Sr. Vice President - Public Works

LJA Engineering, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

Educational Support

Referral Bonuses

Professional Development

Community Impact initiatives

Fun culture

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Houston seeks a Senior Vice President to drive growth in the Public Works and Water Sector. The ideal candidate will lead business development, manage projects, and mentor teams, ensuring technical excellence across various civil engineering services. Candidates should have over 15 years of experience in public works, a P.E. license, and strong leadership capabilities. This position offers a chance to influence community infrastructure while being part of an employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in public works or civil engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) status required.
• Proven P&L management experience.
• Experience managing P&L and financial performance of a sector.
• Proficiency with industry tools: AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS, hydraulic modeling.

Responsibilities

• Drive business growth and client development for public works projects.
• Optimize departmental financial performance and budgets.
• Mentor teams and cultivate a culture of innovation.
• Mentor professionals and develop future leaders across teams.
• Oversee design, studies, and construction documentation with quality and compliance.
• Represent the company to C-suite clients and expand market presence.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic growth

Client relationship management

Attention to detail

Excellent communication skills

CAD/GIS/hydraulic software

Mentoring & people development

Strong written & verbal comms

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

GIS

Hydraulic modeling software

Job description

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands‑on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

WHAT MAKES LJA DIFFERENT

At LJA, our employee‑owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee‑owned. Client‑focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in‑house training, & a marketing team specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Senior Vice President at LJA Public Works, you will lead and shape the growth of our Public Works and Water Sector. You will drive business development, marketing, and the strategic management of projects and teams delivering civil engineering services across water distribution, wastewater, stormwater, drainage, streets, and municipal infrastructure. In this role, you will ensure technical excellence, optimize resource management, and mentor our professionals to reach their full potential. You will serve as a key driver in expanding LJA’s public works capabilities, fostering client relationships, and strengthening our position as a trusted partner in the communities we serve.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE

• Driving business growth and market leadership by spearheading client development strategies for major public works and water engineering programs, including large‑scale municipal and utility projects.
• Owning departmental financial performance, collaborating with the executive team to set, monitor, and optimize budgets, forecasts, and P&L outcomes for the sector.
• Strategically allocating resources and overseeing operations to maximize efficiency, profitability, and technical excellence across all public works and water initiatives.
• Leading, inspiring, and developing high‑performing teams, establishing performance metrics, mentoring future leaders, and cultivating a culture of accountability and innovation.
• Ensuring delivery excellence, overseeing complex engineering studies, master planning, design, and construction documentation with uncompromising quality and compliance.
• Monitoring portfolio‑wide project performance, including schedules, budgets, risk management, and client satisfaction, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and contractual commitments.
• Championing innovation and market expansion, leveraging deep sector expertise to develop new service offerings, enhance technical capabilities, and expand LJA’s presence in the public works and water markets.
• Representing LJA externally, cultivating C‑suite client relationships, influencing industry trends, and positioning the company as a trusted partner in major municipal and infrastructure programs.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.)
• 15+ years of leadership experience
• 15+ years of experience in public works, municipal, or water/wastewater civil engineering projects
• Proven track record of driving strategic growth, identifying and capturing high‑value public works and water opportunities, expanding market presence, and consistently exceeding revenue and profitability targets.
• Proven experience managing P&L and financial performance of a business unit or sector
• Proficiency with industry‑relevant software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS, hydraulic modeling software)
• Strong attention to detail, exceptional work ethic, and proven ability to mentor others
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

IDEALLY, YOU SHOULD ALSO HAVE

• Experience with “Big Water” projects, including large drainage programs and major water/wastewater plants

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, & a full office closure from Christmas to New Year.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity / 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.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA Engineering, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA’s property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA’s Human Resources Talent Department.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.