Senior Transportation Planner

Based in Western Canada for over 110 years, McElhanney offers innovative and practical engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental services. As a 100% employee-owned and operated firm, with over 1,400 staff members in 33 locations, we are proud to offer qualified staff with shareholding options in our company. At McElhanney, we work in teams to build strong connections with our staff, clients, and local communities. Our employees enjoy working here because of our varied projects, high levels of autonomy, opportunities for career development, excellent total compensation and benefits package, and collaborating with a team of great professionals.

The Opportunity – Shape the Future of Transportation in Western Canada – Join us in Calgary!

McElhanney has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Transportation Planner to join our growing team in Alberta. Based in Calgary (or nearby), you’ll play a key role in shaping transportation systems across the region – leading complex, multidisciplinary projects, building strong client relationships, and mentoring the next generation of transportation planners. You will bring your expertise to a collaborative firm where your work will directly influence how people move through our communities.

Why This Role Might Be a Great Match For You

• You’re ready to step into a senior role with confidence, curiosity, and a desire to lead. Whether you're already operating at that level or looking for the right opportunity to grow, you’re eager to take the next step.
• You have a knack for building strong client relationships and enjoy contributing to business development – from proposals to identifying new opportunities and growing trusted partnerships.
• You thrive in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments and take pride in delivering impactful, community‑focused solutions through complex transportation planning projects.

What You’ll Do

• Land manage transportation planning projects of varying scale and complexity, including multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring high‑quality deliverables, clear communication, and on‑time, on‑budget delivery.
• Act as a key client liaison, able to "speak the technical" while building trust with both public and private sector partners.
• Communicate with clarity and impact, using strong written and verbal communication skills. This includes writing technical reports, preparing and delivering presentations, and managing client‑facing communications.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, leveraging your existing connections and credibility with the City of Calgary and other Alberta municipalities to support project success and future opportunities.
• Mentor and support junior staff, providing technical guidance, career development support, and helping to grow the next generation of planners within our firm.
• Contribute to thought leadership through involvement in industry events, conference presentations, publications, and other knowledge‑sharing opportunities that raise the profile of our team and shape the future of transportation planning.
• Support business development efforts by contributing to proposal writing, identifying new project opportunities, and working closely with leadership to pursue strategic growth, while keeping technical excellence and project delivery as your primary focus.

What You’ll Bring

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation in good standing in Alberta (or eligible for registration).
• 10–15 years of progressive experience in transportation planning, with a strong mix of consulting and municipal project work.
• Experience with City of Calgary transportation projects would be a strong asset, including deep familiarity with local planning frameworks, technical standards, and stakeholder expectations.
• Knowledge of transportation planning in surrounding communities such as Airdrie, Cochrane, and Okotoks is an asset.
• A proven track record in leading and delivering:
  • Transportation Master Plans (TMPs)
  • Corridor studies and network‑level planning
  • Active transportation and multimodal integration strategies
  • Transit planning, including service optimization, ridership analysis, and station area planning
  • Road safety projects and Vision Zero strategies
• Strong public and interested‑party engagement skills, including experience facilitating open houses, workshops, and presentations to councils and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience leading proposal development and contributing to business development activities.
• Proficiency with transportation planning and modelling tools, including SIDRA, Synchro, and SimTraffic; and working knowledge of GIS. (You’ll guide technical staff, rather than operate the tools daily.)

What Can We Offer You?

The salary range for this position is $120,000 – $175,000 per year. In addition to base salary, our total compensation package includes annual performance‑based bonuses, competitive benefit plans, generous vacation, and potential shareholder opportunities through our employee‑owned structure, making overall compensation highly competitive within the industry. McElhanney’s culture, competitive total compensation, career development opportunities, and meaningful work are key differentiators that have contributed to long tenures and fulfilling careers for our staff.

• Work‑Life Harmony: Balance your personal and professional commitments. Flexible hours to fit your lifestyle.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Maternity and parental leave top‑up program, health and dental coverage, RRSP matching, and Employee & Family Assistance Program.
• Safe & Inclusive Workplace: A culture of respect and inclusion for all.
• Compensation: Attractive total compensation package including a generous bonus plan and share ownership potential.
• Professional Development: Reimbursement for dues, educational assistance, mentorship program, workshops, and committee involvement.
• Career Progression: Support and mentorship to shape a career path that fits your goals.
• Relocation Support: Financial assistance if applicable.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At McElhanney, our unwavering commitment lies in cultivating a culture that aligns with our core values and fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the collective achievements of a team rich in expertise, experiences, and perspectives, and welcome applications from individuals of diverse ethnicities, religions, backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, aboriginal statuses, various age groups, and those with disabilities. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the selection process. If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements outlined. We’re interested in getting to know you and explore the unique contributions you can bring to McElhanney.

Apply now or visit www.mcelhanney.com/careers to learn more. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Fraud Warning

McElhanney is aware of activities where individuals have received fraudulent job offers. Please be advised that McElhanney will not ask applicants for any form of monetary exchange at any point in the recruitment process. To learn more, visit www.mcelhanney.com/careers/fraud-warning. Disclosure of your information in accordance with this policy and applicable law, including to third‑party service providers, may result in your personal information being transferred outside of Canada, including to the United States.