Job Description

Overview

HDR is an employee-owned, inclusive company that values every individuals authentic self and ideas. Watch Our Story: Each role makes a difference in HDRs ability to change the world for the better.

Highways & Roads Market Sector Director Primary responsibilities, leadership and client development within HDRs Transportation practice, the largest market sector representing nearly $1B in annual revenue. The Highway & Roads (H&R) market sector includes clients that own or operate highways, toll roads, city/town/local roads, and bridge structures. Primary services include bridge and highway design, traffic engineering, transportation planning and tolling services.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities are divided into three areas:

• Market leadership and business development (approximately 70%)
• Staff development (approximately 20%)
• Support to Operations (approximately 10%)

The Market Sector Director sets HDRs strategy for the market sector, collaborates with region and area leadership to implement growth initiatives and staff development, and helps achieve annual market sector goals. The role maintains relationships with state DOTs, towns, counties and cities, and supports expansion to Canada, the UK, parts of the Middle East and Australia. HDRs H&R professionals deliver bridge/highway design, traffic and transportation planning, construction management, and related HDR services across advisory, environmental, strategic communications, facilities and more. The Market Sector Director also leads initiatives to engage employees, reinforce HDRs brand, and coordinate best practices across markets.

Business Development Responsibilities

• Oversee the creation and implementation of the strategic vision and direction for the market sector, aligning technical and professional services with business group and operations leadership.
• Serve as Client Manager for selected key clients within the market sector.
• Engage in selected projects as Principal-In-Charge.
• Promote the marketing and delivery of HDR services to clients within the market sector, collaborating with client managers.
• Participate as a member of the Transportation Business Group Management Team.
• Work with Regional Business Group Directors on area goals and market sector initiatives.
• Collaborate with client managers and business development leaders to drive client development and pursuit processes using proven capture techniques.
• Support selected area and strategic pursuits through client relationship development and pursuit activities.
• Participate in industry associations at a leadership level and serve as a company role-model in business and community organizations.
• Identify key investments (acquisitions and technology) to maintain HDRs leadership position.
• Monitor marketing capabilities and coordinate with other departments to achieve goals.
• Develop relationships with industry counterparts in other consulting organizations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with senior leadership in key client organizations.
• Lead strategic partnerships with other firms to share HDRs culture, technical expertise, client relationships and geographic presence; explore acquisition opportunities as part of HDRs growth strategy.
• Lead HDRs presence and representation with industry organizations in the US, Canada, EMEA and APAC with organizations like AASHTO, WASHTO, MASTO, NASTO, SASHTO, IBTTA and others.

Staff Development Responsibilities

• Lead an organization that supports a strong market presence, wins new work, and provides growth opportunities for staff; assist area leadership with identifying and recruiting future market sector employees.
• Assume responsibility for Global Market Sector P&L in coordination with local area managers and coordinate work-sharing among departments.
• Drive technical excellence and coordinate staff to support project delivery and marketing efforts.
• Coordinate staffing and recruiting plans for key hires and assist local leadership with local hires; approve all key/strategic hires in the market sector.
• Participate in Annual Performance Conversations for key market sector leaders.

Support to Operations

• Assist Regional Business Group Directors and area Business Group managers in delivering professional services for area projects; drive client management, monitor and manage market sector profit and loss, review staff assignments, encourage work-sharing, ensure project delivery and support QA/QC programs.
• Monitor market sector performance indicators (profit, unbilled revenue, AR, losses, investments) and manage staff workload and work-sharing.
• Assist with contract reviews on key projects to manage risk, staffing, quality and claims resolution.
• Promote Quality Assurance/Quality Control; share key technical expertise to support marketing and project activities.
• Facilitate the development and dissemination of lessons learned.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years of experience in planning/engineering in highway design or bridge design
• Professional engineering license or equivalent
• Current or past leadership positions within highway/road industry associations including AASHTO, IBTTA and other similar organizations across the globe

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering or closely related field
• A minimum of 12 years of industry experience including leadership
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong skills in client management, client development and a documented history of growing/leading a practice
• Strong business skills; specifically handling budgets, staff and operational issues
• Strong ability to analyze the marketplace and strategically position HDR
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each others life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) are open to all employees and have executive sponsors to foster a sense of belonging and engagement.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance and success, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. Compensation ranges vary by location. Example ranges include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Washington DC, and Washington State.

Primary Location: United States-Nebraska-Omaha

Other Locations: United States (multiple locations listed in posting)

Industry: Highway + Road

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Highways

Job Posting: Aug 11, 2025

HDR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

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