Senior Land Development Project Manager – Civil Engineering & Private Development

Senior Project Manager (Land Development)
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Work Arrangement: Full-Time
Salary: $ 145,000 – $160,000 annually

About the Organization

Our client is a leading engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative solutions for land development, infrastructure, and community growth. With a strong presence in the region, the organization partners with private developers, public agencies, and community stakeholders to deliver high-quality projects that shape the future of growing communities.

The company is committed to technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth. Employees are encouraged to take ownership of impactful projects, develop their expertise, and build long-term career opportunities within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager (Land Development) to lead and expand land development operations in the Phoenix market and surrounding Arizona regions.

This position will oversee a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects while providing leadership to engineering teams, managing client relationships, and supporting business development initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise, project management experience, and established industry relationships within the Arizona land development market.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Management

• Serve as the primary client contact throughout the project lifecycle, providing strategic guidance on design, project scope, schedule, budget, and delivery.

• Manage complex land development projects from initial site evaluation and due diligence through design, permitting, approvals, and construction support.

• Coordinate project teams to ensure quality, efficiency, technical excellence, and successful project completion.

• Monitor project progress, budgets, schedules, and deliverables while maintaining strong quality assurance and quality control practices.

Technical Oversight

• Provide expertise in land development design, including:

  • Site grading and drainage

  • Utility design

  • Stormwater management

  • Entitlements and regulatory approvals

  • Site planning and development standards

• Review technical plans, reports, and engineering documents for accuracy and compliance.

• Support constructability reviews and provide engineering guidance during project execution.

Team Leadership & Mentoring

• Lead, mentor, and develop engineering staff, junior project managers, and technical team members.

• Establish clear expectations and promote a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team environment.

• Provide coaching and professional development opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.

Client Development & Business Growth

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, developers, public agencies, consultants, and industry partners.

• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, scope development, budgeting, and client presentations.

• Identify opportunities to expand services and strengthen long-term client partnerships.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited institution.

• Active Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Arizona.

• 10+ years of experience managing land development projects.

• Strong background in residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects, with emphasis on single-family residential communities.

• Proven experience leading project teams, managing clients, and overseeing permitting processes.

• Strong knowledge of land development design principles, engineering standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Experience mentoring and supervising technical staff and project teams.

• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established relationships with Arizona developers, architects, planners, land-use professionals, and public agencies.

• Experience with Arizona jurisdictional codes, permitting processes, and development standards.

• Business development and client relationship management experience.

• Experience with proposal writing, project scopes, and budgeting.

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of land development engineering practices.

• Experience with:

  • Entitlements

  • Site grading and drainage

  • Utility design

  • Stormwater management

  • Regulatory plan preparation

  • Construction support services

• Strong proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D.

• Ability to perform conceptual and preliminary engineering studies.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation Range: $145,000 – $160,000 annually

The organization offers a competitive compensation package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) retirement plan

• Profit-sharing opportunities

• Annual bonus potential

• Paid personal leave

• Life and disability insurance

• Professional growth and advancement opportunities

Client Requirements & Instructions:

• Must have Civil Engineering experience with an active PE license
• Must have experience managing teams of Civil Engineering Designers in an office setting
• Must have Private Firm Land Development experience
• Minimum 15+ years of experience
• Candidate should have a strong long-term career runway (approximately 20 years)
• Must live near one of the client’s offices or be willing to relocate to one of their AZ office locations
• This is not a remote position