Market Lead - Data Centers

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

The Market Lead – Data Centers is responsible for overseeing and growing the firm's service offering within the market. This includes driving a go-to-market strategy, managing client relationships, and developing the team. Reporting directly to the Development Division’s Land Development Regional Lead, this role is critical to executing the firm’s strategic objectives, including expanding market share, strengthening priority client accounts, and ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery to mission-critical clients.With a strong understanding of the California Technology ecosystem, delivery models, and permitting/regulatory environment, the Market Lead ensures excellence in project delivery, client service, talent development, and financial performance. This role fosters collaboration across offices and disciplines and serves as the primary connector between local delivery teams and Technology market leadership.

Responsibilities

Market Strategy & Execution:

• Develop and execute the firm’s strategic plan for technology-focused markets, including data centers, advanced manufacturing, and emerging industrial submarkets. 
• Identify market trends, client needs, and competitive positioning to drive growth and inform firmwide strategy. 
• Provide subject matter expertise in mission-critical environments. 

Team Leadership & Development: 

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing regional teams, with a focus on building market-aligned teams as the sector grows. 
• Lead succession planning and talent acquisition in alignment with sector and firmwide goals. 

Client Engagement & Market Growth 

• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, developers, contractors, and industry partners. 
• Lead major pursuits, proposals, and presentations for high-value projects and programs. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients on facility design, scalability and operational efficiency. 
• Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and client forums. 

Project Oversight & Delivery: 

• Provide executive-level oversight on key projects to ensure quality, profitability, and client satisfaction. 
• Support project teams in navigating complex technical and operational challenges. 

Operational & Financial Management: 

• Lead the development and execution of the firm’s Technology market plan and budget. 
• Own performance across backlog, revenue, and operating margin for the Technology portfolio. 
• Responsible for meeting or exceeding performance KPIs including utilization, project profitability, and bookings. 

Requirements

• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience delivering Technology projects, with a focus on Data Centers, advanced manufacturing, and/or logistics projects, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. 

• Demonstrated experience leading or scaling a market, practice, or business line, with accountability for growth, client development, and overall performance. 
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams (civil, site development, utilities, and supporting disciplines) and manage complex, fast-track programs. 
• Strong understanding of the West Coast’s Technology market dynamics, client delivery models, utility coordination, and permitting/regulatory frameworks. 
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage and influence C-suite stakeholders and position the firm as a trusted advisor. 
• Demonstrated success in business development and key account management with data center owners/operators, developers, and contractors. 
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills. 
• Highly organized, analytical, and results oriented.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven consulting environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support Bay Area project sites, client engagements, and coordination with other offices. 
• Able to work cooperatively with leadership and other key stakeholders within BKF. 
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field is required. 
• PE license in California is preferred. 

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $185, 000.00 - $235,000.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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