SR. DIRECTOR OF LAND PLANNING in Bonita Springs

Job DescriptionJob Description

Director of Land Planning (12+ Years) | Naples, FL

Why RDA

RDA Consulting Engineers is a Great Place to WorkTM certified civil and structural engineering firm in Naples, Florida. Our vision is to be the most desirable engineering firm to work with and to work for, and our mission says the rest plainly: to deliver exemplary engineering that guides and protects every client, while building careers and leaders. We take both sides of that mission seriously. Our engineers work closely with firm leadership, take on meaningful responsibility early, and have opportunities to grow as both professionals and leaders. We believe great engineering firms are built by developing great people. If you want to do work that matters, keep growing, and build a career with purpose, there’s a place for you at RDA.

The Role

RDA is expanding a land planning and entitlements practice, and this position leads it. You will direct entitlement strategy on projects across Southwest Florida, represent clients at public hearings, and expand the planning team as the practice grows.

Responsibilities

• Develop business alongside firm leadership: cultivate relationships with land use attorneys, developers, and landowners across Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Hendry counties
• Lead entitlement strategy for complex rezonings, PUD amendments, comprehensive plan amendments, and large-scale developments across Southwest Florida
• Build and lead the RDA planning group: hire, mentor, and develop planners as the practice grows
• Provide senior review of planning reports, justification narratives, and consistency analyses
• Represent clients at Planning Commission, Zoning Board, Hearing Examiner, and Board of County Commissioners hearings as the firm's lead planning voice
• Carry billable project work while building the practice, including evening public hearings

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Land Planning, or a related field, including engineering or business administration
• 12+ years of land planning and entitlement experience
• Proven record leading complex entitlements from pre-application through final approval
• Strong public hearing presence and client-facing communication
• Demonstrated ability to win work and grow client relationships
• AICP certification, or the ability to obtain it within one year
• Strong understanding of Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code (LDC) requirements

Qualifications

• Florida entitlement experience
• Master-planned communities and large PUD amendments
• Experience building or leading a planning team, planning practice, or similar real estate group

We hire and grow by our core values: Concrete, Exemplary, Resolute, Never-ending Growth, and Energized Care. Skills can be developed. Alignment with who we are is what we hire for.

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation: $140,000 to $175,000 base depending on experience, plus a performance incentive tied to practice growth
• 100% company-paid health insurance, plus dental and vision, also fully covered
• 100% company-paid short-term and long-term , and a company-paid life insurance policy
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and paid company holidays
• Licensure, registration, and professional association fees covered
• Company outings and team events: Top Golf, deep-sea fishing, family days
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates

Location and Schedule

Location: Naples or Bonita Springs, FL, in office, with agency meetings and public hearings across Southwest Florida

Schedule: Full time; some evening hearings and client functions

Target start: as soon as we find the right person

Equal Opportunity Employer: RDA Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Company Description

RDA Consulting Engineers is a Great Place to Work certified civil and structural engineering firm in Naples, Florida. Our vision is to be the most desirable engineering firm to work with and to work for, and our mission says the rest plainly: to deliver exemplary engineering that guides and protects every client, while building careers and leaders. We take both sides of that mission seriously. Our engineers work closely with firm leadership, take on meaningful responsibility early, and have opportunities to grow as both professionals and leaders. We believe great engineering firms are built by developing great people. If you want to do work that matters, keep growing, and build a career with purpose, there’s a place for you at RDA.

Company DescriptionRDA Consulting Engineers is a Great Place to Work certified civil and structural engineering firm in Naples, Florida. Our vision is to be the most desirable engineering firm to work with and to work for, and our mission says the rest plainly: to deliver exemplary engineering that guides and protects every client, while building careers and leaders. We take both sides of that mission seriously. Our engineers work closely with firm leadership, take on meaningful responsibility early, and have opportunities to grow as both professionals and leaders. We believe great engineering firms are built by developing great people. If you want to do work that matters, keep growing, and build a career with purpose, there’s a place for you at RDA.