Senior Transportation Planner

Join to apply for the Senior Transportation Planner role at McElhanney.

Overview

McElhanney is based in Western Canada for over 110 years and offers engineering, surveying, mapping, planning, landscape architecture, and environmental services. We are a 100% employee-owned and operated firm with over 1,400 staff in 33 locations. We work in teams to build strong connections with staff, clients, and local communities. Our employees enjoy varied projects, autonomy, opportunities for career development, a competitive compensation and benefits package, and collaboration with a team of professionals.

The Opportunity – Shape the Future of Transportation in Western Canada – 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. Join us at McElhanney, where your skills and leadership in transportation planning will help shape Western Canada’s transportation future.

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 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.
• Work-Life Harmony: 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.

This role is designated as a safety-sensitive position.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At McElhanney, we are committed to cultivating a culture that aligns with our core values and fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We celebrate the achievements of a team with diverse expertise and experiences and welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. Requests for accommodations can be made at any stage of the selection process. If this job description resonates with you, apply even if you don’t meet all requirements. We’re interested in your potential contributions.

If this is the opportunity for you, 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.

To learn more about our recognition as Canada's Top 100 Employers (2025), visit Top Employer: McElhanney Ltd. (canadastop100.com). Visit us on Glassdoor to learn more about our employee experience.

Our Purpose: Amaze our clients. Care for our communities. Empower our people.

McElhanney is aware of fraudulent job offers. We will not ask applicants for monetary exchange at any point in the recruitment process. For more information, visit: www.mcelhanney.com/careers/fraud-warning.

Our commitment to privacy: Your information may be transferred outside of Canada in connection with the recruitment process, including to the United States, and may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Management and Manufacturing

Industries

Professional Services