary responsibilities for this role include:
• Supervising a team of Senior Project Managers in the day-to-day operation of transportation projects including: project delivery performance, pricing strategies, risk management, forecasting and budgeting, and performance reporting. This PMCL’s portfolio of projects would include work across various states, including potential work with various DOTs, municipal agencies, toll agencies and transit organizations.
• Providing interpretation of monthly performance figures to support the overall business unit management and to the project managers to resolve project issues and improve project performance.
• Directing and supervising project management staff to provide coaching on timely, effective, and efficient performance of project managers’ responsibilities.
• Driving consistent project management practices and procedures in alignment with CDM Smith PM requirements and those of the group.
• Managing transportation design projects to potentially include DOT, turnpike, large municipality, county, and transit agency clients.
• Supporting, inspiring, elevating and rewarding team members.

TNG

Regular

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Transportation, or Structural Engineering or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 12 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Recent experience managing transportation road, highway, bridge and/or transit design projects, ideally for various clients within the northeast/northcentral regions.
• Strong Project Management experience including: the development of scope, schedule, and budget, and the subsequent monitoring of cost and schedule.
• Previous experience managing a team of Project Managers.
• Business development skills and experience such as client service and proposal preparation.
• Leadership skills to drive a culture that emphasizes profitability, quality deliverables, and legendary client service.
• Current PM certification (either PMP, CCM or DBIA), or the ability to acquire said certification within 12 months of hire.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Illinois - Chicago

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Recruitment Center Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Recruiting Center Team (RCT) will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.

10%

Fulltime-Regular

No - We will not support sponsorship, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

$125,549

$219,710

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Hybrid Work Options may be considered for successful candidate.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.