Project Manager – Civil Engineering – Higher Education Market Sector Leader

Thomas & Hutton; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Health, dental, vision, and Rx

401(k)

PTO and holidays

Tuition assistance

Employee-owned culture

Job summary

Thomas & Hutton, a private employee-owned firm, seeks a Higher Education Market Sector Leader in the Southeast. You will lead campus planning, infrastructure, and capital improvement initiatives, building relationships with colleges and universities while guiding major projects from pursuit to delivery.

The role requires a PE license, 10+ years of relevant experience, and a strategic, collaborative approach to expanding our service line across multiple offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
• PE license required.
• 10+ years of experience in consulting, project management, business development, or higher education-related work.
• Experience working with colleges, universities, or institutional clients preferred.
• Understanding of higher education planning, procurement processes, capital improvement programs, funding strategies, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery.
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, lead pursuits, and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication, presentation, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the growth and development of Thomas & Hutton's Higher Education Market Sector throughout the Southeast.
• Build and strengthen relationships with colleges, universities, campus planners, facilities leaders, and higher education stakeholders.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new opportunities with higher education institutions.
• Lead proposal development, pursuit strategies, presentations, interviews, and contract negotiations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout campus planning, design, and implementation efforts.
• Provide senior-level leadership on campus development, infrastructure, planning, and capital improvement projects.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to client needs.
• Guide clients through planning initiatives, procurement processes, stakeholder engagement, funding opportunities, and project implementation strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Business development

Communication

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Higher Education Market Sector Leader

Help shape the future of higher education campuses across the Southeast. At Thomas & Hutton, you'll lead and grow our Higher Education Market Sector, partnering with colleges and universities to deliver impactful campus planning, infrastructure, and site development projects. This unique leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced Professional Engineer (PE) with a passion for relationship building, strategic growth, and client service.

What You'll Do

• Lead the growth and development of Thomas & Hutton's Higher Education Market Sector throughout the Southeast
• Build and strengthen relationships with colleges, universities, campus planners, facilities leaders, and other higher education stakeholders
• Identify, pursue, and secure new opportunities with higher education institutions
• Lead proposal development, pursuit strategies, presentations, interviews, and contract negotiations
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout campus planning, design, and implementation efforts
• Provide senior-level leadership on campus development, infrastructure, planning, and capital improvement projects
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to client needs
• Guide clients through planning initiatives, procurement processes, stakeholder engagement efforts, funding opportunities, and project implementation strategies
• Represent Thomas & Hutton at industry conferences, client meetings, and professional organizations
• Support business development efforts through market awareness, strategic planning, and relationship management
• Mentor team members and foster collaboration across offices and disciplines

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• 10+ years of experience in consulting, project management, business development, or higher education-related work
• Experience working with colleges, universities, or institutional clients preferred
• Understanding of higher education planning, procurement processes, capital improvement programs, funding strategies, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, lead pursuits, and manage multidisciplinary teams
• Strong communication, presentation, and leadership skills
• Experience with either:
  • Campus infrastructure, utilities, stormwater management, transportation systems, permitting, and site development; or
  • Campus planning, site design, open space systems, pedestrian connectivity, placemaking, sustainability initiatives, and student experience
• Ability to connect client needs with Thomas & Hutton's broad range of engineering, planning, landscape architecture, surveying, and consulting services
• Strategic mindset with a collaborative, client-focused approach

Why Thomas & Hutton?

• Competitive salary plus performance bonus
• Condensed work schedule for better work-life balance
• Top-tier health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• 401(k), generous PTO, holidays, and tuition assistance
• Thomas & Hutton University and leadership development opportunities
• Employee-owned culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and growth
• Opportunity to build and lead a strategic market sector with significant growth potential

Schedule:

Client-facing position with regular travel throughout the Southeast. Occasional evening and weekend meetings, conferences, and events may be required.

At Thomas & Hutton, our mission of "Building Relationships and Solutions for Success" shapes how we serve our clients, strengthen our communities, and invest in our team. As a private employee-owned firm consistently recognized as a Top Workplace and recipient of PSMJ's Build a Better World Award, we're known not only for exceptional projects but for how we treat people and our communities.

When you join Thomas & Hutton, you'll discover a career with real purpose. We equip you with cutting-edge tools, technology, and software to work efficiently and excel. Our career development programs, including PaTHways and T&H University, combine approachable leadership and a collaborative environment to support your professional growth at every stage. Pair with industry-leading benefits, genuine work-life balance, and meaningful opportunities to give back through T&H Helping Hands, and it's clear why so many professionals choose to grow their careers here.

Learn more at www.thomasandhutton.com.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this position. Thomas & Hutton is a Drug-Free Workplace and an E-Verify participant.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.