Business Manager

A business manager in transportation engineering handles the contractual and financial aspects of projects, ensuring compliance, managing client relationships, and driving firm profitability. This role requires a strong understanding of both business principles and engineering practices. Key roles and responsibilitiesContract negotiation and administrationNegotiating agreements: Business managers negotiate complex contracts with clients, which can include state DOTs, municipalities, and federal agencies. This requires a deep understanding of what is important to both parties to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.Risk allocation: They negotiate key contract clauses to protect the engineering firm from risks by establishing a financial firewall and a clear limitation of liability.Procurement and subcontracts: The manager oversees procurement and subcontracting activities, coordinating with partners and vendors.Change management: They are responsible for a structured change-order routine, identifying changes, assessing impacts on budget and schedule, and getting written authorization before new work begins.Compliance: They ensure all projects and contracts comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Financial and project oversightBudgeting and forecasting: They prepare and manage project budgets, performing cost analysis and financial reporting to maintain profitability.Performance tracking: Using robust tracking systems, they monitor project performance against budget and schedule, flagging issues before they become costly.Billing and invoices: They oversee financial transactions, including the processing of consultant invoices and ensuring prompt payment. Team leadership and managementStaff supervision: They supervise and coach professional and support staff, often including project engineers and support teams.Evaluation and training: Responsibilities include conducting performance evaluations and mentoring staff to help them develop their technical and professional skills.Strategic initiatives: They collaborate with other managers to establish company goals and strategic initiatives for long-term growth and operational efficiency. Career path and qualificationsEducational background: A bachelor's degree in civil or transportation engineering or related field. Degrees in business, accounting or other relevant field will be considered. Professional experience: Candidates need significant experience, with most positions requiring 8 to 12 years of industry and project management experience.Key skills: Essential skills include strong negotiation, analytical thinking, leadership, and communication skills to effectively interact with clients, contractors, and internal teams.Certifications: Certifications such as a Project Management Professional (PMP) can be highly beneficial.