Cities & Places Practice Leader - West Region

Cities And Places Practice Leader

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

As the Cities and Places Practice Leader, you will play a strategic, highly visible role focused on strengthening long-term client partnerships, shaping pursuit strategies, developing differentiated value propositions, and guiding project excellence across Jacobs' markets with a specific focus on Higher Education. You will partner closely with global market teams, regional growth and sales, and technical and operational leaders to position Jacobs as the premier consultant and delivery partner with a special focus on Higher Education institutions.

This role blends strategic market leadership, client engagement, business development, and project delivery oversight, with the overarching goal of accelerating growth, driving innovation, and securing major opportunities across the Corporate+Commercial, Health, Aviation, Science and Technology with a particular focus in the Higher Education sector.

Client & Market Leadership

• Cultivate, secure, and strengthen long-term, trust-based client partnerships by leveraging Jacobs' global capabilities and creating valued, differentiated client propositions.
• Serve as a primary representative of Jacobs to higher education clients, demonstrating a relationship-oriented, solutions-focused approach.
• Engage C-suite and executive stakeholders using high-quality thought leadership, unique market insights, and compelling content that elevates Jacobs' profile.
• Develop a deep understanding of client drivers, aligning Jacobs' solutions with institutional objectives, long-range capital planning, and operational priorities.
• Represent Jacobs at key industry conferences, symposiums, workshops, and professional organizations, expanding visibility and connections within the higher education market.

Thought Leadership & Communications

• Create and disseminate thought leadership, market insights, and strategic analyses that elevate Jacobs' expertise in higher education.
• Partner with global and regional teams to develop annual growth and marketing plans, including proactive storytelling to showcase Jacobs' innovations and achievements.
• Contribute industry foresight to inform the development of high-value solutions, accelerators, and market differentiators.

People Leadership, Talent Development & Culture

• Attract, develop, and retain top talent while advancing Jacobs' Inclusion & Diversity goals.
• Actively mentor, sponsor, and coach team members to foster a supportive, growth-oriented culture.
• Participate in and contribute to global Communities of Practice, sharing lessons learned and best practices across regions.

Project Delivery Support & Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight for strategic, complex, multi-phased projects, ensuring alignment with client objectives, budgets, schedules, safety standards, and quality expectations.
• Support Senior Project Managers in overseeing scope, cost, schedule, design, construction contracts, project controls, and information management.
• Assist with planning and facilitating meetings; prepare agendas, documentation, presentations, and meeting notes.
• Review consultant and contractor pay applications, change orders, and submittals to verify compliance and accuracy.
• Support procurement processes by compiling, submitting, and tracking purchase requisitions, change orders, and pay applications.
• Help resolve complex project-related issues, disputes, and disagreements, ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
• Contribute to successful project completion through strong coordination, communication, and alignment of multidisciplinary teams.

Collaboration & Reporting Structure

This role requires approximately 20% commitment to Regional Market Solutions Lead responsibilities, in addition to strategic project and pursuit engagement. The Higher Education Practice Leader will collaborate closely with:

• Regional Solutions Director
• West Region C&P Market Director
• Global Market Directors
• Global Solution Directors
• Americas Regional Leads

Here's what you'll need

• Strong, durable client relationships at the executive level
• Clear growth in market share and strategic wins across the Higher Education portfolio
• High-quality, differentiated positioning of Jacobs in key pursuits
• Increased visibility through thought leadership and industry engagement
• Effective development and retention of top talent
• Demonstrated influence on pursuit outcomes and project execution excellence
• Corporate+Commercial, Health, Aviation, Science and Technology with a particular focus in the Higher Education sector experience
• Architect degree with 20+ years of experience

Posted Salary Range: Minimum 250,000.00 Posted Salary Range: Upper 350,000.00

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $250,000.00 to $350,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on May 11, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Locations

Los Angeles - California - United States

Denver - Colorado - United States

Greenwood Village - Colorado - United States

Seattle - Washington - United States

Portland - Oregon - United States

Boise - Idaho - United States

Corvallis - Oregon - United States

Tempe - Arizona - United States

Houston - Texas - United States

Dallas - Texas - United States

San Francisco - California - United States