Principal Transportation Planner (Market and Office Leader)

This is an outstanding opportunity for the right person to help grow our market presence in Vancouver, Western Canada, and the West Coast of the United States. In this role, you will work on policy, strategy and infrastructure advisory initiatives such as designing governance, decision-making, and funding structures for regional agencies and transit authorities; developing long-range mobility policies that influence how cities grow and invest in transportation systems; and shaping major projects from early concept through capital program development for bus, rail, and airport infrastructure.

You will collaborate closely with clients, senior leaders, and partners; mentor and support colleagues; and play a key role in driving business development and shaping strategy as part of a highly respected, values-driven consulting practice focused on making city life better.

About Access Planning & Nelson\Nygaard

Access Planning is a strategic transportation planning and advisory practice that helps public agencies deliver complex mobility programs and infrastructure. Our multidisciplinary team of planners, project managers, policy analysts, and engineers brings deep technical expertise in transit and mobility systems, paired with strong capabilities in governance, finance, and policy. We lead work in planning, policy development, governance, decision‑making, and program management for major infrastructure projects, transit networks, and transit‑oriented communities. Our clients include cities, transit authorities, airports, and provincial and state governments across Canada and in the United States.

In 2025, Access joined Nelson\Nygaard and is now part of a 160-person team with offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and 12 U.S. cities. For nearly 40 years, Nelson\Nygaard has led the transportation planning field with our values-driven approach. We’ve always been guided by the principle of putting people first. We were founded by two women who believed in the benefits of a more egalitarian workplace, where leadership and creativity can blossom at all levels and where diversity is a core strength. What unites us at Nelson\Nygaard is our steadfast commitment to make the world more just, more sustainable, more connected, and more beautiful.

Access Planning and Nelson\Nygaard offer a dynamic and self-directed work environment that is fast-paced, collaborative, and fun. This is your opportunity to work with one of the most innovative groups of planners and engineers in North America, including highly talented junior and support staff. Our firm culture is built upon diversity and creativity.

About You

• You are passionate about transformational city-building initiatives and delivering better outcomes for communities.
• You understand the BC and western markets and are committed to advancing transportation solutions that fit local needs.
• You are an inspiring leader with a demonstrated track record of achievement.
• You have led broad-ranging and complex strategic planning, policy, or infrastructure advisory projects and programs.
• You’re energized by business development, identifying and unlocking opportunities, and you bring client engagement experience and a network of client and industry relationships.
• You thrive when building partnerships, defining opportunities and projects, curating deliverables, and managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• You’re a collaborator and structured thinker. You’re excited to develop innovative approaches, align diverse stakeholders, deliver compelling presentations, and design frameworks that guide decision-making.
• You value open communication and enjoy working closely with colleagues and clients to tackle issues that require clarity, creativity, and strategic thinking.
• You love solving complex problems in dynamic, often ambiguous environments. You’re energized by challenges with more questions than answers.
• You’re committed to excellence, with strong subject-matter expertise, technical and analytical skills, and a strategic mindset.
• You’re very organized and able to balance a portfolio of projects, initiatives, and responsibilities.
• You have experience supporting transit systems, networks, or strategic projects, whether within public agencies or as a consultant.
• You enjoy leading people and teams and are motivated by mentoring and coaching. You support others to take initiative.

What You Will Do

As the Vancouver Office/Market Leader and Principal, you will be responsible for the financial and operational performance of the office as well as overall morale, staff development, and hiring. You will have leadership responsibilities for client relationships and projects, business growth and development, team performance, and the organization, with the ability to delegate duties while maintaining accountability for the success of the Vancouver Office.

Responsibilities will include mentoring and supporting office and project teams; scoping and delivering project work on time and on budget; providing senior advisory services and ensuring quality deliverables; writing and editing technical and public-facing reports; developing presentations and outreach materials; designing and facilitating processes; and leading business development efforts, client communication, and practice building. You will work independently, as part of the senior management team at Access, and in collaboration with the Office/Market Leaders across Nelson\Nygaard.

Key responsibilities include:

• Direct strategy and infrastructure advisory assignments, such as developing transit strategies and related implementation guidance (e.g., technical, engagement, and funding).
• Provide clear, structured, and actionable strategic advice to senior public‑sector leaders on navigating policy challenges, making informed decisions, and engaging partners effectively. For example, this could include developing a prioritized transit investment program with a robust implementation strategy (e.g., technical, engagement, organizational, and funding considerations).
• Lead the scoping, planning, and end‑to‑end management of complex, interdisciplinary planning, policy, governance, and infrastructure initiatives; apply strong project management discipline to keep teams aligned and manage risks; and deliver high‑quality outcomes on time and within budget.
• Produce clear, concise, and audience‑appropriate deliverables, including reports, presentations, and technical or public‑facing materials for executives, partner agencies, technical teams, stakeholders, and communities.
• Lead the development of proposals, work plans, and service offerings for medium‑ and large‑scale projects, contributing to business development and the firm’s strategic growth across Canada.
• Grow our presence and market share in greater Vancouver and throughout Western Canada, leading strategic business planning for the market. This includes developing strong partnerships with other firms and organizations in the region.
• Build, maintain, and grow a strong network of clients and stakeholders, fostering trust, confidence, and productive collaboration to support project development, problem‑solving, and successful delivery.
• Participate in firmwide strategic planning activities to ensure that we continue to build on our mission and core values and champion implementation of firmwide initiatives in the office, including the annual Business Plan.
• Play an important leadership role in the firm, with responsibility for thought leadership to ensure our practices are evolving toward the best ideas.
• Lead by example, demonstrating the highest level of professionalism and communication skills, as well as a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Provide leadership, direction, and coaching to associate through associate principal level staff, cultivating a high‑performing team culture grounded in mentorship, collaboration, and professional excellence.
• Coordinate with other Office/Market Leaders on issues such as workflow, performance competencies, employee retention, and more to meet annual office utilization, growth and culture goals.

This position is a hybrid role based in our Vancouver office. You will be expected to work in office a minimum of three (3) days per week to mentor the team, build culture, and collaborate with colleagues and project teams.

Qualifications AND Requirements

The ideal candidate will have a broad range of transportation, infrastructure, and urban planning experience, preferably with a focus on transit or multimodal planning and design. A successful candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications:

• At least 12 years of progressive experience in mid- to senior-level positions in the public or private sector with a focus on urban development and mobility/transit planning, policy, major infrastructure development, and/or governance initiatives.
• A university degree in planning, engineering, urban design, environmental management, public policy, public administration, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in business development (i.e., winning work); if you have public agency experience, RFP development and evaluation experience are applicable skills.
• Strong connections or potential connections to clients, partners, and stakeholders in the greater Vancouver region, British Columbia, Western Canada, and/or the Western United States.
• Awareness and ability to initiate and progress complex projects with minimum guidance, on time and on budget, taking the initiative to consult with colleagues at the right time.
• Experience leading diverse teams, with a focus on staff growth and development.
• Passion for advancing equity through community-based efforts, including engagement and demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities.
• Excellent communication skills in all formats: writing, presentations, engagement, and facilitation.
• Exemplary time management and organizational skills, with the ability think strategically while advancing near-term priorities and actions.
• Some capacity to work in French is an asset but not required.

Salary AND Benefits

The annual compensation for this position is industry competitive, depending on qualifications and years of experience, with annual performance-based salary increases and bonuses. The annual salary range for this position is CAD $180,000 - $250,000.

We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health and dental benefits, fitness and transit reimbursement, paid time off, paid parental leave, group RRSP, and association dues and professional development.

Interested? Get in touch!

Qualified and interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and work samples that highlight your skills (no larger than 6MB). Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Access Planning and Nelson\Nygaard are committed to creating equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces that are respectful and barrier free. Our work is strengthened by the diversity of our experiences and perspectives.

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