Waterfront Market Leader

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB is seeking a Waterfront Market Leader to help drive the expansion of our Coastal Engineering & Resiliency (CE&R) services team from Maine to Florida. This individual will lead strategic growth and business development initiatives, focusing on the urban, recreational, and marina-based waterfront sectors, including municipal and state parks, mixed-use developments, and large-scale coastal infrastructure projects.
This is a growth and leadership-oriented position focused on market expansion, client relationship development, strategic program support, and business unit leadership. The successful candidate will bring deep industry knowledge, proven business acumen, and trusted advisor status with key clients to help us solidify and expand our position in the coastal engineering and waterfront development market.

Responsibilities
• Lead the growth and strategic positioning of our CE&R practice across the Eastern Seaboard (Maine to Florida).
• Identify, secure, and manage key client relationships — including both new business and existing accounts — across municipal, state, federal and private sectors.
• Oversee and contribute to grant identification, funding strategy, and grant writing for major waterfront and coastal projects.
• Partner with internal and external multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-profile waterfront and marina development projects, including feasibility studies, site planning, and market/economic analyses.
• Work with landside planners to create integrated land-water site plans that are functional, resilient, and economically viable.
• Provide strategic oversight and mentorship to a multidisciplinary team of technical and administrative staff; foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Collaborate across business units to enhance cross-market integration and service line synergy.
• Participate in branding, visibility, and thought leadership efforts including conferences, speaking engagements, and industry forums.
• Lead proposal development, cost estimation, and project scoping for new waterfront work in coordination with proposal teams.
• Monitor and manage key performance indicators for the CE&R practice, including revenue, profitability, utilization, and client satisfaction.

Skills & Attributes
• Deep expertise in waterfront redevelopment, marina planning, coastal engineering and resiliency.
• Demonstrated success in business development, including securing new clients and winning large-scale projects.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory permitting processes at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Proficient in financial and economic modeling for project feasibility and profitability assessments.
• Strategic thinker with strong program management skills and the ability to support clients from concept through funding and implementation.
• Recognized industry leader and effective regulatory strategist, ideally with multi-state experience.
• Strong leadership, team building, and mentorship capabilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong industry presence in the Eastern Seaboard, especially from Maine to Florida.
• Experience working with agencies such as USACE, FEMA, NOAA, and state-level coastal/environmental departments.
• Proven track record of securing grant funding and assisting clients with long-term program management.
• Expertise in urban waterfront redevelopment, marina feasibility studies, and resilient coastal infrastructure.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Coastal Science, Marine, Construction or Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, with 5+ years in a strategic leadership, market development, or business unit management role.
• Demonstrated history of successful waterfront project delivery and client relationship management across a broad regional footprint.
• Recognized for serving as a subject matter expert or contributing to industry-wide best practices.
• Professional certifications or licensure in applicable fields preferred.

We are VHB! We’re an inspired and innovative team of engineers, scientists, planners, and designers who partner with clients in the transportation, real estate, institutional, and energy industries, as well as federal, state, and local governments. Our work helps improve mobility, enhance communities, and contribute to economic vitality. We do this while balancing development and infrastructure needs with stewardship of our environment. 

Our people make us great! VHB provides a differentiating employee experience, which includes: 

• Diverse and inclusive culture of collaboration and innovation
• Opportunity to work on complex, transformational projects
• Community and social responsibility as sustainable stewards
• Focus on learning, development, and career growth
• Best-in-class benefits, including flexible, hybrid workplace  

We are consistently rated one of the top AEC firms to work for across our 30+ offices on the East Coast. We’re growing, and we hope you’ll join us! 

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.