Job Type
Full-time
Description
We are seeking a full-time
Director of Civil Engineering to join our growing Chicago, IL team and play a key leadership role in expanding our presence across the Chicagoland transportation market. This position is focused on building and sustaining strong client relationships with agencies such as IDOT, the Illinois Tollway, and CDOT, while driving strategic growth in infrastructure programs and pursuits. As Director, you will lead the delivery of complex, large-scale transportation and municipal infrastructure projects, providing both technical leadership and strategic direction. You will oversee multidisciplinary teams and ensure successful execution from planning through construction, while aligning project delivery with client goals and agency priorities. A core responsibility of this role is to serve as a trusted advisor and partner to key public-sector clients - strengthening existing relationships, proactively identifying opportunities, and positioning the firm for upcoming programs, on-call contracts, and major pursuits. You will collaborate with leadership to shape market strategy, lead capture efforts, and expand our footprint across IDOT, Tollway, and CDOT initiatives. In addition, you will mentor senior staff, build high-performing teams, and uphold excellence in quality, innovation, and delivery - ensuring our work consistently meets the highest standards and reinforces our reputation as a trusted partner in the region.
Responsibilities:- Work under general direction, translating broad organizational goals into actionable strategies for civil engineering delivery, staffing, and business performance.
- Lead civil engineering strategy and delivery in alignment with overall business goals, ensuring successful execution of complex infrastructure work.
- Lead large-scale single- and multi-discipline civil engineering projects, serving as the primary client contact and ensuring successful delivery from planning and design through construction.
- Oversee complex, high-profile infrastructure projects (including transportation, municipal, land development, and water resources), ensuring scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives are achieved.
- Drive business development efforts by building and maintaining strategic client relationships, identifying new project opportunities, and leading or supporting major pursuits and proposal development.
- Provide technical leadership in civil engineering, serving as a subject matter expert to ensure design excellence, innovation, and compliance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to group and regional growth strategies by implementing scalable processes, improving delivery efficiency, and advancing innovative engineering practices and digital tools (e.g., Civil 3D, OpenRoads, GIS).
- Support and, as needed, lead group operational activities including staffing, workload balancing, utilization monitoring, and financial performance tracking to optimize profitability and resource alignment.
- Mentor and develop senior engineers and emerging leaders in project management, technical execution, client engagement, and business development competencies.
- Monitor project financial performance, including budgets, contracts, scope changes, and accounts receivable, and will proactively address risks to project profitability and delivery success.
- Serve as a senior ambassador for the firm in the marketplace by representing the organization in client meetings, industry events, professional associations, and recruitment efforts, while fostering a positive and collaborative internal team culture.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's or master's degree in Civil Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Professional licensure and/or relevant certifications required: IL Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).
- Demonstrated progressive experience in civil engineering or related disciplines with a strong record of successful project delivery and technical expertise with IDOT, IL Tollway and or CDOT.
- Prior leadership experience, including management of teams, clients, and/or multi-discipline projects, is required.
- Proven ability to independently execute core responsibilities of a senior-level or director-level engineering role, including client engagement, project oversight, and business development.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills with the ability to lead through influence and technical credibility.
- Experience with alternative delivery is a plus.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record.
Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available for qualified candidates.
Salary: $170,000 - $240,000
Compensation is determined by various factors, including education, experience, skills, job location, internal equity, market analysis, and specific qualifications relevant to the role.
SRF Consulting Group values diverse talent and global experience. All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for new employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.