Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an ABET accredited institution.
Licensed Professional Engineer (or ability to obtain) in Tennessee.
20+ years of experience in land development entitlement and engineering in Middle Tennessee.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
Responsibilities
Lead the entitlement process for land development projects.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Drive strategic initiatives to ensure high-quality deliverables.
Resolve project challenges to stay on schedule and aligned with client goals.
Meet with local agencies during the entitlement stage.
Review engineering deliverables and cost estimates during the due diligence phase.
Participate in business development and marketing activities.
Benefits
Flexible work schedules for work-life balance.
Generous time off policies including PTO and holiday closures.
Comprehensive health and dental coverage options, including mental health support.
Paid maternity and parental leave for family support.
Tuition reimbursement and in-house training opportunities.
Referral bonuses for bringing in new talent.
Company-sponsored volunteer days for community impact.
Memberships for professional development and networking.
Opportunities for internal mobility and career advancement.
A fun workplace culture with social events and team-building activities.
Full Job Description
POSITION OVERVIEW: As a Project Director at LJA Land Development, you will be responsible for leading the entitlement process for land development projects, serving as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the Middle Tennessee region. This client-facing role is responsible for cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders while guiding projects through strategic planning, entitlement approvals, and overall development coordination. Key priorities include driving strategic initiatives, ensuring high-quality deliverables, and proactively resolving challenges to keep projects on schedule and aligned with client goals.
A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:
Lead land development due diligence and entitlement activities for large master planned communities. Strategize, problem-solve, and serve as a trusted advisor to the client.
Meeting with cities, counties and local agencies during the entitlement stage of a project.
Review of preliminary engineering deliverables including cost estimates during the entitlements and due diligence phase of a project.
Build relationships and grow business in the single-family land development business.
Lead business development activities by marketing to existing clients as well as identifying, and marketing to new clients.
Participate in quarterly Operations Meetings with Business Sector Leaders, the President, and the Business Solutions team.
Actively participate in professional associations and civic organizations within the community
REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:
Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from an ABET accredited college or university.
Registration (or ability to obtain) as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Tennessee.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
20+ years' experience in land development entitlement and engineering in the Middle Tennessee market.
Ability to effectively communicate, both oral and written skill.
Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships
LEVEL UP WITH LJA
At LJA, we're 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we're building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.
Flexible Work Options: Schedules to help you balance life and work.
Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year's.
Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.
To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA Engineering, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.
About LJA Engineering Inc
LJA Engineering is a multidisciplinary engineering firm that provides civil, structural, and transportation engineering services to public and private clients. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has offices throughout Texas and Louisiana. LJA Engineering's services include planning, design, and construction management for infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, airports, and water and wastewater systems.
