Senior Practice Leader

LVI Associates; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Opportunity in Knoxville seeks an experienced Project Manager/Professional Engineer to lead and expand its presence in East Tennessee. This hybrid role combines project delivery, client engagement, business development, and team growth across municipal and infrastructure sectors.

The successful candidate will leverage local market knowledge and relationships to win work while delivering complex projects and mentoring staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in municipal, water, wastewater, stormwater, or infrastructure engineering.
• Proven success in managing projects and client relationships.
• Existing industry network within Tennessee or the surrounding region.
• Experience balancing project management with business development responsibilities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with senior leadership and technical teams.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Manage municipal, water, wastewater, stormwater, and infrastructure projects from planning through delivery.
• Maintain responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with local municipalities, utilities, agencies, and industry partners.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities.
• Lead proposal preparation, interviews, and strategic pursuits.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Support staff recruitment, mentoring, and professional development.
• Act as a regional leader and representative within the Knoxville market.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Business development

Project management

Communication

Organisational skills

Team mentoring

Independent working

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Job description

Confidential Opportunity

An established engineering and consulting firm is seeking an experienced Project Manager / Professional Engineer to lead and expand its presence across the Knoxville and East Tennessee market. This is a high-impact leadership position combining project delivery, client engagement, business development, and team growth responsibilities.

Position Overview

This role is ideal for a professional with strong local market knowledge, established industry relationships, and a proven ability to win work while delivering successful projects. The successful candidate will help grow regional operations, strengthen client partnerships, and serve as a trusted advisor to public and private sector clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage municipal, water, wastewater, stormwater, and infrastructure projects from planning through delivery.
• Maintain responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with local municipalities, utilities, agencies, and industry partners.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities.
• Lead proposal preparation, interviews, and strategic pursuits.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Support staff recruitment, mentoring, and professional development.
• Act as a regional leader and representative within the Knoxville market.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in municipal, water, wastewater, stormwater, or infrastructure engineering.
• Demonstrated success managing projects and client relationships.
• Existing industry network within Tennessee or the surrounding region.
• Experience balancing project management with business development responsibilities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with senior leadership and technical teams.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) licence in Tennessee or ability to obtain through comity.
• Experience leading regional growth initiatives or building new client relationships.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid working environment with flexibility available. Travel throughout East Tennessee and surrounding areas may be required to support project delivery, client meetings, and business development activities.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Opportunity to play a key role in expanding a growing regional practice.
• Significant autonomy and visibility within the organisation.
• Exposure to complex and impactful infrastructure projects.
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.
• Competitive compensation, performance incentives, retirement benefits, healthcare coverage, and generous paid time off.