Job at a glance
Job Title: Civil Engineering Manager Job Description This role offers an exceptional leadership opportunity for an entrepreneurial land development professional who wants to build and grow a new market from the ground up. The Civil Engineering Manager will serve as the lead representative in Ohio, developing client relationships, expanding a project portfolio, and ultimately building and leading a local engineering team.
Initially, this person will collaborate closely with established offices to support existing projects and clients while actively pursuing new business opportunities throughout Central Ohio and surrounding markets. As the Columbus office grows, the Civil Engineering Manager will play a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and managing local staff, combining strong technical land development expertise with client-facing leadership, business development acumen, and a passion for growing high-performing teams.
Responsibilities Serve as the lead civil engineering professional for the Columbus office and act as the primary technical authority for local land development projects. Develop and execute a strategic growth plan for the Ohio market, aligning local initiatives with broader company objectives. Build and maintain strong relationships with developers, contractors, architects, municipalities, and other project stakeholders across Central Ohio.
Identify and pursue new land development opportunities, including private, commercial, industrial, and institutional projects. Establish and strengthen the firm’s presence within the Columbus development community through consistent engagement and high-quality project delivery. Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering staff as the local office expands, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented team culture.
Lead the planning, design, and execution of land development projects from initial concept through construction completion. Oversee site layout, grading, stormwater management, drainage, utility design, erosion control, and permitting activities to ensure technically sound and compliant solutions. Manage project schedules, budgets, staffing plans, and client communications to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Coordinate closely with surveyors, geotechnical engineers, environmental consultants, and public agencies to support project approvals and execution. Perform quality reviews of engineering deliverables and provide technical guidance to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to standards. Prepare proposals, scopes of work, fee estimates, and client presentations to support business development and project acquisition.
Collaborate with company leadership on growth initiatives, market strategy, and long-term positioning in the Ohio region. Act as the primary point of contact for Ohio clients, providing responsive, professional, and solutions-oriented service. Provide strategic guidance on site feasibility, due diligence, permitting, and development challenges to help clients make informed decisions. Participate in networking events, industry organizations, and client meetings to build visibility and strengthen professional networks.
Foster long-term client relationships through exceptional customer service, technical excellence, and consistent follow-through on commitments. Essential Skills Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field. Professional Engineer (PE) license in Ohio. 10+ years of land development engineering experience. Demonstrated experience leading site development projects from concept through construction.
Strong knowledge of site grading and drainage design. Strong knowledge of stormwater management and drainage systems. Strong knowledge of utility infrastructure design, including water, sanitary, and related systems. Strong understanding of permitting and entitlement processes for land development projects. Experience performing due diligence and site feasibility evaluations. Proven experience man