RHH202519

Project Manager – Land Development

Land Development Engineering

THE COMPANY

Our client is a well-established employee-owned consulting engineering, planning, and surveying firm specializing in land development, infrastructure, and transportation projects with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. They offer a comprehensive suite of services, including land development design and engineering for commercial, residential, and institutional projects such as retail centers, subdivisions, condominiums, schools, and healthcare facilities, as well as full pavement management and landscape architectural services. While headquartered in Michigan, the firm serves clients in multiple states across the country. The firm is 100% employee-owned through an ESOP, and “ownership pride” is central to the culture, fostering shared responsibility, high engagement, and shared rewards.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Project Manager – Land Development role is an excellent opportunity for a self-starting, highly motivated professional who wants to lead complex projects and help shape growing markets. The firm promotes ongoing training, mentorship, and career paths, positioning itself as a place for long-term growth with diverse, challenging projects and meaningful advancement opportunities. The firm’s collaborative, collegial, and multidisciplinary team approach is grounded in deep experience, executed with innovation, and delivered with integrity.

This position reports to the Senior Vice President/Director of Land Development.

JOB DEFINITION

The Project Manager – Land Development is a key role within the Land Development team, responsible for delivering advanced, specialized engineering and project management services with minimal supervision. This individual will lead active projects in the K–12 public school market while also driving strategic growth into new sectors, including health care, senior living, and private commercial, retail, and office developments, as well as other emerging opportunities. The Project Manager will oversee the full lifecycle of land development projects—from proposal and planning stages, through design, permitting, and construction—ensuring regulatory compliance, budget adherence, schedule performance, and quality delivery. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, clear and persuasive communication, effective negotiation, and sophisticated stakeholder management skills.

SKILLS

Summary of Key Responsibilities:

The Project Manager – Land Development will manage projects in a fast-paced environment to achieve targeted profitability while meeting all deadlines, maintaining high technical quality, and supporting strong client satisfaction.

  • Oversee a high-volume portfolio of concurrent civil land development projects across multiple project types, sizes, and stages from inception through completion, aligning scope, budget, and schedule with client objectives.
  • Lead the approvals process for planning, zoning, and site plan applications required for property development, coordinating submissions and responses with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop and oversee project budgets, schedules, and feasibility analyses throughout each phase, proactively identifying variances and recommending corrective actions.
  • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental and zoning laws. Review technical designs and deliverables before submission to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison among local agencies, property owners, engineers, architects, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
  • Prepare concise project reports, track progress against milestones, and proactively identify and resolve issues, risks, and conflicts during development.
  • Contract administration and change-order management for design and construction services.
  • Maintain, deepen, and expand existing client relationships through consistent communication, responsiveness, and value-added solutions.
  • Actively participate in business development with existing and new clients, including identifying opportunities, shaping solutions, and developing and writing competitive proposals for new projects.
  • Market the firm’s land development capabilities to owners, architects, and other decision-makers in targeted growth sectors.
  • Organize and lead client presentations and interview teams to win new work; develop workload forecasting tools and project schedules to ensure resources, budgets, and delivery commitments are effectively managed.
  • Participate in industry conferences, professional associations, and community events to represent the firm, build relationships, and stay current on market and regulatory trends.

 

Leadership and Management:

  • Lead and coordinate project teams of engineers, designers, and technical staff, providing clear direction and accountability.
  • Partner with department leadership to recruit top talent and manage and develop existing team members to support growth and succession needs.
  • Provide ongoing mentorship, technical guidance, and training for junior staff to build team capability and support professional development.

BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE

  • 5+ years of experience in land development projects required; 10+ years preferred, with increasing responsibility in project and client management.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently as a project manager while collaborating effectively within a broader land development team.
  • Driven by a proven get-it-done mentality, strong work ethic, and a deep passion for coaching and mentoring others to achieve their full potential.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit with excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills to lead diverse teams and coordinate with external partners and clients.
  • Strong skills in planning, scheduling, budgeting, and cost control, including preparing pro formas, tracking variances, and reporting financial performance.
  • Solid understanding of end-to-end land development processes, including zoning, entitlements, permitting, infrastructure design, utilities, environmental constraints, and local codes.
  • Ability to analyze maps, surveys, and technical plans and translate them into clear project scopes, proposals, and budgets.
  • Proven proficiency in risk management, negotiation, and practical problem-solving on active projects.

 

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a current PE license in the State of Michigan are required.
If you have these qualifications and are looking for a challenging career, please submit your Resume using the button below.
Nicole Regula
VP, Executive Recruitment Operations & Lead Consultant
Kate Scott
Director, Executive Recruitment
SUBMIT RESUME