Director of Land Development

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Director of Land Development | Raleigh, NC

VHB is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to drive project delivery and growth of our Land Development (LD) practice in North Carolina. As Director of Land Development, you will work with the Land Development team leads and office leadership to shape the future of our LD team, enhance client relationships, and deliver high-impact projects. This role involves leading project execution, mentoring staff, engaging with clients, and spearheading business development efforts to expand our market presence. The ideal candidate is an innovative problem solver with exceptional communication skills and the ability to collaborate across disciplines and offices.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Coordinate with team leads on operations, overseeing Raleigh and Charlotte LD Project Managers and technical staff while fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented environment aligned with VHB’s Generational Company philosophy.
• Strengthen VHB’s OneVHB culture by collaborating with other Land Development Leaders throughout VHB’s footprint to drive local prominence, continuous growth, and financial success.
• Develop and implement workload plans, ensuring alignment with business objectives and identifying work-sharing opportunities.
• Mentor and develop technical staff, implementing recruitment, retention, and training initiatives to build a high-performing team.
• Lead change management initiatives related to innovative technologies, data integration, and sustainability.
• Promote a culture of innovation and intellectual curiosity, recognizing and implementing impactful ideas.

Technical & Project Management

• Oversee project delivery teams, providing strategic and technical guidance for land development projects.
• Support the vision for the Land Development Service Line, ensuring excellence in design and project execution.
• Lead project approach discussions, optimizing scope, cost, and schedules while identifying innovative solutions and strategic teaming partnerships.
• Ensure adherence to VHB’s best practices, including quality assurance, project initiation, and documentation procedures.
• Keep teams informed on regulatory changes, industry best practices, and lessons learned to maintain high-quality standards.
• Represent VHB in meetings with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders, addressing project needs and permitting issues.
• Serve as Project Executive, Project Manager, or Design Manager on high-profile projects as needed.

Business Development & Client Engagement

• Lead business development efforts, securing new projects and expanding VHB’s market presence.
• Build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with key clients, leveraging connections for strategic growth.
• Provide strategic direction in project pursuits, from opportunity identification to risk assessment and goal setting.
• Drive go/no-go and partnership decisions, ensuring alignment with VHB’s long-term objectives.
• Represent VHB externally at conferences, industry forums, and professional associations to enhance our visibility and reputation.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills with a focus on mentorship and growth.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead a highly functioning land engineering team.
• Strong business acumen with experience in market expansion and client relationship management.
• Proven track record in managing and delivering complex land development projects.
• High-level problem-solving skills and the ability to drive innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Commitment to quality, financial excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse clients and cross-disciplinary teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Civil Engineering.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in land development, engineering, and team leadership.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure required
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects.
• Experience coordinating multi-discipline projects with allied professionals such as architects, engineers, and planners.
• Expertise in developing site plans, construction documents, specifications, and engineering reports.

The full-time annual base salary range for this position, located in Raleigh, NC, is $170,000 to $200,000. The base salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including geographic location, internal equity, experience, credentials, skills, education, work schedule, and other factors permitted by law. The posted salary range reflects base pay only. Additional compensation and benefits available to eligible employees are outlined in our Total Rewards Program. 

Annual base salary is one component of VHB’s Total Rewards package. In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive annual incentive compensation bonuses, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases, providing opportunities to increase earnings beyond base pay. VHB also offers a differentiating work experience, including a comprehensive benefits package that includes eligibility to participate in the VHB 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and recognition programs. 

Details on VHB’s benefits package can be found here: Benefits Checklist  

Building what’s next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, people‑driven, future‑ready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you’ll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We’re growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what’s next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.  

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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