Project Manager At LJA TransportationLJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace.
We're guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:Employee-owned. Client-focusedEmployee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)Consistently ranked as a Top WorkplaceInternal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industryWe celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approachOur culture champions continuous learning and personal growthWe believe success comes through constant evolution and communicationWe are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impactAs a Project Manager at LJA Transportation, you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of a large, complex real estate acquisition program for a major transit project. The position functions as a day-to-day extension of the Project Manager, with a strong emphasis on detailed execution, technical review, quality control, and Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970, as amended (Uniform Act) compliance.In addition to supporting daily coordination and issue resolution, this role contributes to development and strategic planning activities, including refinement of procedures, workflows, schedules, and risk mitigation approaches.
The position is designed to offload day-to-day coordination from the Project Manager while strengthening quality, consistency, and forward-looking planning across the program.Experience on large, federally funded programs is ideal. Familiarity with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) processes is beneficial.A typical day might include:Supporting day-to-day delivery of a large real estate acquisition transit projectManaging subconsultants, assuming responsibility for invoicing/paymentsReviewing subconsultant submittals to ensure completeness and documentation of submittalProviding detailed technical review and quality control of acquisition and relocation work productsServing as a technical lead for Uniform Act compliance, including interpretation of requirements and consistency across documentationAssisting with implementation of client's real estate acquisition management plan, acquisition procedures, relocation procedures, and internal workflowsParticipating in short-term and long-range planning related to parcel sequencing, staffing needs, and schedule riskCoordinating acquisition and relocation activities across multiple parcels, disciplines, and consultantsReviewing schedules, trackers, and dashboards to ensure accuracy, completeness, and usabilityCoordinating with appraisal, appraisal review, negotiation, relocation, legal, environmental, survey and engineering teamsParticipating in internal and external project meetings, occasionally leading meetings or work sessions as delegatedAssisting the Project Manager with issue identification, risk management, and resolution of day-to-day challengesHelping prepare for agency reviews, audits, workshops, and coordination meetingsProviding technical guidance and leading/mentoring project staffPreparing presentations and reports and effectively communicating in a variety of mediumsAssisting the Project Manager with financial analysis to track the project's profitabilityTracking the project team's workload and evaluating potential staffing needsRequired education/license/certifications:4-year college degreeInternational Right of Way Association (IRWA) SR/WA certification. Additional credentials are a plus.Texas Real Estate Sales Agent's or Broker's license (Texas law license may be substituted) or ability to obtain one through reciprocity with another state's real estate licensing agencyActive Texas Notary, or ability to obtain notary status within two months of employmentRequired qualifications:Minimum 10 years of experience managing or providing direct support for managing public infrastructure projectsDemonstrated experience in working with, understanding, and interpreting the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970, as amendedExperience working on large, complex public infrastructure projects with significant parcel counts and varied acquisition typesExperience working on highly visible projects with aggressive schedulesStrong experience performing detailed reviews of acquisition and relocation documentation for accuracy and complianceFamiliarity with eminent domain processes and coordination with legal counsel on complex or contested acquisitionsExperience working in dense urban or central business district environments involving partial acquisitions, access impacts, phasing constraints, and stakeholder sensitivityFamiliarity with acquisition appraisal elements (such as USPAP) and methodologyProficient with MS Office Suite, especially Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPointProficient with using Sharepoint and client-based systemsValid Driver's License (good driving record and ability to travel as project needs required)Possesses strong verbal and written communication skillsAbility to build and maintain strong internal and external relationshipsAbility to lead/manage a team of right of way professionalsIdeally, you should also have:Experience working on Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and light rail projectsExperience supporting or developing a Real Estate Acquisition Management Plan (RAMP) or similar program-level plan for a large infrastructure programKnowledge of real estate and growth in the Austin metropolitan areaExperience supporting multi-year, program-level projects with evolving scopes, schedules, and regulatory requirementsManaged projects from schedule, financial, and contractual perspectivesExperience coordinating complex acquisition and relocation programs involving multiple parcels and stakeholdersPossess a degree in real estate, engineering, or related fieldMind/body endurance:Critical thinking and problem-solving attributesIntraoffice and interoffice mobility required to attend project meetings, client meetings, and meetings with team members and support staffActively participate in meetings to follow up with team members and clients on action itemsAbility to accurately work under pressure to meet deadlinesCapable of quickly evaluating accuracy in real estate acquisition documentsSit for extended periods of time working on a computer with various software applicationsLevel up with LJA:Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year's.Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.Referral Bonuses: Know great talent?
Get rewarded for helping us grow.Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.