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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR – TRANSPORT PLANNING - Job Opportunity at SYSTRA

Dublin, Ireland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 1, 2025
On-site
EUR 85,000 - 110,000 annually, reflecting the senior leadership position, significant project responsibility (€30M+ exposure), and Ireland's competitive market for experienced transport planning professionals, with potential performance bonuses and equity participation given the commercial accountability requirements.

Benefits

Opportunity to work on high-impact transport infrastructure projects under Ireland's €22bn National Development Plan, providing exposure to some of the most significant infrastructure investments in Europe
Leadership role in a rapidly growing global organization with over 10,300 colleagues worldwide, offering extensive networking and collaboration opportunities
Professional development through technical training programs and innovation initiatives, supporting continuous career advancement
Platform for industry recognition through article writing and conference speaking opportunities, enhancing professional profile and thought leadership
Mentoring and team development responsibilities that build valuable leadership experience for executive career progression

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive transport project appraisals, impact assessments, and master planning initiatives that shape public transport infrastructure across Ireland, directly influencing urban mobility for millions of users
Direct and coordinate subconsultants and joint venture partners on complex multi-stakeholder projects, ensuring seamless delivery of integrated transport solutions
Assume full commercial and project management accountability for high-value proposals exceeding €30 million, driving profitability and client satisfaction across multiple concurrent projects
Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key government and public sector clients, serving as primary liaison for high-level policy discussions and project approvals
Drive business development through compelling bid writing and client engagement strategies, contributing directly to company growth targets and market expansion
Mentor and develop junior project managers and technical staff, building organizational capability and ensuring knowledge transfer across multidisciplinary teams
Champion innovative transport planning methodologies and demand management solutions, positioning SYSTRA as a thought leader in sustainable mobility and carbon reduction strategies

Requirements

Education

Degree qualification in a relevant subject, ideally Economics or Civil Engineering

Experience

Significant depth of Transport planning experience for complex infrastructure projects

Required Skills

Significant depth of Transport planning experience for complex infrastructure projects, including appraisals, technical report writing, master planning and demand management Depth of project management experience Familiarity with Transport Modelling would be an advantage Strong numerical and Excel skills Experience and passion for mentoring and growing less experienced team members €30m+ project size exposure Leading multidisciplinary teams Internal and external client relationship focus Communication Leadership Team working Planning and organisation Business development Continuous growth of technical expertise and innovation Commercial and business management
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Ireland's transport infrastructure sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by the National Development Plan 2021-2030, creating exceptional demand for senior transport planning professionals with expertise in sustainable mobility solutions and integrated transport systems. The global shift toward sustainable transport infrastructure and carbon-neutral mobility solutions is driving increased investment in rail electrification, active travel networks, and integrated public transport systems, particularly in European markets where regulatory frameworks mandate emission reductions. Digital transformation in transport planning is accelerating adoption of advanced modeling technologies, AI-driven demand forecasting, and data-driven decision making, creating premium opportunities for professionals who can bridge traditional planning expertise with modern technological capabilities. Post-Brexit dynamics have positioned Ireland as a strategic hub for European infrastructure investment, with increased EU funding flows and multinational corporations establishing regional headquarters, driving sustained demand for large-scale transport infrastructure projects.

Role Significance

Typically manages integrated teams of 15-25 professionals including transport planners, engineers, modelers, and environmental specialists, while coordinating with external subconsultants and joint venture partners, requiring sophisticated stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
This Associate Director position represents a senior leadership role with substantial autonomous decision-making authority, commercial accountability, and strategic influence over major infrastructure projects that will define Ireland's transport landscape for decades, positioning the incumbent as a key regional leader within SYSTRA's European operations.

Key Projects

Multi-modal transport hubs integrating rail, bus rapid transit, and active travel networks in major Irish cities Regional rail electrification and capacity enhancement programs connecting Dublin with secondary urban centers Strategic transport corridor development supporting Ireland's Atlantic Economic Corridor initiative Integrated transport and land use planning for new urban districts and sustainable communities Cross-border transport connectivity projects enhancing all-island economic integration

Success Factors

Exceptional stakeholder management capabilities enabling effective navigation of complex public sector procurement processes, political considerations, and community engagement requirements that are critical for major infrastructure project approval and delivery. Strong commercial acumen combining technical excellence with business development skills, essential for winning competitive tenders in Ireland's sophisticated public procurement environment while maintaining profitability on complex, long-duration projects. Strategic thinking ability to understand broader economic and social policy objectives behind transport investments, enabling development of solutions that align with government priorities for sustainable development, regional balance, and economic competitiveness. Leadership excellence in managing multidisciplinary teams and external partners across different organizational cultures, technical specializations, and commercial interests, crucial for delivering integrated transport solutions on schedule and within budget. Innovation mindset focused on emerging technologies, sustainable mobility concepts, and behavioral change strategies that will differentiate SYSTRA's proposals in an increasingly competitive market for transport planning services.

Market Demand

Very High - The combination of Ireland's massive infrastructure investment program, SYSTRA's aggressive expansion plans, and the specialized nature of senior transport planning expertise creates exceptional market demand, with limited supply of qualified candidates possessing the required depth of experience in complex infrastructure project leadership.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced project management capabilities with demonstrated success on €30M+ infrastructure projects are absolutely essential, as this role carries full commercial accountability and client relationship responsibility, requiring sophisticated understanding of risk management, resource allocation, and stakeholder coordination across complex, multi-year delivery timelines. Deep transport planning expertise spanning modal integration, demand forecasting, and policy analysis represents the core technical foundation, as Ireland's transport challenges require innovative solutions that balance urban mobility needs with environmental sustainability, regional development objectives, and fiscal constraints. Strategic client relationship management and business development skills are mission-critical given the role's responsibility for maintaining existing client relationships while driving new business growth, requiring understanding of public sector procurement, political dynamics, and long-term infrastructure planning cycles. Leadership and mentoring capabilities are fundamental to success as the role involves developing junior staff while managing multidisciplinary teams, requiring emotional intelligence, communication excellence, and ability to inspire high performance across diverse technical specializations and cultural backgrounds.

Beneficial Skills

Transport modeling expertise using advanced software platforms like VISUM, CUBE, or SUMO would provide significant competitive advantage in developing sophisticated demand forecasts and scenario analysis capabilities that differentiate SYSTRA's technical proposals and enable more accurate project outcome predictions. Understanding of environmental assessment methodologies and climate impact analysis would enhance value proposition given increasing focus on carbon reduction and sustainability metrics in transport infrastructure evaluation, particularly relevant for projects seeking EU funding or green financing. Digital technology familiarity including BIM, GIS applications, and data analytics tools would support SYSTRA's digital transformation initiatives while improving project delivery efficiency and client engagement through advanced visualization and real-time project monitoring capabilities. Public policy and regulatory knowledge spanning Irish planning law, EU transport directives, and environmental regulations would accelerate project approval processes and reduce delivery risks through proactive compliance management and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Unique Aspects

Direct involvement in shaping Ireland's transport future through the €22 billion National Development Plan represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to influence infrastructure that will serve multiple generations while building a legacy of sustainable mobility leadership.
Exposure to European best practices and international project methodologies through SYSTRA's global network provides unparalleled professional development opportunities and access to cutting-edge transport planning innovations from markets worldwide.
Strategic timing coinciding with Ireland's infrastructure investment boom, post-Brexit positioning, and climate action mandates creates exceptional visibility and career acceleration potential for senior professionals capable of delivering complex projects successfully.
Combination of public sector client focus with commercial accountability requirements offers unique skill development spanning both policy-oriented strategic planning and private sector business development, creating distinctive career versatility.
Leadership role in growing regional operations provides entrepreneurial satisfaction and equity-like upside potential as the Irish market expands, while maintaining the security and resources of a large international organization.

Career Growth

Career progression to executive leadership roles typically achievable within 4-7 years given the high-profile nature of current Irish infrastructure programs, extensive client relationship development opportunities, and SYSTRA's rapid expansion trajectory creating internal advancement pathways.

Potential Next Roles

Regional Director for UK & Ireland operations within SYSTRA, overseeing multiple offices and P&L responsibility for the regional business unit Chief Operating Officer or Technical Director positions within mid-sized transport consultancies, focusing on strategic business development and technical innovation Senior Executive roles within government transport agencies or quasi-state bodies such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, combining policy development with program delivery responsibilities Partner-level positions within major international consulting firms specializing in infrastructure and urban development, with global project responsibility and equity participation

Company Overview

SYSTRA

SYSTRA stands as one of the world's leading engineering and consulting firms specializing in transport infrastructure, with over 60 years of heritage and a global presence spanning major metropolitan areas worldwide, distinguished by its comprehensive capabilities covering planning, design, testing, commissioning, and project delivery across all transport modes.

Positioned among the top-tier international transport consultancies competing with firms like Arup, WSP, and Atkins, SYSTRA differentiates itself through deep rail expertise derived from its French origins and SNCF heritage, while maintaining strong capabilities across all transport modes and emerging as a leader in sustainable mobility solutions.
SYSTRA's Irish operations represent a strategic growth market within the company's European expansion strategy, with the Dublin and Cork offices serving as key hubs for capturing opportunities across the island of Ireland while supporting broader UK operations and European project delivery.
Characterized by technical excellence, collaborative international teamwork, and strong emphasis on professional development, reflecting French engineering traditions combined with Anglo-Irish commercial pragmatism, fostering an environment where technical innovation and commercial success are equally valued and rewarded.
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