AI summary
Lead BKF’s Planning business sector as a senior executive, owning strategy, growth, and delivery across services like community planning, environmental compliance, housing, and natural resources. BKF is a long-established multi-service infrastructure consulting firm (civil engineering/surveying) with a collaborative, autonomous culture. Standout perks include flexible schedules plus education reimbursement and paid professional dues.
Key skills
AICP / urban planning leadershipStrategic planning and multi-year business planningP&L ownership and budgeting/forecastingBusiness development and client relationship managementAEC project lifecycle management (planning, design, permitting, construction)Mergers & acquisitions identification and integrationKPI/performance management and operational efficiencyPricing strategy and fee developmentPeople leadership, talent development, succession planningRegulatory frameworks, permitting, and stakeholder agency coordination
Salary not listed — comparable Newport Beach/SoCal senior planning sector leader roles in infrastructure consulting typically pay around $180k–$260k base, often with bonus/benefits depending on scope of P&L.
You'll thrive here if you’re a senior AEC planning leader who enjoys owning a business sector’s strategy, P&L, and growth while building teams and strengthening key client relationships across multiple markets.
Why apply
- Flexible schedules
- Education reimbursement
- Paid annual professional dues
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.
Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. The Business Sector Lead of Planning provides strategic, operational leadership and market growth across several service areas, including Agency Staffing, Community Planning, Environmental Compliance, Housing, and Natural Resources. You will report directly to the Executive Vice President of Planning and Government Solutions.
With a strong understanding of planning services across a range of markets including Transportation, Water, Land Development, and Energy, the Business Sector Lead of Planning ensures excellence in project delivery, client service, talent development, and financial performance. This role is accountable for aligning the Planning business sector with the firm’s strategic growth goals, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and driving innovation in service delivery. The SVP Planning will work in close partnership with other market, regional, and functional leaders to elevate the firm's position in the Planning space.
Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan for the Planning business sector, aligning with BKF’s long-term goals and vision.
Identify and pursue growth opportunities including geographic expansion, new service lines, and major pursuits.
Identify Merger and Acquisition opportunities that align with the overall market and corporate strategy.
Develop and execute strategies to successfully integrate acquisitions with the goal of unlocking synergies that drive growth.
Team Building & Development:
Support the team’s professional development and succession planning.
Lead succession planning and talent acquisition strategies for key roles within the markets.
Oversee the allocation of resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials, to ensure project success and operational efficiency.
Financial Management:
Lead annual business plan/budget and long-range forecasting for Planning. Guide pricing strategies, fee development, and resource allocation in alignment with financial targets.
Monitor and drive the sector’s performance metrics, ensuring that the team consistently meets or exceeds Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Regularly review and assess the performance of the Planning sector, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery.
Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, expand relationships with clients and partners, and contribute to the overall growth of the sector.
Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing teams to shape go-to-market strategies, major pursuit plans, and capture efforts.
Serve as executive sponsor on key pursuits and client accounts in the Planning sector.
Cultivate and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key public and private sector clients.
Project Oversight & Execution:
Provide leadership and oversight of all project delivery ensuring quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction from inception to completion.
Drive consistency in project delivery, leveraging best practices and standardized tools across teams.
Identify and mitigate risks associated with Planning projects and operations, ensuring the safety and success of all initiatives.
Conduct technical reviews and provide technical oversight on a wide range of Planning projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
Collaborate with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to obtain necessary permits and approvals for projects.
Lead the development and implementation of innovative solutions for Planning services.
Support other projects and teams as needed.
Minimum of 15 years leading complex projects, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role with overall responsibility to develop and grow a business sector.
Proven success in P&L ownership, including driving scaled revenue growth, operational efficiency, and profitability management across multiple business lines or regions.
Excellent business acumen with a focus on KPIs, operational efficiency, and scalable growth.
Demonstrated track record of business development and client relationship management in public and/or private sector markets.
Skilled in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management.
Deep understanding of project lifecycle management in the AEC industry, including planning, design, permitting, and construction phases.
Exceptional leadership and people management capabilities with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
Strong working knowledge of industry trends, funding mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks affecting infrastructure investment.
Willingness to travel as needed to support regional offices, project sites, or client engagements
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Sciences, or closely related field
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. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
9 Paid Holidays.
Flexible schedules.
Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
BKF Engineers 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.
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 Engineers, BKF Engineers 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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Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. The Business Sector Lead of Planning provides strategic, operational leadership and market growth across several service areas, including Agency Staffing, Community Planning, Environmental Compliance, Housing, and Natural Resources. You will report directly to the Executive Vice President of Planning and Government Solutions.
With a strong understanding of planning services across a range of markets including Transportation, Water, Land Development, and Energy, the Business Sector Lead of Planning ensures excellence in project delivery, client service, talent development, and financial performance. This role is accountable for aligning the Planning business sector with the firm’s strategic growth goals, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and driving innovation in service delivery. The SVP Planning will work in close partnership with other market, regional, and functional leaders to elevate the firm's position in the Planning space.
Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan for the Planning business sector, aligning with BKF’s long-term goals and vision.
Identify and pursue growth opportunities including geographic expansion, new service lines, and major pursuits.
Identify Merger and Acquisition opportunities that align with the overall market and corporate strategy.
Develop and execute strategies to successfully integrate acquisitions with the goal of unlocking synergies that drive growth.
Team Building & Development:
Support the team’s professional development and succession planning.
Lead succession planning and talent acquisition strategies for key roles within the markets.
Oversee the allocation of resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials, to ensure project success and operational efficiency.
Financial Management:
Lead annual business plan/budget and long-range forecasting for Planning. Guide pricing strategies, fee development, and resource allocation in alignment with financial targets.
Monitor and drive the sector’s performance metrics, ensuring that the team consistently meets or exceeds Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Regularly review and assess the performance of the Planning sector, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery.
Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, expand relationships with clients and partners, and contribute to the overall growth of the sector.
Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing teams to shape go-to-market strategies, major pursuit plans, and capture efforts.
Serve as executive sponsor on key pursuits and client accounts in the Planning sector.
Cultivate and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key public and private sector clients.
Project Oversight & Execution:
Provide leadership and oversight of all project delivery ensuring quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction from inception to completion.
Drive consistency in project delivery, leveraging best practices and standardized tools across teams.
Identify and mitigate risks associated with Planning projects and operations, ensuring the safety and success of all initiatives.
Conduct technical reviews and provide technical oversight on a wide range of Planning projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
Collaborate with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to obtain necessary permits and approvals for projects.
Lead the development and implementation of innovative solutions for Planning services.
Support other projects and teams as needed.
Minimum of 15 years leading complex projects, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role with overall responsibility to develop and grow a business sector.
Proven success in P&L ownership, including driving scaled revenue growth, operational efficiency, and profitability management across multiple business lines or regions.
Excellent business acumen with a focus on KPIs, operational efficiency, and scalable growth.
Demonstrated track record of business development and client relationship management in public and/or private sector markets.
Skilled in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and change management.
Deep understanding of project lifecycle management in the AEC industry, including planning, design, permitting, and construction phases.
Exceptional leadership and people management capabilities with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
Strong working knowledge of industry trends, funding mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks affecting infrastructure investment.
Willingness to travel as needed to support regional offices, project sites, or client engagements
Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Sciences, or closely related field
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. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
9 Paid Holidays.
Flexible schedules.
Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
BKF Engineers 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.
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 Engineers, BKF Engineers 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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