Manager – Project Programming

About Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country with a diverse service area of 13 counties and more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every single day.   
 
We make decisions that affect our transportation system, ensure the safety and well-being of our seniors, connect people to jobs, help families recover from natural disasters, preserve water quality for our children, and so much more. We work to make the region a great place to live, work, and thrive.  
   
What will I be doing?

The Manager – Project Programming is responsible for the development, administration, and implementation of the Houston-Galveston Area Council Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (H-GAC MPO) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and related transportation programming activities. This position manages the processes through which regional transportation projects are prioritized, programmed, and advanced toward implementation, ensuring consistency with the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), available funding, and applicable federal and state requirements.

The Manager coordinates closely with TxDOT district offices, TxDOT statewide program staff, local governments, transit agencies, and other regional partners to ensure alignment between the MPO’s TIP and state-level transportation programming documents, including the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the Unified Transportation Plan. This position leads the development and implementation of TIP policies, procedures, and programming criteria to promote transparency, consistency, accountability, and effective use of transportation funding.

The Manager supervises and develops professional staff, maintains effective project programming processes, and provides technical guidance to project sponsors and regional partners. The position identifies opportunities to improve programming practices, strengthen coordination among transportation agencies, and ensure regional transportation priorities are reflected in programming decisions and advance efficiently toward implementation.

Key Responsibilities and Qualifications
 
- Manages the development, maintenance, and administration of the H-GAC MPO Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), including project solicitation, evaluation, prioritization, funding allocation, amendments, modifications, and coordination of required approvals.

- Leads the development of a new, comprehensive TIP Policy document to guide the programming of the next TIP, establishing clear policies, procedures, evaluation criteria, prioritization methods, funding strategies, and expectations for project readiness and implementation.

- Coordinates with TxDOT local district offices and statewide program staff to ensure alignment between transportation programming documents.
- Ensures programmed projects are consistent with the Regional Transportation Plan, applicable federal and state requirements, funding eligibility criteria, and available financial resources.

- Works collaboratively with local governments, transit agencies, TxDOT, and other project sponsors to identify programming needs, resolve project funding and scheduling issues, and advance regional transportation priorities.

- Oversees the preparation, review, and coordination of TIP documentation, project listings, funding information, schedules, amendments, and supporting materials for MPO committees and decision-making bodies.

- Maintains effective processes for monitoring programmed projects, tracking funding and implementation milestones, and identifying potential programming issues or opportunities to improve project delivery.

- Supervises, mentors, and develops staff responsible for transportation programming activities, providing clear direction, establishing work priorities, and ensuring the timely and accurate completion of assignments.

- Provides technical guidance to MPO leadership, staff, and regional partners on TIP requirements, project programming procedures, funding eligibility, and the relationship between regional planning and state and federal programming processes.

- Supports the preparation of reports, presentations, and recommendations for MPO technical advisory committees and governing bodies, communicating programming decisions, policy changes, funding considerations, and implementation priorities.

- Demonstrates a strong understanding of federal and state transportation funding programs, MPO planning and programming requirements, project development processes, and transportation project delivery.
- Demonstrates the ability to supervise and develop professional staff, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, build effective working relationships, and lead complex projects involving multiple agencies and stakeholders.

Do you have…   
 
- Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study.
- 5 years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school, or in job-related duties

Preferred Qualifications  
 
- Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration or a closely related field.
- 8 years of experience working in the transportation planning field on planning studies, policy development, or transportation funding strategies
- Master’s degree in Urban Planning or related field of study
- Experience working with FHWA, FTA, TxDOT, local governments, transit agencies, and/or regional transportation partners.
- Experience working with Metropolitan Planning Organizations
- Experience developing and administering Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs), Transportation Improvement Program amendments, transportation funding programs, and project delivery initiatives.
- Comprehensive understanding of federal and statewide transportation planning programs and regulations

Salary Range: $120,000.00 - $140,000.00

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All employees of H-GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.

H-GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.