Project Manager - Land Development
Job Description:
Project Manager – Civil Land Development
Build your career with Pape-Dawson’s Fort Myers team, formerly Poulos & Bennett, a well-established Florida engineering and consulting firm with a strong legacy of serving communities throughout Southwest Florida. As part of the Pape-Dawson family of companies, our Fort Myers team combines deep local knowledge and longstanding client relationships with the resources, technical expertise, and reach of a leading national firm.
Fort Myers and the surrounding Southwest Florida region continue to experience significant growth, creating exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of residential, commercial, mixed-use, and public-sector projects. Our team is committed to delivering innovative, practical solutions that help shape the future of the communities we serve.
We are seeking a full-time, Florida PE-licensed Project Manager based in our Fort Myers, FL office. This position will lead civil land development projects from concept through construction, while managing client relationships, project schedules, budgets, design teams, permitting, and overall project delivery. The Project Manager will work closely with civil engineers, landscape architects, land surveyors, planners, and other professionals to deliver successful public and private development projects throughout Southwest Florida.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage civil land development projects from initial concept and due diligence through final design, permitting, and construction.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing clear communication regarding project scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables.
- Prepare and oversee engineering design calculations, construction plans, specifications, and technical reports for site development projects.
- Manage the design of site grading, stormwater management, drainage, utilities, roadway improvements, and related infrastructure.
- Review and coordinate work prepared by project engineers, designers, and other members of the project team.
- Develop project scopes, fee proposals, schedules, and budgets and monitor project performance throughout delivery.
- Coordinate with clients, contractors, architects, landscape architects, surveyors, planners, and other consultants.
- Lead coordination with local, state, and federal agencies and jurisdictions throughout the permitting and approval process.
- Navigate zoning, entitlements, development codes, permitting requirements, and other regulatory criteria applicable to land development projects.
- Analyze survey information, geotechnical reports, environmental documentation, and other project data to support project design and development.
- Participate in client meetings, agency meetings, project presentations, and public meetings as needed.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers and other project team members.
- Identify project risks and proactively develop solutions to maintain project schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
- Support business development efforts, including client relationship development, proposal preparation, and pursuit of new project opportunities.
- Perform additional related duties as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited program.
- Active Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in civil land development, site development, or a related field.
- Proven experience managing civil engineering projects, including scope, schedule, budget, client communication, and project delivery.
- Strong understanding of land development, including site grading, stormwater management, drainage, and utility design.
- Experience with residential, multifamily, commercial, mixed-use, or other private-sector development projects.
- Experience with local permitting, entitlements, and regulatory processes in Southwest Florida preferred.
- Strong knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal codes, criteria, and permitting requirements.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams and effectively manage multiple projects and priorities.
- Strong client-service and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to mentor and develop junior engineering staff.
- Knowledge of green infrastructure, low-impact development (LID), and sustainable stormwater management practices is a plus.
Benefits
- Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Long-term and short-term disability coverage
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- 401(k) safe harbor contribution plus 10% employer matching
- Premium time paid out to eligible salaried employees when over 40 hours are worked in a week
- Annual salary review and bonus opportunities
- Tuition and gym reimbursements
- Parental leave
- Flexible work environment
- Strong focus on work-life balance
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within a growing national organization
EEO Statement:
All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.