Client Sector Leader – Outdoor Recreation

CEI Engineering Associates•Bentonville, AR

About The Position

CEI is looking for an Outdoor Recreation Client Sector Leader - a forward-thinking, relationship-driven strategist ready to lead growth in one of the most dynamic regions in the country. As a national civil engineering firm with deep roots in Northwest Arkansas, CEI has built a reputation for delivering creative, community-focused infrastructure that elevates quality of life. Now, we're ready to expand that impact through parks, trails, greenways, and outdoor destinations - and we're looking for the right leader to help us get there. In this role, you'll lead the charge to grow CEI's outdoor recreation sector. You'll define the strategy, shape the service offerings needed to serve and grow communities, build relationships with public agencies and partner organizations, and position CEI as the trusted partner for high-performing outdoor places - the kind that drive health, tourism, economic development, and community pride. If you're the kind of professional who thrives on connecting vision to execution - who loves the "big picture" of regional trail networks and outdoor placemaking and understands the details of how a concept becomes a buildable, fundable project - we'd like to talk to you. Join a firm where your ideas can shape how communities play, explore, and connect. CEI is seeking a seasoned outdoor recreation professional who understands the opportunities and challenges facing communities and agencies investing in outdoor amenities today. As the Client Sector Leader - Outdoor Recreation, you will leverage your expertise in recreation planning, public engagement, and project delivery to drive business development, elevate client experience, and position CEI as a top partner in creating connected, resilient, and unforgettable outdoor places. You'll cultivate relationships with city and county parks departments, regional planning entities, state agencies, federal land partners, trail and active transportation organizations, tourism/economic development groups, and nonprofits. You'll identify growth opportunities, guide pursuit strategy, and help CEI deliver outdoor recreation projects that are functional, fundable, maintainable, and loved by the public. If you're ready to advance your career by guiding the evolution of outdoor recreation infrastructure in communities nationwide, CEI could be the right fit for you.

Requirements

Proven experience in outdoor recreation, parks, trails, greenways, or public space project management (public sector, consulting, nonprofit, or a mix).
Strong understanding of project types such as trail networks, trailheads, park improvements, open space planning, recreation access projects, and public realm/site design.
Deep familiarity with public agency processes, including planning, public engagement, environmental constraints, right-of-way coordination, and capital project delivery.
Working knowledge of common recreation and infrastructure funding pathways (examples may include state/federal recreation grants, Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Transportation Alternatives (where applicable), local bond programs, ARPA, and IIJA/BIL-related opportunities).
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to lead, influence, and build trust with a diverse mix of stakeholders (agency staff, elected officials, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and the public).
Strong leadership, strategic planning, and budgeting capabilities; comfortable owning a growth plan and executing it with discipline.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel periodically for client meetings, site visits, conferences, and industry events.
Ability to occasionally work extended hours with flexibility and support for work-life balance.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an Outdoor Recreation Business Development Plan, setting goals, targets, and strategies aligned with CEI's overall strategic direction. Continuously refine your plan based on client feedback, funding cycles, partnerships, and evolving recreation priorities.
Manage the budget for sector-related business development efforts, ensuring alignment with CEI's financial and growth objectives.
Pursue new opportunities with municipalities, counties, regional entities, state agencies, and partner organizations, while expanding CEI's service offerings to existing clients through cross-discipline collaboration (civil, planning, landscape architecture, surveying).
Define and grow CEI's outdoor recreation service portfolio, such as: Trails and greenway planning/design (shared-use paths, natural surface trails, connectivity planning) Park and open space master planning Trailheads, access points, and support amenities (parking, restrooms, kiosks, lighting, utilities) Wayfinding, signage, and placemaking elements Waterfront access, river corridors, and nature-based recreation improvements ADA accessibility upgrades and inclusive design Permitting/navigation of environmental constraints, right-of-way, and utility coordination
Oversee market research to identify recreation trends, tourism drivers, policy shifts, and grant/funding programs influencing outdoor recreation and trail development.
Build a robust network of public agency leaders, land managers, advocacy groups, tourism/economic development partners, and professional associations to expand CEI's visibility and partnerships in the outdoor recreation space.
Support proposal development and contract negotiation in collaboration with project managers and technical teams, ensuring alignment with client expectations, stakeholder needs, and grant/agency requirements.
Track and report sector performance metrics including revenue growth, hit rate, pipeline health, client retention, project delivery excellence, and repeat work.
Develop client relationship strategies, incorporating stakeholder mapping, competitive intelligence, and clear value positioning tailored to outdoor recreation outcomes (economic impact, health, connectivity, stewardship, equity, and user experience).
Work with departments to ensure high client satisfaction and long-term partnerships by aligning CEI's teams around client goals, communication expectations, and delivery consistency.
Represent CEI at industry conferences, professional associations, and client meetings, promoting CEI's expertise in trails, parks, recreation planning, site/civil design, surveying, and community engagement.
Collaborate with leadership to recruit and mentor staff, building recreation-specific expertise across the firm and strengthening CEI's bench for outdoor recreation planning and delivery.
Perform other duties as assigned to support CEI's continued success and innovation in community-shaping infrastructure.