Associate Vice President

Job Description: Overview The Associate Vice President (AVP) provides strategic zoning, entitlement, and development coordination services, guiding projects from initial feasibility through governmental approval. This role works closely with clients, firm principals, project managers, engineers, planners, surveyors, and municipal partners to develop entitlement strategies, coordinate approvals, and support successful project delivery.

The AVP also contributes to the growth of the firm by building client and industry relationships, identifying opportunities, and connecting clients with Pape-Dawson’s consulting services. The position is expected to maintain approximately 60% utilization through project work and to support the Land Development and Community Infrastructure professionals in the Fort Worth and Plano offices through regular in-person collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Land Development & Community Infrastructure Leadership Support Support the Community Infrastructure and Land Development leadership overseeing the design production teams. Work collaboratively with Business Development and Marketing to focus efforts where we improve brand visibility and earn new business. Support site investigations, due diligence, and project development for prospective projects.

Present prospects to potential developers. Support project delivery. Provide mentoring, coaching, and performance feedback to improve overall client satisfaction and project performance. Business Development & Client Relationships Develop and implement strategies to generate new business and expand the firm’s client base.

Identify prospective clients, opportunities, and projects that align with services. Establish and maintain relationships with developers, property owners, builders, architects, attorneys, brokers, contractors, and municipalities. Pursue opportunities through networking, industry events, client meetings, referrals, direct outreach, and existing relationships.

Meet with prospective clients to understand their development objectives, challenges, schedules, and needs. Present the firm’s civil engineering and development consulting capabilities and identify services that may support each client’s goals. Develop proposals, scopes of work, and fee recommendations in coordination with technical staff and firm leadership.

Participate in client presentations, interviews, pursuits, and negotiations. Maintain an active pipeline of prospective projects and provide regular updates to firm leadership. Identify opportunities to expand services for existing clients and build relationships that lead to recurring work. Represent the firm professionally within the development, real estate, and municipal community.

Collaborate with Marketing on proposals, presentations, pursuit materials, and business development initiatives. Contribute market insights, pursuit plans, and revenue opportunities to annual budget discussions. Zoning & Entitlement Services Serve as a primary firm resource for zoning and development entitlement matters.

Manage zoning and entitlement assignments from initial client consultation through governmental approval. Coordinate zoning changes, specific use permits, variances, planned developments, site plan approvals, development agreements, and plats. Work with clients to understand project objectives and develop practical entitlement strategies.

Research zoning regulations, development standards, comprehensive plans, and municipal requirements. Coordinate with city staff, planning departments, zoning administrators, elected officials, boards, commissions, and other governmental agencies. Prepare and coordinate entitlement applications and supporting materials with internal technical teams and outside consultants.

Manage entitlement schedules, hearings, submittals, comments, and approvals. Prepare clients for zoning hearings, Planning and Zoning Commission meetings, City Council meetings, and other public meetings. Attend public hearings and governmental meetings on behalf of clients. Coordinate responses to municipal comments and facilitate communication among clients, municipalities, and project teams.

Identify entitlement issues early and recommend strategies to address them. Support development feasibility and due diligence related to zoning and entitlements. Work closely with civil engineers, project managers, surveyors, planners, to align entitlement strategies with engineering and site development requirements.

Participate in initial project due diligence and feasibility assessments. Transition opportunities into active projects and support project kickoffs. Communicate client expectations, project objectives, and entitlement requirements clearly to internal project teams. Maintain involvement through critical stages of development and identify additional opportunities to support clients as projects progress.

Provide firm leadership with feedback on market trends, client needs, competitive activity, and emerging development opportunities. Project Delivery & Internal Collaboration Maintain approximately 60% utilization through project work, including entitlement strategy, municipal coordination, due diligence, and development approvals.

Coordinate with Land Development and Community Infrastructure professionals to connect client needs with the appropriate technical expertise and services. Contribute to effective project delivery by helping teams understand client objectives, approval requirements, schedules, and key project risks. Build productive working relationships with principals, project managers, engineers, planners, surveyors, and other internal partners.

Work onsite one day per week in the Fort Worth office and three days per week in the Plano office to collaborate with the professionals supported by this role. Participate in annual budget discussions and provide input on business development plans, market conditions, and anticipated project opportunities.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, real estate, business, urban planning, or a related discipline. Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in zoning and entitlements, land use planning, real estate development, business development, or a related field. Demonstrated experience managing zoning and entitlement processes, such as zoning changes, specific use permits, variances, planned developments, site plan approvals, development agreements, or plats.

Proven ability to develop client relationships and generate new business opportunities. Established relationships with professionals in the development, real estate, construction, or municipal communities. Strong knowledge of zoning regulations, development standards, municipal approval processes, and local development markets.

Experience coordinating with municipal staff, planning departments, elected officials, boards, commissions, or other governmental agencies. Demonstrated ability to guide clients through public hearings and development approvals. Experience developing proposals, scopes of work, fee recommendations, and client presentations in collaboration with technical teams.

Ability to manage multiple client relationships, project assignments, pursuits, schedules, and deadlines. Ability to collaborate effectively with firm leadership, Marketing, and multidisciplinary technical teams. If you need an accommodation or assistance with completing your application due to a disability or special need, please contact our team at Recruiting@pape-dawson.

com or call (210) 375-9000. 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.