Mackenzie Eason & Associates has been retained by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) to recruit their next Chief Transportation Officer/Senior Director of Transportation.  Reporting to the Executive Director and working with the Transportation Policy Council (TPC), the new Senior Director will lead, develop the vision and long-term plan, and work with the TPC and staff to effectively lead transportation policy and capital projects in the region.   The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) presents a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced and visionary leader to serve as the Chief Transportation Officer/Senior Director of Transportation. As the leader of one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), you will have the chance to shape the future of transportation for over 7 million residents across an expansive and diverse region. This role requires a strategic thinker, a collaborative leader, and an innovator who can address the region’s unique transportation challenges and opportunities. About the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) H-GAC serves a 12,500-square-mile region, encompassing 13 counties and over 7 million residents. The organization operates as a voluntary planning and problem-solving forum for local governments. It manages regional programs focused on transportation, workforce development, community and environmental planning, disaster recovery, and more. The MPO housed within H-GAC oversees the planning and programming of billions of dollars in transportation investments annually. This includes managing the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), and working closely with stakeholders such as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), local transit agencies, and the Transportation Policy Council (TPC). The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to address regional issues and promote cooperation among its members. H-GAC focuses on areas such as transportation, air quality, economic development, workforce development, emergency preparedness, and environmental planning. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) within H-GAC As the federally designated MPO for the eight-county Houston-Galveston metropolitan region, H-GAC is responsible for regional transportation planning. The MPO's primary functions include developing the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), a long-range blueprint for transportation investments, and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a short-term plan detailing projects approved for federal funding over the next four years. In addition to thousands of miles of roadways, we are home to some of nation’s largest and most active ports, massive petrochemical facilities, substantial rail networks, major airports, and an extensive maritime shipping network. Our eight counties include: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Transportation Policy Council (TPC) The TPC serves as the policy-making body for the MPO, providing guidance and approval for regional transportation plans and programs. It comprises local elected officials, representatives from transportation agencies, and other stakeholders, ensuring that transportation planning aligns with regional priorities and needs. Through these collaborative efforts, H-GAC and its MPO work to enhance mobility, improve air quality, and support economic growth in the Houston-Galveston region. H-GAC serves as the fiscal agent to the Transportation Policy Council and provides all necessary staff, accounting and auditing services, contract approval, procurement, and more.  The Transportation MPO Senior Director is accountable to the Transportation Policy Council and reports directly to H-GAC’s Executive Director.  To learn more about the Transportation Policy Council, click here (https://www.h-gac.com/transportation-policy-council) . The Opportunity The Chief Transportation Officer/The Senior Director of Transportation will lead the transportation department at H-GAC, a team of dedicated professionals responsible for planning, funding, and implementing innovative transportation solutions in the Houston-Galveston Metro area.  Reporting to the Executive Director of H-GAC and accountable to the TPC. As the Chief Transportation Officer/Senior Director of Transportation, you will have the unique opportunity to oversee and guide a comprehensive and highly impactful transportation department within H-GAC. This department is organized into seven divisions, each addressing critical aspects of the region’s transportation needs. With an annual operating budget of over $10 million and a total headcount of 62 employees, including two Assistant Directors and seven division managers, the department’s scope is vast and strategic. You will oversee Regional Multimodal Planning, which includes the development and execution of the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), integrating strategic, visionary, and programming components. Subregional Planning focuses on collaboration with local jurisdictions to develop corridor and thoroughfare plans, while Project Development and Programming ensures effective project scoring and selection through a ten-year plan and four-year programming cycle. Administration & Finance manages funding, compliance, and operational processes. MPO Programs tackle critical areas such as travel demand solutions, congestion management analysis, Title VI compliance, and regional studies to enhance safety. Air Quality focuses on policies, comprehensive planning, and studying the impacts of activities on regional air quality. Finally, the newly established Project Delivery division will manage capital project delivery within the H-GAC framework. In this role, you will also collaborate closely with the Department of Data Analytics and Research and the Department of Community and Environmental Planning. This interdisciplinary partnership ensures a holistic approach to transportation planning, programming, and execution. The main areas of work for the Transportation Department include: + Unified Work Program – A two-year MPO plan outlining specific goals and objectives. + Regional Transportation Plan (20-Year Plan) – Updated every two years to guide long-term transportation investments. + Transportation Improvement Program – A short-term program detailing projects approved for federal funding. + Congestion Management – Developing strategies to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow. + Transportation Conformity – Ensuring transportation projects align with air quality standards. As the Chief Transportation Officer/Senior Director, you will lead this dynamic team to address regional challenges such as explosive population growth, increasing freight movement, traffic safety, and congestion. You will champion innovative solutions, foster collaboration across local, state, and federal partners, and ensure that H-GAC remains a national leader in transportation planning and project delivery. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will be an innovative leader with demonstrated ability to contemplate and solve problems that are complex and have multiple considerations including political, financial, regulatory, and technical. The selected candidate will evaluate options, act, and adjust to changing conditions and opportunities when applicable.  The ideal candidate will have a background in transportation and proven experience to inspire and lead a team of dedicated professionals who have answered the call to public service by recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent. Attributes of a successful candidate include: + Diplomatic approach to identifying win-win opportunities to resolve conflicts over controversial projects + Proven ability to build relationships and alliances based on trust + Candid and transparent communication style + Ability to achieve consensus across a spectrum of interests and priorities + Ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear and straightforward manner + Applies a forward-thinking approach to long term planning, with an emphasis on innovation and technology + Energetic and effective listener + Ability to recognize and pursue opportunities to expand services and establish our agency as a leader + A practical thinker, motivator, able to collaborate with team members, leaders, and stakeholders to produce exceptional quality output and drive creative solutions to maximize federal and state funding for our region Qualifications Education & Experience The position of Chief Transportation Officer/Senior Director requires: + Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or other related field of study. + Minimum of ten (10) years of experience are required in progressively responsible professional work directly related to regional planning, public service, and infrastructure/economic development planning, with at least five (5) years in a management capacity focused on transportation. + Experience in a consensus building environment with proven leadership in achieving results. Preference will be given to applicants that possess: + Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Administration, Urban Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or other related field of study.   + Executive level experience in a public service organization + Over ten (10) years of management experience + Understanding of traffic and drainage infrastructure + Ability to work with a diverse population + Proven experience leading a large organization through transformation and/or natural disasters + Experience and/or familiarity with the structure of MPOs in the State of Texas and the approaches and operations of the Texas Department of Transportation.   Powered by JazzHR