Job Details

HDR is an employee-owned company focused on creating an inclusive environment where every individual is valued and respected, empowered to bring their authentic selves and new ideas to work. We continuously consider our impact on the world as we collaborate with communities and clients.

HDR is currently in need of a Transportation Area Program Manager for San Diego in our San Diego office. This role leads a large and dynamic transportation team, with the primary expectation to lead the San Diego Client Development Team, provide leadership to the entire San Diego office transportation team, ensure a strong team culture and profitable organization, and guide recruiting top industry talent.

Primary Responsibilities

To achieve success, the San Diego APM will work directly with the Transpo business group leadership to develop relationships with target clients and pursue new projects in San Diego. The pursuit of new work will be conducted in collaboration with local market sector leaders, cross-sector leaders, and national experts as required. This role oversees and directs the activities of the San Diego Client Development team to create and implement marketing strategies, recruiting strategies, and business strategies. It drives and leads key pursuits with our internal marketing team to create and implement a pre-positioning strategy and follow-up through the proposal and interview. It may also involve coordinating with political advocates to support project success, pursuing information gathering meetings with clients, forming teaming arrangements with partners and small businesses, and assembling the best HDR team locally and companywide.

This position is responsible for working with the San Diego business class and cross-sector leaders to retain staff through recognition, career growth opportunities, and a culture of listening turned into action. This includes identifying and mentoring future leaders. The San Diego APM will, on behalf of the TBG Leader, be involved in work planning and ensuring staff is utilized and projects are properly staffed to avoid long-term workload or risks to project delivery. The role could include managing various cross-sectors in support of the TBG Leader.

A strong understanding of the environmental, planning, engineering design, program management, and construction management business is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years of program management, office management, or related experience is preferred.
• Work experience and strong relationships in the San Diego area is strongly preferred.
• Local candidates are preferred.
• Experience involvement in ACEC, WTS, or a similar organization with industry leaders and client interaction.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Planning, Sciences, Business Administration, or a closely related field
• Program management experience aligned with one of the following paths:
  • A minimum of three (3) years of program management experience in a deputy role to the Program Manager for the delivery of one or more programs with a cumulative capital value of $200 million or more; or
  • A minimum of five (5) years of program management experience as a Project Manager or Project Controls Manager for the delivery of one or more programs with a capital value of $200 million or more; or
  • A minimum of ten (10) years of project management experience as a Project Manager directing a multi-disciplinary team for the delivery of at least two projects, each with a capital value of $50 million or more
• Strong leadership skills with experience building a cohesive team culture and managing team members in various locations
• Excellent communication skills, comfortable presenting to client executives and in public settings
• Experience managing projects or programs using alternative and collaborative delivery methods, including design-build (DB), progressive design-build (PDB), and/or construction management at-risk (CMAR)
• Familiar with tools used to manage large programs – PMIS, CMIS, scheduling, cost control, document management, risk management, asset management, and dashboard analytics
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's 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) create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Location and Schedule

Primary Location: San Diego, California

Industry: Transit

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Job Posting: Sep 3, 2025

Note: HDR is committed to employment equity and is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great things possible. We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges and are always looking for great talent to join our global teams.