Land Development Service Director

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB is hiring a growth-focused, entrepreneurial engineer for the role of Land Development Service Director in the I-64 Corridor, from Richmond to Hampton Roads. The successful candidate will drive VHB's growth in the Corridor, collaborating with project managers, clients, and teams across project life cycles to ensure smooth delivery and client satisfaction. Responsibilities include project delivery, mentoring junior staff, client interaction, and supporting business development to increase market share. The ideal candidate should have a positive attitude, excellent communication skills, ability to handle multiple tasks, and coordinate with professionals across various disciplines.

The location of this position is flexible along the I-64 corridor and can be in VHB's Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, or Richmond offices. The work environment will involve frequent travel along the I-64 corridor, off-site meetings, clients, and VHB offices.

General Responsibilities

Lead daily operations across Land Development, including Team Leaders and senior technical staff, fostering a positive, collaborative environment; and advancing VHB's Generational Company philosophy.
• Strengthen our OneVHB culture by building local prominence through continuous growth and financial success of their team.
• Monitor team backlog in relation to the Business Plan, develop workload plans, and identify potential work-sharing opportunities.
• Review proposals (scope development/cost estimates/contracts) before final approval by I-64 Operational/Development Manager.
• Actively participate in Project Review meetings to manage financial expectations, bolster client relations, and explore project creation opportunities.
• Drive quality within the group and ensure that QA/QC processes are implemented on all projects.
• Perform lead discipline role in proposals and presentations.
• Analyze technical problems, assesses the feasibility of proposed techniques and procedures and devises new approaches and solutions.
• Develop, mentor, coordinate, and grow technical staff.
• Implements recruiting, retention, and training strategies and skills development plans.
• Implement change management strategies related to shifts towards innovative technologies and processes, leveraging data, and the integration of sustainability into all projects.
• Foster innovation and a culture of intellectual curiosity; recognize innovative ideas and finds ways to implement them.

Technical Responsibilities

• Direct, oversee and lead project delivery teams and provide technical guidance for the design of land development projects.
• Drive the vision for growth of Land Development Service Line.
• Advise on project approach, scope, cost, and schedule, identifying opportunities for innovative solutions and strategic teaming partnerships.
• Ensure consistency of standards (e.g., design details, plan formats, specifications, project documentation procedures) and VHB's best practices (e.g., project initiation, kick off meetings, procedures, templates).
• Promote continuous quality monitoring and improvement. Monitors quality standards and paractices.
• Ensure team awareness of regulatory changes, best practices, and lessons learned
• Attend meetings with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to establish their needs and discuss design/permitting issues.
• Serve as Project Executive, Project Manager or Design Manager on a high visibility projects across I-64 as needed.
• Provide oversight, direction, management, mentoring and ongoing open communication to staff.

Business Development Responsibilities

• Assist as needed with business development and growth of land development service line along the I-64 Corridor, including annual planning, client relations, and securing projects.
• Leverage relationships to develop and maintain trusted adviser relationships with key clients.
• Provide strategic guidance during the project pursuit process, including opportunity identification, scope development, risk identification, and defining project goals.
• Make recommendations for go/no-go and partnering pursuit decisions.
• Be highly externally visible at conferences and industry forums, including involvement in professional associations, conferences and boards to strengthen VHB's design reputation.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent communication, listening, presentation and facilitation skills
• Leads with courage, energy, optimism and drive demonstrating a strong work ethic and dedication to VHB, our clients and employees
• Exhibits open-mindedness, innovation, and flexibility with a need for continuous learning, improvement, and professional growth.
• Knowledge with preparation and review of Engineering Plans and Specifications to ensure all aspects of project implementation are clearly conveyed
• Must demonstrate superior ability in collaborative problem solving with stakeholders, clients, and teammates.
• Strong track record of overseeing and delivering complex land development projects.
• Possess strong engineering judgment with a strive for quality and financial excellence.
• Desire to mentor and train design staff in evaluating project risks, client expectations and overall successful project delivery.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Civil Engineering with at least 10 years of post-graduate experience.
• Virginia Professional Engineer licensure required.
• Technical proficiency and ability to understand and navigate complex projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with diverse clients and project teams.
• Ability to maintain a high-level view of project and client goals while providing strategic guidance.
• Solid business management skills, including planning, budgeting, and risk management.
• Objective mindset to identify project and staff challenges and develop appropriate solutions.
• Knowledge of the regulatory processes in Virginia. Understanding of local, state, and federal permitting.

We are VHB! We're an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment.

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes:

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30 offices on the East Coast. We're growing, and we hope you'll join us!

VHB is a proud Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion-supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. All individuals receive consideration for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination for race/ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, or any other basis protected by law.

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