Regional Lead - Southern California Land Development

BKF Engineers; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary range: $175,000–$264,000

Profit sharing & 401k

Generous paid time off

9 Paid holidays

Flexible schedules

Education reimbursement

Job summary

BKF seeks a Regional Lead to guide operations and client relationships across California regions, reporting to the Land Development Practice Lead. The role emphasizes strategic execution, team development, and market expansion while ensuring delivery excellence and financial performance.

Travel to regional offices and sites will be required. With 8–10 years in Land Development and a California PE preferred, you will shape growth, mentor staff, and collaborate with sector leadership to meet

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in Land Development design with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of regional market conditions and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional Land Development strategic plans.
• Lead and mentor a regional team including Area/Discipline Leads.
• Manage key regional client relationships and growth opportunities.
• Oversee project delivery, quality, and client satisfaction across the region.
• Assist in regional budget planning and monitor KPIs and profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Client engagement

Business development

Strategic planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering/Construction Management

Job description

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you'll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

The Regional Lead is responsible for leading and managing operations, client relationships, and team development across their assigned geography. This role reports directly to the Land Development Practice Lead and plays a critical role in executing the firm's strategic goals at the regional level. With a strong understanding of the region's market dynamics, client needs, and regulatory landscape, the Regional Lead ensures excellence in project delivery, client service, talent development, and financial performance. This role fosters collaboration across teams and offices and serves as a key connector between local teams and sector leadership.

Responsibilities

• Regional Strategy & Execution:
  • Contribute to the development of the Land Development strategic plan. Translate the overall Land Development Business Sector-level strategic plans into actionable regional initiatives
  • Identify and pursue growth opportunities within the region, including new clients, service lines, and geographic expansion
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing regional team, which may include Area and/or Discipline Leads
  • Support succession planning and talent acquisition in alignment with sector and firmwide goals
  • Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Client Engagement & Market Growth:
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for key regional clients
  • Represent the firm at local industry events, conferences, and public agency meetings
  • Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing to shape go-to-market strategies and major pursuit plans
  • Take a lead role in developing and securing new business opportunities. Play a key role in achieving overall Land Development sales and bookings goals
  • Develop and lead growth initiatives at the regional level in alignment with the overall strategic plan
• Project Oversight & Delivery:
  • Provide oversight and guidance on project execution to ensure quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction
  • Support teams in navigating complex technical and regulatory challenges
  • Drive consistency in project delivery by leveraging best practices and standardized tools
  • Serve as Project Manager on multiple large projects or a portfolio of clients within the region
• Operational & Financial Management:
  • Support the development of the regional budget and business plan in coordination with the Practice Lead
  • Monitor backlog, revenue, and operating margin performance across the region
  • Monitor regional performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed to meet or exceed KPIs
  • Responsible for meeting or exceeding performance KPIs including, but not limited to, utilization and project profitability
  • Optimize resource allocation to ensure operational efficiency and project success

Requirements

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in Land Development design, with at least 3 years in a leadership role
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects
• Strong understanding of regional market conditions, client needs, and regulatory frameworks
• Demonstrated success in business development and client relationship management
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Highly organized, analytical, and results oriented.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven consulting environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support regional offices, project sites, or client engagements
• Able to work cooperatively with leadership and other key stakeholders within BKF
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a closely related field is required.
• PE license in California is preferred

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $175,000.00 - $264,000.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k
• Generous paid time off packages
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Flexible schedules
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.