Project Director - Entitlements

Project Director - Entitlements

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.

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

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.