Strategic Entitlements Director, Land Development

LJA Engineering, Inc.; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Options

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

Family Support

Education Support

Referral Bonuses

Community Impact

Professional Development

Career Growth

Fun Culture

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Nashville seeks a Project Director to lead land development projects. This client-facing role involves managing relationships with stakeholders and ensuring project compliance with strategic goals. Candidates must have over 20 years of experience in the Middle Tennessee land development market and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. The company offers a culture of support, flexibility, and significant employee benefits to foster professional growth and work-life balance.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in land development entitlement and engineering in Middle Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Lead land development due diligence and entitlement activities.
• Strategize and problem-solve as a trusted advisor.
• Review engineering deliverables and cost estimates.

Skills

Effective communication

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering

Licensed Professional Engineer in Tennessee

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, and a marketing department 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 Project Director at LJA Land Development, you will be responsible for leading the entitlement process for land development projects, serving as the primary point of contact for clients throughout the Middle Tennessee region. This client-facing role is responsible for cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders while guiding projects through strategic planning, entitlement approvals, and overall development coordination. Key priorities include driving strategic initiatives, ensuring high-quality deliverables, and proactively resolving challenges to keep projects on schedule and aligned with client goals.

A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT INCLUDE:

• Lead land development due diligence and entitlement activities for large master planned communities. Strategize, problem-solve, and serve as a trusted advisor to the client.
• Meeting with cities, counties and local agencies during the entitlement stage of a project.
• Review of preliminary engineering deliverables including cost estimates during the entitlements and due diligence phase of a project.
• Build relationships and grow business in the single-family land development business.
• Lead business development activities by marketing to existing clients as well as identifying, and marketing to new clients.
• Participate in quarterly Operations Meetings with Business Sector Leaders, the President, and the Business Solutions team.
• Actively participate in professional associations and civic organizations within the community

REQUIRED EDUCATION/LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from an ABET accredited college or university.
• Registration (or ability to obtain) as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Tennessee.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 20+ years’ experience in land development entitlement and engineering in the Middle Tennessee market.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both oral and written skill.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships

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.

• Flexible Work Options: Schedules to help you balance life and work.
• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and 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.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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