Director of Land Development

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

Director of Land Development | Long Island, NY | Hybrid

VHB is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to drive the growth and success of our Land Development practice across Long Island, NY. As Director of Land Development, you will work closely with VHB leadership and our integrated services team to shape the future of the practice, strengthen client relationships, develop our people, and deliver impactful projects throughout the Long Island marketplace.

This role will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Long Island Land Development practice, overseeing project delivery, mentoring and developing staff, expanding client relationships, and leading business development initiatives. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing VHB’s presence in the Long Island market while collaborating with colleagues across VHB’s regional and national footprint.

The ideal candidate is an established leader with strong technical expertise in civil engineering, a demonstrated ability to build and lead high-performing teams, and an understanding of the Long Island development, permitting, and regulatory environment. This individual will bring a collaborative leadership style, strong business acumen, and a passion for developing people and growing a successful practice.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for VHB’s Long Island Land Development practice, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team environment.
• Lead and support Land Development team leaders, project managers, and technical staff while promoting professional development and career growth.
• Collaborate with VHB’s regional leadership to advance local market presence, support cross-office collaboration, and identify opportunities for continued growth.
• Develop and implement staffing and workload plans that align with business objectives, project demands, and long-term growth strategies.
• Mentor, coach, and develop staff at all levels, supporting recruitment, retention, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, technical excellence, and accountability consistent with VHB’s Generational Company philosophy.
• Identify opportunities to enhance team capabilities, operational efficiencies, and collaboration across disciplines.

Technical & Project Management

• Provide strategic oversight and technical guidance for the planning, design, permitting, and delivery of land development and site/civil projects throughout Long Island and the greater New York region.
• Oversee project delivery teams, ensuring projects meet established quality, schedule, budget, and client expectations.
• Guide project approach and execution strategies, balancing technical solutions, regulatory requirements, project economics, and client objectives.
• Provide oversight of site layout, grading, drainage, utility design, erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management.
• Ensure project teams deliver high-quality plans, specifications, technical reports, and permitting documentation.
• Maintain familiarity with applicable local, county, state, and federal regulations, including evolving land use, site development, and stormwater requirements.
• Represent VHB in meetings with clients, municipal officials, regulatory agencies, utility providers, boards, commissions, and other project stakeholders.
• Support complex permitting and approval processes, helping teams navigate regulatory challenges and identify practical solutions.
• Promote adherence to VHB’s project management, quality assurance, project initiation, and financial management best practices.
• Serve as Project Delivery Leader, Project Manager, or Design Manager on key projects and strategic client accounts as needed.

Business Development & Client Engagement

• Lead business development efforts to expand VHB’s Land Development presence and market share throughout Long Island.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key clients, developers, municipalities, public agencies, and other industry partners.
• Leverage an established professional network and knowledge of the Long Island marketplace to identify and pursue strategic opportunities.
• Provide leadership in identifying, evaluating, and pursuing new work, including proposal strategy, client presentations, teaming decisions, and interview preparation.
• Drive go/no-go decisions and strategic teaming partnerships that align with VHB’s capabilities and long-term business objectives.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and introduce VHB’s integrated services across environmental, transportation, planning, geomatics, structural, and other disciplines.
• Represent VHB at industry events, professional associations, conferences, and community forums to strengthen the firm's visibility and reputation.
• Monitor market trends, client needs, and competitive activity to identify opportunities for continued practice growth.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, and inspire technical professionals.
• Proven ability to build, lead, and grow a successful land development practice.
• Strong business acumen and experience with business development, client relationship management, and market expansion.
• Extensive experience managing and delivering complex land development and site/civil projects.
• Familiarity with the Long Island development, permitting, and regulatory environment is strongly preferred.
• Established relationships with Long Island clients, municipalities, regulatory agencies, developers, and industry partners are highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of local land use approvals, site development requirements, and stormwater management regulations.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with technical oversight and project execution.
• Commitment to quality, financial performance, staff development, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines, offices, and diverse client organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Civil Engineering.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in land engineering, site/civil design, project management, and team leadership.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure required; New York State PE licensure preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex land engineering and site development projects.
• Experience navigating local, county, state, and federal permitting and approval processes.
• Familiarity with Long Island municipalities, land use regulations, and the regional development environment strongly preferred.
• Experience developing site plans, construction documents, specifications, engineering reports, and permitting applications.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating multidisciplinary projects with architects, engineers, planners, environmental professionals, and other allied disciplines.
• Strong organizational, financial, and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and competing priorities.

The full-time annual base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $210,000 if located in Long Island, NY. 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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