What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transportation Project Manager position at talisman?
Transportation Project Manager | MDOT Programs | East Lansing, MI
Talisman Advisory Partners is supporting a nationally recognized, growth-oriented engineering consultancy in their search for a Transportation Project Manager to anchor their Michigan practice out of East Lansing.
This is not a production seat. The incoming PM will take full ownership of MDOT project delivery from pursuit through final design leading complex roadway, highway, and interchange programs, managing client relationships across state and county DOTs, and working alongside local leadership to shape pursuit strategy and develop junior staff. For a transportation engineer with deep MDOT fluency and an eye on long-term practice ownership, this is the platform.
Our client is a nationally operating, multi-disciplined infrastructure firm with a well-established Michigan footprint and a direct relationship with MDOT across major corridor and design-build programs. They are large enough to compete for and win complex, high-visibility work including major interchange reconstructions, multi-discipline corridor projects, and statewide task order programs while remaining flat enough that a PM-level hire has direct access to regional leadership and meaningful influence over how the group operates.
The firm carries one of the strongest retirement structures in the industry, contributing up to 9% of gross compensation through a combination of profit-sharing and 401(k) match, regardless of employee contribution. Paired with flexible hybrid scheduling, generous PTO, and a genuine investment in technical development, this is a total rewards package built for the long game.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead MDOT transportation projects from pursuit through final delivery across roadway, highway, and interchange programs
- Build and maintain relationships with MDOT, county DOTs, and municipal clients across Michigan
- Collaborate with local leadership on pursuit strategy, teaming arrangements, and resource planning
- Supervise and develop project staff through design and plan production phases
- Manage project scopes, budgets, schedules, and quality across all phases
- Coordinate across disciplines including hydraulics, traffic, structures, and environmental
- Contribute to proposals, presentations, and business development initiatives
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Base salary range reflective of MDOT program management experience
- 9% total potential employer retirement contribution
- 5% profit-sharing contribution to 401(k) plus 80% match on employee contributions up to 4%, regardless of employee deferral level
- PTO credited from day one based on total years in the industry, not tenure at the firm
- Paid overtime, every hour worked is compensated
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and pet insurance with customizable plan option
- Paid parental leave
- Hybrid work schedule, structure determined collaboratively with your manager
- Tuition reimbursement and development programs
- Life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability coverage at no cost
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or related field
- Michigan PE license required
- 10 years of progressive experience on MDOT transportation programs
- Demonstrated PM or Lead Engineer experience on MDOT roadway or highway projects
- Proficiency in MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer
- Strong client-facing and communication skills