Technical Director, Project Management Job at WSP in the U.S. in Oakland

Vice President, Civil Engineering Transportation Project Manager

This opportunity is available for a highly motivated and experienced professional to join WSP’s growing California Regional Transportation team. With more than 70 years in the California transportation market, WSP delivers impactful programs through teamwork, innovation, and a commitment to our communities. You will have the chance to solve complex problems, challenge the status quo and shape the future of regional mobility.

Job Description

WSP seeks an experienced Vice President, Civil Engineering Transportation Project Manager (PID, PA&ED and PS&E Delivery) to support our team across Northern California, focusing on Caltrans and local agency roadway and civil engineering projects. This full‑time position may be based in San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento offices. The Project Manager will lead and manage projects from initiation through closeout, ensuring successful delivery in alignment with WSP’s core values, quality standards and contractual commitments. Responsibilities include managing scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality and safety while maintaining strong communication with clients, sub‑consultants and internal teams. You will support growth of the practice by building client relationships, identifying new opportunities, and contributing to pursuit strategies and business development.

Your Impact

People & Performance Leadership

• Provide project leadership, partnering closely with the Local Business Leader and Senior Management Team.
• Contribute to overall growth and success of the California Region by supporting key performance indicators related to safety, quality, financial performance, and client satisfaction.
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing team environment that supports staff development, mentoring and succession planning.

Business Development

• Support clients and the industry through innovative thought and advancement of transformative transportation projects.
• Collaborate across Northern and Southern California offices and with National Business Line experts to provide clients with innovative and future‑focused solutions.
• Support transportation business development efforts, including market strategy development, client engagement and pursuit planning.
• Cultivate client relationships to identify new opportunities and support procurement of contracts with transportation clients, including Caltrans and local agencies.
• Develop strategic teaming alliances and partnerships to position WSP for new opportunities.
• Represent WSP in the transportation market through active participation in client and industry events and professional associations.
• Lead or support pursuits, including capture planning, proposal development and interview execution.

Project/Program Management

• Lead the delivery of transportation projects for Caltrans and other local agencies in Northern California as an active member of the transportation team.
• Manage the delivery of PID, PA&ED and PS&E projects across the full project lifecycle. Serve as Contract Manager, Project Manager, Senior Lead or other key leadership roles as appropriate based on project needs.
• Plan and execute projects, including defining scope of work, developing schedules and preparing fee proposals.
• Participate in contract negotiations and support contract administration activities.
• Provide overall project management oversight to ensure strong financial performance and adherence to project management, quality control and risk management requirements, delivering projects on time, within budget, and to client satisfaction.
• Guide and support staff in project management best practices, ensuring consistency with WSP standards and client expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Active California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant post‑education experience in civil engineering and highway design.
• Minimum of 10 years delivering Caltrans related projects.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management.
• Advanced proficiency with Caltrans Design Development process, highway design and construction practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow highway design and transportation practice.
• Strong management and leadership skills with experience leading mid‑level to senior‑level staff and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Proven ability to deliver projects on time, on budget, to client satisfaction with adherence to quality and risk management requirements.
• Strong and established client relationships and industry contacts in Northern California.
• Advanced proficiency with analytical and organizational skills and business acumen to bridge the business and project management.
• Advanced proficiency with critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to assess and calculate project management principles, with a sound understanding of intent, impact and optimal outcomes.
• Advanced proficiency with interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively, persuasively and tactfully with leadership, subcontractors and employees at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking and adapting readily to changing prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to mid‑level to senior‑level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Advanced proficiency with technical writing, office automation, relevant software, MS Office suite, technology, spreadsheets and PM tools.
• Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline‑specific project deliverables, processes and plans in a multi‑project environment.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, subcontractors, consultants and company‑wide staff.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet project‑specific needs.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, retirement savings, paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid parental leave and paid time off for bereavement, voting and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $191,340 - $285,200. WSP reserves the right to offer additional benefits and compensation based on circumstances unrelated to protected characteristics.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we partner with clients to design lasting solutions in the building, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With over 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we strengthen our partners with Northern California transportation agencies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice to Third Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes become property of WSP and may be hired without fee or compensation to the recruiter.