POSITION OVERVIEW: As a Project Director at LJA Engineering in our Transportation Sector, will lead the group's operations and Business Development within the Houston and Texas market area. Responsible for continuing to grow the TXDOT - NEPA service line within the market area and lead and manage a team of Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and junior staff, including mentoring, training, and performance reviews. Oversee large, complex, and/or high-profile projects, ensuring completion within scope, schedule, and budget. Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and report formats; review and edit technical reports. Serve as primary client liaison, providing consulting services, managing client relationships, negotiations, collections, and issue resolution. Support business development efforts, including proposal preparation, budgeting, marketing event participation, and growth with existing and potential clients. Accountable for the financial performance of the organization unit, including profitability, expenses, revenue forecasting, projections, and budget development in collaboration with Vice Presidents. Review and approve timesheets, expense reports, budgets, invoices, and billings. Attend quarterly division meetings, client meetings, and marketing events as required. Assist executive leadership with long-term strategic planning and organizational goals. Serve as a technical authority within the department, applying advanced theories, principles, and practices in the assigned area. This role serves as the department's senior authority and may assume any operational leadership role as needed.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Interviewing, managing, and training additional staff as the need arises to add such staff.
• Coordinating with external scientists, engineers, and other regulators, providing technical assistance to engineers and program managers for project design alternatives, and maintaining the project standards as per the guidelines by regulatory authorities
• Preparation of and QAQC of technical reports, preparation of progress reports in accordance with other organizational operations
• Coordinating with suppliers, fieldwork coordinators, subcontractors, and other field staff, supervising the fieldwork for accomplishing the project work for the organization
• Preparation of Level of Effort estimates and scopes of work, coordination and management of subconsultants LOE and scopes, preparation of proposals and subconsultant agreements
• Managing the contract discussions with third-party contractors, local planning authorities, and other project-specific personnel for carrying out the project responsibilities efficiently
• Maintain and utilize up to data guidance documents and tool kits to be used in compliance with all regulatory entities for which technical reports and NEPA documents are prepared by the organization.
• Developing and delivering work tasks for transportation projects and studies including NEPA documents, data collection, research, existing conditions analysis and documentation.
• Participate in the development and execution of stakeholder and public involvement activities associated with transportation projects.
• Business development activities related to the pursuit of TxDOT Schematic, Environmental, Public Involvement, PS&E, and studies related transportation planning projects including client marketing, proposal preparation and presentations.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Bachelor of Science, Master's preferred, in one of the following or related fields: Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology, Rangeland Ecology, Ecology, Soil Science, Geography
• Must be pre-certified with TxDOT in a number of NEPA and other categories

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Working knowledge of NEPA processes including permitting and mitigation.
• Strong communication skills and Ability to build strong relationships
• 20+ years of experience with TxDOT and other local agencies in the Houston Region and across the state of Texas.

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.

• 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.