Description:

A leading global engineering, design and professional services consultancy has retained our services to recruit a Major Projects Leader to lead its rail and major transport business across Southern California. This senior leadership role is strategically critical, focused on winning work, shaping project outcomes, and overseeing major rail and transport programmes across the region.

The successful candidate will be responsible for securing work, developing influential relationships, particularly with LA Metro, steering project delivery, and guiding the successful pursuit and oversight of major rail and transport programs across the Southern Californian region. You will enhance organisational influence and reputation through excellent project outcomes, technology innovation, and by building high-performing teams across the region.

You will work closely with project, design, and business leaders to identify opportunities, support complex project delivery environments, and help shape long-term partnerships across the rail and wider transport sector.

We are seeking someone with proven experience in winning, delivering and managing major rail and transport projects, who understands the complexity, risk, and strategic drivers of large-scale infrastructure programmes. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on major rail programmes in Southern California, including LA Metro and other complex regional transport initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Southern California rail market strategy, delivering the annual business plan and long-term growth priorities.
• Drive revenue growth across the regional transport portfolio, ensuring commercial strength and effective risk management.
• Build and strengthen relationships with public transport agencies and major clients, while developing new strategic partnerships.
• Guide and empower senior leaders, providing clarity, support, and autonomy for strong client and project outcomes.
• Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, learning, and talent development.
• Collaborate with regional business leaders on pipeline evaluation, capture strategies, and major bid pursuits.
• Align resource planning with market needs and support operations leadership on commercial and delivery decisions.
• Implement structured capture management, actively leading high-value opportunities.
• Support and challenge client relationship managers to enhance strategic influence, accountability, and impact.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree-qualified, with extensive experience in the rail and transport sector.
• Minimum 15 years’ relevant experience, including project and design management.
• Proven leadership in major Southern California rail programs, particularly LA Metro projects.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Strong knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and regulatory frameworks.
• Values-driven leader demonstrating collaboration, integrity, and inclusive decision-making.
• Creative problem-solver with a record of continuous improvement and sustainable outcomes on complex infrastructure projects.
• Skilled mentor, able to develop teams, share knowledge, and build future capability.
• Professional Engineer qualification is desirable.
• Right to work in the USA is required.

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