Rail Sector Leader - North America

At GHD we are committed to addressing the world’s biggest challenges in the areas of energy, water and communities.

About us
We are a global network of multi-disciplinary professionals providing clients with integrated solutions through engineering, environmental, design and construction expertise.

Our future-focused, innovative approaches connect and support communities around the world, building resiliency and sustainability for generations to come.

Established in 1928, we remain wholly owned by our people. We are 10,000+ diverse and skilled individuals connected by over 200 offices, across five continents.

Who are we looking for?

Rail has been identified as a sector for growth under the Enterprise Client Program (ECP). GHD has established trusted relationships with major Class I rail clients, primarily through environmental services and emergency response. The focus now is on expanding our support across the value chain, including engineering, asset management, digital advisory, and infrastructure renewal.

This sector presents a clear opportunity to bring more of GHD to the table, leveraging our strong regional capabilities from within Canada and the US —and aligning with client safety, modernization, and operational goals. Freight Rail growth will be driven by strategic account planning, cross-sell initiatives, and close collaboration across business groups, positioning GHD as a full-service partner to key rail clients.

GHD expanded our commuter and light rail work, in particular in Ontario and is now driving significant growth in this space in California. The selected Sector Leader will work closely with our Transportation Market leadership to continue the expansion of our ECP clients across the US and Canada in this sector to achieve balanced growth in the passenger rail arena to accompany Freight Rail. .

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of duties and will see you involved in:

• Development and execution of an approved client sector engagement plan.
• Direct the approach for specific client sector growth and achieve agreed upon stretch targets for winning work and building backlog within the sector.
• Responsible for the performance of the Key and Growth Clients within the sector, as well as the performance of the Relationship Managers (RMs) within the client sector.
• Lead the growth plan to develop Valued Clients into Key and Growth Clients (build the ECP client portfolio).
• Provide oversight to Relationship Managers (RMs) within client sector including goal setting and quarterly performance reviews.
• Identifying an overarching business plan and positioning to target clients within the client sector, including being a Relationship Managers (RMs) for certain clients.
• Developing or enhancing client relationships to generate leads, opportunities, teaming strategies, and winning work while influencing appropriate project delivery governance.
• Supporting portfolio Relationship Managers (RMs) at the bidding stages through pre-positioning, strategic bid planning, proposal development, and financial strategy.
• Initiating growth strategies and step-up initiatives applicable to relevant markets.
• Gathering sector intelligence in partnership with Capture Strategy teams to influence GHD's positioning.
• Partner with Technical Services to identify the key needs within the client sector and match those to key GHD service offerings. Where needed, identify gaps and work with operations to train, hire, relocate.
• Promote the centres of capability or service lines where GHD’s skills reside in servicing this sector.
• Assist with solutions-based marketing that aligns to the needs within the client sector.
• Ensure the capture and maintenance of the sector information in Salesforce.

What you bring to the team:

• Bachelor’s Degree Engineering, Science, or other relevant discipline.
• Project Management and Business Development (highly regarded).
• Minimum 15 years industry experience (consulting environment preferable).
• Client Account Management Experience within designated Sector.
• Highly developed and open communication and influencing skills, both oral and written.
• Good people relationships and networking skills.
• Highly approachable to staff queries and highly visible in the sector and with specific clients
• Understanding and adherence to GHD’s values, Codes of Conduct and Policies including risk and reputation management and compliance with GHD’s health and safety management system

Please include a cover letter with your application that specifically outlines your experience with North American Rail companies, along with examples of relevant professional relationships you have developed within these companies.

The candidate can sit anywhere in North America that GHD has an office. The salary will be based on location, skills, and experience.

Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.