Deputy Director of Transportation (Deputy Director)

Job Description

Full-time position available with the Public Works Department, Director's Office Division
Pay Range: $9,117 - $19,167 per month
Work Location: 414 E. 12th Street
Work Days and Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Application Deadline: November 03, 2026

About Us

About the Public Works Department

At Kansas City Public Works, we keep the city moving. Our department manages the infrastructure residents rely on every day; from streets, sidewalks, streetlights, and traffic signals to major capital improvement projects that shape the city's future. We also drive initiatives that improve safety, mobility, and quality of life across Kansas City neighborhoods. Every project we take on supports one goal: a well-maintained, sustainable city that works for everyone who lives, works, and travels here.

Click here for more about this department

Responsibilities

The City of Kansas City, Missouri is seeking an innovative, strategic, and results-driven Transportation Director to lead one of the region's largest and most diverse municipal transportation organizations. Reporting to the Public Works Director, the Transportation Director provides vision, direction, and oversight for the City's Transportation Division, including Engineering, Construction, and Multimodal Transportation programs.

The Transportation Director serves as a key member of the department's executive leadership team, responsible for planning, developing, and implementing programs that support safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation infrastructure and mobility solutions throughout Kansas City. The successful candidate will lead major capital investments, cultivate regional partnerships, secure external funding, and advance strategic initiatives that enhance quality of life, economic development, and public safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide executive leadership for the City's Transportation Division, including Engineering, Construction, and Multimodal Transportation groups.
• Direct a public works division of approximately 144 employees, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, employee development, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
• Manage an annual operating budget of approximately $190 million supporting transportation infrastructure, operations, maintenance, and mobility initiatives.
• Oversee the delivery of an annual capital improvement program averaging $125 million in transportation investments.
• Develop and implement long-term transportation strategies, infrastructure plans, and asset management programs that support community growth and sustainability.
• Lead development and execution of large-scale transportation infrastructure projects utilizing traditional and alternative project delivery methods.
• Coordinate regional transportation planning efforts and partnerships with local, state, federal, and transit agencies.
• Direct transportation operations and emergency response activities, including snow and ice control operations and incident management.
• Secure and administer federal, state, and local grants supporting transportation and infrastructure initiatives.
• Negotiate contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and service agreements related to transportation programs and capital projects.
• Advance multimodal transportation solutions, including bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and complete streets initiatives.
• Lead safety-focused programs and performance management systems aimed at reducing traffic fatalities, improving mobility, and enhancing transportation asset performance.
• Support major regional events and transportation operations planning through collaboration with regional stakeholders.
• Present recommendations, plans, and performance outcomes to elected officials, executive leadership, community stakeholders, and the public.

Desired Experience and Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a successful track record of executive leadership in a complex municipal transportation or public works environment, including experience with:

• Managing large municipal transportation, public works, engineering, construction, or infrastructure programs.
• Leading organizations with multidisciplinary teams and diverse operational functions.
• Developing and implementing long-range transportation and infrastructure investment plans.
• Managing substantial operating and capital budgets and ensuring effective stewardship of public resources.
• Delivering high-profile transportation, transit, roadway, bridge, or multimodal infrastructure projects.
• Transportation planning, traffic safety, Vision Zero, complete streets, and multimodal mobility initiatives.
• Asset management, performance management, and business process improvement.
• Securing and managing federal and state transportation grants.
• Building collaborative partnerships with regional agencies, elected officials, community organizations, and private-sector stakeholders.
• Contract negotiation, procurement, and alternative project delivery methods.
• Emergency operations management, including snow and ice operations.
• Experience leading municipal snow and ice control operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic leadership and organizational management.
• Transportation engineering, construction, and infrastructure program management.
• Capital improvement planning and delivery.
• Public-sector budgeting and financial management.
• Regional partnership development and stakeholder engagement.
• Contract negotiation and procurement management.
• Transportation policy development and implementation.
• Asset management and performance measurement systems.
• Effective written, verbal, and public communication skills.
• Ability to lead organizational change and foster a high-performing workforce.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a nationally recognized transportation program and shape the future mobility, safety, and infrastructure of one of America's most dynamic cities. The Transportation Director will oversee transformative transportation investments, support regional growth initiatives, and guide the delivery of critical infrastructure that serves residents, businesses, and visitors across Kansas City.

Qualifications

REQUIRES

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Public Administration, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or a closely related field.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience managing municipal transportation, public works, engineering, construction, or infrastructure programs and projects, including significant supervisory and executive leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, personnel, and capital improvement programs.

PREFERRED

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, or a related field.
• Experience managing large-scale transportation, transit, or multimodal capital projects.

• Experience securing and administering federal transportation grants and funding programs.

Other Information

Military veterans encouraged to apply

Why You'll Love Working with Us - Core Employee Benefits (Benefits offered to all permanent employees unless otherwise specified)

Comprehensive Health Coverage
Affordable medical, dental, and vision plans with multiple options and low employee contributions.

Generous Paid Time Off
Enjoy vacation, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays-with accruals that grow the longer you're with us.

Secure Retirement Planning
City-funded pension plan plus an optional 457 savings plan to help you build long-term financial security.

Support for Life's Big Moments
Paid parental and bereavement leave to help you navigate major life events with peace of mind.

Tuition Assistance
Get reimbursed for eligible education expenses-invest in your future while you work.

Income Protection
Short- and long-term disability coverage options to safeguard your earnings.

Life Insurance Provided
City-paid life insurance with the option to add more coverage for extra peace of mind.

Community Volunteer Leave
Take up to 8 hours annually to give back to causes you care about.

Want the Full Picture?
Click here for a complete benefits summary.

URGENT!!! CRITICAL RECRUITMENT INFORMATION

Applications and/or resumes are evaluated on the information received by the application deadline. Please ensure that your application or resume clearly demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying, this includes providing all relevant educational dates and a detailed description of relevant work experience, including months/years of employment. Applications and/or resumes may not be considered if information is incomplete.

In order for a resume to be used in lieu of an application the resume must have been submitted online via the City's Applicant Tracking System.

Positions requiring a high school diploma/GED certificate must be obtained from a school/program accredited by the Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

The minimum education requirement for positions that allow for experience equivalency for an accredited degree is a high school diploma. Unless otherwise specified, an accredited degree must be obtained from a college or university listed with the U.S. Department of Education and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
For positions with a salary grade of EX6 or higher that require an accredited degree, qualifying professional experience must be obtained AFTER the accredited degree is obtained.
Successful completion of a pre-employment criminal history/background check is required for all positions. Some positions require a post offer drug screen and/or physical.

If appointed, non-residents must obtain residency inside Kansas City, Missouri's city limits within nine months.

The City of KCMO is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The City is committed to providing a workplace environment for its employees and citizens free from discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. For more information, please see our EEO Policy

The City of KCMO is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 816-513-1908 or send an e-mail to accommodations@kcmo.org .

If claiming military veterans' preference points, you must attach a copy of your DD-214 or a DD-256 (for reservists). To claim veterans' points you must have served 180 days of regular active duty service and be discharged or released under honorable conditions during peacetimes or 90 days of active duty service, one (1) day during "wartime" and a last discharge or release under honorable conditions. (DOD) 38 U.S. Code • 4211).