Waterfront Growth Leader

VHB is seeking a Waterfront Growth Leader to drive the expansion of our Coastal Engineering & Resiliency (CE&R) services team in the Northeast Region. This leadership role focuses on strategic growth, business development, and market expansion within urban, recreational, and marina-based waterfront sectors, including municipal and state parks, mixed-use developments, and large-scale coastal infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the growth and strategic positioning of the CE&R practice in the tristate area.
• Identify, secure, and manage key client relationships—both new and existing—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, design, and construction of coastal systems.
• Work with landside planners and designers 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.

Requirements

• 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 as a subject matter expert or contributor to industry-wide best practices.
• Professional certifications or licensure in applicable fields preferred.

Skills

• Deep expertise in waterfront development/redevelopment, coastal adjacent infrastructure, coastal engineering, and resiliency.
• Demonstrated success in business development, including securing new clients and winning both small and large-scale projects.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory permitting processes at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Strategic thinker with strong program management skills and the ability to support clients from concept through permitting 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 Northeast, with a focus on Long Island, New York City, and New Jersey.
• Experience working with agencies such as USACE, FEMA, NOAA, and state-level coastal/environmental departments.
• Expertise in urban waterfront redevelopment, marinas, waterfront parks, feasibility studies, and resilient coastal infrastructure.

Pay

Salary range for this position is $160,000–210,000. Final compensation will be based on factors including location, internal comparators, skills, education, training, credentials, experience, and scope and complexity of role responsibilities.

Benefits

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact.
• Collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success.
• Support to grow skills and lead through change, including learning and development opportunities.
• Technology-empowered, future-ready work environment with evolving tools and AI integration.
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment.