Waterfront Growth Leader

Waterfront Growth Leader

VHB is seeking a Waterfront Growth Leader to help drive the expansion of our Coastal Engineering & Resiliency (CE&R) services team in our Northeast Region. 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 in the tristate area.
• 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, 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.

Skills & Attributes

• 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, marina's, waterfront parks, 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.

Our best estimate of the salary range for this position is $160,000-210,000. The final compensation will be based on a variety of factors including location, internal comparators, skills, education, training, credentials, experience, scope and complexity of role responsibilities.

Building what's next, together. Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, people‑driven, future‑ready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

When you join VHB, you'll find:

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

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.