Practice Leader - Land Development
PRACTICE LEADER - LAND DEVELOPMENT - SOUTHFIELD, MI
About the Company Our client is a nationally recognized engineering, planning, and design consultancy that is 100% employee-owned. They're expanding their Land Development presence in Metro Detroit. Founded by three engineers in a single office, the firm has grown organically into one of the country's leading design consultancies, with more than 10,000 people across 170+ offices nationwide. It has grown from within rather than through acquisition, and ownership is spread widely across employees rather than held by any one individual. The culture is a genuine differentiator: the firm has been a long-running fixture on Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For" and ranks near the top of ENR's Top 500 Design Firms. More than 90% of its work comes from repeat clients.
About Your Manager You'll work alongside the firm's regional leadership with the backing of a large national Land Development platform. Leadership is relationship-led and quality-first, and they give talented people the autonomy and support to build something of their own.
Position Overview This isn't a pure project management role. It's a market-building opportunity for a senior civil engineer who wants ownership over client strategy, team development, technical direction, and the growth of the local Land Development practice. You'll stay closely involved in the technical work while leading business development across private-sector site and land development in Metro Detroit and the wider Michigan market. You'll shape the local growth plan, win and deepen client relationships, and hire and mentor engineers as the team grows, with the resources of a national firm behind you and a clear path to ownership.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead the growth strategy for the Metro Detroit Land Development practice, combining technical leadership with business development
- Win and develop client relationships with private developers, owners, architects, land use attorneys, and approval agencies
- Provide senior technical oversight on site layout, grading, drainage, utilities, stormwater, paving, and permitting
- Oversee civil and site projects from due diligence and concept planning through design, approvals, permitting, and construction support
- Manage project financials, resourcing, quality, schedules, and client communication with a focus on profitability
- Recruit, mentor, and develop engineers and designers as the practice grows
Qualifications
- 12+ years of civil engineering, design, and management experience in private land development or civil/site engineering
- Active PE license with a strong technical foundation
- Seller-doer profile: able to win work, keep clients, oversee delivery, and grow a team
- Established client base in private development
- Commercial awareness around scope, fees, budgets, project profitability, and staff utilization
Preferred Experience
- Proficiency in Civil 3D
- A book of business that would follow you into a new role
- A leadership style suited to building a lasting local practice rather than simply managing projects
Why Join
- Ownership: You'll join a 100% employee-owned firm with a clear path to ownership
- Practice building: You'll shape the local growth plan and build your own team from the ground up
- Platform: You'll have national resources, reputation, and a strong repeat-client base behind you
- Technical leadership: You'll stay hands-on with technical direction while leading business development
- Culture: Fortune and ENR consistently recognize the firm for how it treats its people and delivers its work
- Long-term upside: Your pay is tied to the practice you build, not just the hours you bill
Benefits
- Base salary of $180,000 - $250,000
- Performance-based bonus program with strong long-term financial upside
- Annual profit-sharing on top of a market-leading 2-to-1 401(k) match
- Medical coverage from as little as $0 per paycheck, plus free virtual and text-based care
- Flexible schedule, including a standard half-day Friday
- Student loan option that lets eligible employees put contributions toward their loans while still receiving the full 401(k) match
- Family-building and fertility benefits, company-paid life and disability cover, and a lifestyle spending account
- Personal leave that accrues year over year, plus floating holidays
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.