What Does a Traffic Manager Do?

Traffic managers are responsible for ensuring that everything runs smoothly on set. They’re the liaisons between production crews and outside vendors, making sure everyone is doing their part to make the project a success.

Traffic managers also commonly act as liaisons between different departments within the production company or agency. This means they may be tasked with coordinating efforts between marketing teams, accounting teams, producers, directors, etc.

Traffic Manager Job Duties

Traffic managers have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Managing the planning and implementation of projects to improve traffic flow, including coordinating with other departments, such as public works or engineering
• Setting up programs to enforce traffic laws and policies, including issuing tickets or creating awareness campaigns
• Developing programs to improve pedestrian safety, such as crosswalk audits or construction of sidewalks or shelters in high traffic areas
• Monitoring signals to ensure they are working properly and responding to malfunctions or outages
• Establishing relationships with businesses or organizations that may cause traffic issues, such as schools or construction companies
• Coordinating with other city departments, such as police or fire departments, to ensure effective responses to emergencies or special events
• Monitoring traffic flow with cameras and other equipment to identify problems that need to be addressed
• Monitoring the flow of traffic on major roads and highways to identify problems that need to be addressed
• Determining whether proposed construction projects will have an impact on traffic flow and whether alternative routes are available

Traffic Manager Salary & Outlook

Traffic managers’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $76,500 ($36.78/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $122,000 ($58.65/hour)

The employment of traffic managers is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

Employment growth will be driven by the need for traffic management in large cities and towns. As cities continue to grow, traffic congestion will become more of a problem. Traffic managers will be needed to help cities develop and implement plans to reduce traffic congestion.

Related: Traffic Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Traffic Manager Job Requirements

Traffic managers typically need to have the following qualifications:

Education: Employers typically require traffic managers to have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some employers may prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in traffic management or a related field.

Traffic managers typically need to have a minimum of two years of experience in a related field, such as transportation, logistics or warehousing. Some employers may prefer candidates who have a minimum of four years of experience in a related field.

Training & Experience: Traffic managers typically receive on-the-job training. This training may include shadowing a current traffic manager or learning from a supervisor. Training may last for a few days to a few weeks. During this time, a traffic manager will learn about the company’s policies and procedures, the software they use and the workflow they follow.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications are not usually a requirement to become a traffic manager, but they can help you become a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs.

Traffic Manager Skills

Traffic managers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information through speech, writing or other methods. As a traffic manager, you may be responsible for communicating with employees, clients and other stakeholders. Effective communication can help you to convey information clearly and answer questions. It can also help you to build trust with others.

Problem-solving: As a traffic manager, you may be responsible for managing traffic during emergency situations, such as natural disasters or accidents. You may also be responsible for managing traffic during large events, such as sporting events or concerts. In these situations, you may need to solve problems quickly and efficiently.

Organization: Organization is another skill that can be helpful for a traffic manager to have. This is because they often oversee multiple projects at once and need to keep track of the status of each project. Having strong organizational skills can help a traffic manager keep track of all of their projects and ensure that they are progressing as expected.

Negotiation: Negotiation is the act of communicating with others to reach an agreement. As a traffic manager, you may be responsible for negotiating with suppliers to secure the best prices for materials or negotiating with contractors to secure the best prices for labor. You may also be responsible for negotiating with employees to secure their commitment to the project.

Teamwork: A traffic manager works with many different teams and individuals to ensure the smooth flow of traffic throughout a company’s facilities. This requires a great deal of teamwork, as they must work with security personnel, maintenance teams and other managers to ensure all aspects of traffic are addressed.

Traffic Manager Work Environment

Traffic managers work in a variety of settings, including advertising agencies, corporate marketing departments, and traffic departments of television and radio stations. They typically work a standard 40-hour week, although they may occasionally work overtime to meet deadlines. Traffic managers are usually under a great deal of pressure to meet deadlines and may work in a fast-paced environment. They need to be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and be able to work well under pressure.

Traffic Manager Trends

Here are three trends influencing how traffic managers work. Traffic managers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Need for Better Data Collection

As the world becomes more digital, businesses are increasingly relying on data to make decisions. This means that traffic managers will need to be able to collect and analyze data in order to make informed decisions about where to focus their resources.

Traffic managers who are able to collect and analyze data will be in high demand, as they will be able to provide valuable insights into how customers are interacting with products and services. This information can then be used to improve customer experience and drive sales.

The Importance of Customer Experience

The importance of customer experience is becoming increasingly evident in today’s economy. Customers are looking for businesses that offer a unique and memorable experience, and they are willing to pay extra for it.

Traffic managers can capitalize on this trend by creating a positive customer experience from the moment a visitor arrives at their website. This includes things like having a user-friendly design, providing helpful content, and answering questions quickly.

More Focus on Employee Engagement

Employee engagement has become an important topic in recent years, as employers have realized the impact it can have on their bottom line.

Traffic managers can play a key role in employee engagement by ensuring that employees feel valued and appreciated. This can be done through things like regular feedback and recognition, as well as by creating a workplace culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork.

How to Become a Traffic Manager

A traffic manager career can be a great way to start your career in transportation. It’s a chance to learn about all aspects of the industry, from planning and designing roads and highways to managing traffic flow on those roads. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with other professionals in related fields, such as civil engineers, planners, and geographers.

As you progress in your career, you may want to specialize in one area or another. For example, you could focus on planning and designing roadways, or on managing traffic flow on those roads. You could also choose to specialize in a particular type of transportation, such as railroads, buses, or trucks.

Advancement Prospects

Traffic managers are often promoted to positions with more responsibility, such as transportation manager or distribution manager. Some traffic managers move into related fields, such as logistics or supply chain management. With experience, traffic managers may advance to top management positions in their company.

Traffic Manager Job Description Example

At [CompanyX], we are always looking for ways to improve the flow of traffic and keep our customers moving. We are searching for an experienced traffic manager to join our team and help us achieve our goals. The ideal candidate will have experience with traffic management, transportation engineering, and/or city planning. He or she will be responsible for developing and implementing traffic plans, monitoring traffic flow, and coordinating with other agencies to resolve traffic issues. The successful candidate will be a creative problem solver with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the liaison between the client and internal teams, managing expectations and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work
• Understand the client’s business objectives and develop strategies to achieve them
• Oversee all aspects of project management, from conception to completion, within budget and on schedule
• Write creative briefs that clearly articulate project goals and requirements
• Traffic all projects through the agency, working with team members to ensure accuracy and timeliness of deliverables
• Monitor project progress and make adjustments as needed to keep projects on track
• Ensure that all projects meet or exceed quality standards set by the client and the agency
• Proactively identify potential risks and issues, and develop contingency plans to mitigate them
• Escalate issues to senior management as needed
• Prepare reports for clients that summarize project progress and results
• Stay up to date on industry trends and best practices, and share relevant information with team members
• Maintain positive relationships with clients, vendors, and other agencies

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field
• 5+ years experience in traffic management or a similar role
• Strong project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, with aptitude to learn new software and systems
• Solid organizational skills and multitasking ability

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience with web design and development
• Familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) principles
• Project management certification