Practice Leader- Coastal Engineering

KCI Technologies Inc.

20h

About The Position

Join us as we Rise to the Challenge
At KCI, we’re building an enduring community that provides unparalleled value to our employee-owners. We make our mark designing and delivering our world-class solutions, so we invest deeply in supporting and developing our team. We reward integrity and commitment, and when we do well, you do well. Our employee’s have the freedom to innovate, unlimited growth, a voice that matters, a lifestyle that works, and skin in the game. Achievements are shared and celebrated. As a team, we are motivated to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
THE COMPANY
KCI Technologies, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. KCI is recognized as an industry leader, employing cutting-edge technologies, management practices and strategic growth initiatives. Employee ownership fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, encourages technical expertise, and shapes strategic planning.
KCI is currently ranked #53 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 design firms in the nation.
KCI BENEFITS INFORMATION
We offer a competitive compensation package, family friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring and resources you need to advance in your career.
We understand that you have choices, and we know that together we will make a great team!
KCI is committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
KCI Technologies, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
The Coastal Engineering Practice Leader is a highly organized and experienced professional who provides day-to-day leadership for the coastal and waterfront engineering practice. This role is responsible for technical excellence, financial performance, client development, staff growth, and strategic expansion of coastal engineering services, including shoreline stabilization, coastal resiliency, marine infrastructure, dredging, and regulatory permitting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field (AEC Industry) and minimum of 7 years of related professional experience, or 11 years of equivalent professional experience.
• Progressive professional and increasing project management and organizational management experience.
• Proven experience in project management roles within the technical practice.
• Demonstrated leadership capability to build and lead teams of technical practitioners and/or project managers.
• Strong interpersonal as well as verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage budgets, project margins, and cash flow.
• Experience in business development, with a focus on maximizing client relationships and identifying growth opportunities.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within the Practice.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions.
• Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools use in the practice area.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to the service line.
• Ability to complete the KCI PM Training and Contract Training within six months of start date.
• Pre-employment drug screening and background check are conditions of employment.
• Motor vehicle checks may be required based upon position.

Nice To Haves

• Professional license or certification within the field of expertise preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, technical direction, and mentorship to Project Managers (PMs), Senior Project Managers (Sr. PMs), and staff within the Coastal Engineering practice.
• Support professional growth through technical oversight in coastal processes, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, numerical modeling, and coastal design.
• Assume responsibility for the financial and operational performance of the coastal practice, including budgeted margins, project health, and effective cash management.
• Collaborate with other Practice Leaders (e.g., Transportation, Environmental, Structural, Water Resources) to deliver integrated coastal and waterfront solutions.
• Recruit, hire, and manage coastal engineering staff, assigning work aligned with technical expertise and project needs.
• Track, analyze, and report practice performance metrics.
• Provide project and client leads to other practices to support multidisciplinary project delivery.
• Serve as Project Manager or Technical Lead on select coastal engineering projects.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality, technically sound coastal engineering solutions.
• Lead recruiting and retention efforts to attract top coastal engineering talent.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and support career development plans.
• Mentor staff in coastal engineering principles, modeling tools, design standards, construction support, and regulatory processes.
• Foster a collaborative and technically innovative practice culture.
• Lead negotiations of coastal project scopes, fees, and contract terms with clients and subconsultants.
• Oversee development of project schedules from planning and permitting through design and construction.
• Review and approve monthly progress reports and client invoices.
• Prepare monthly staff utilization and workload forecasts.
• Manage projects within corporate and project budget parameters.
• Provide input on unbilled work authorizations and coordinate with the Regional Practice Leader and Operations Manager.
• Provide monthly WIP/AR commentary related to coastal projects to Finance and the Project Management Office.
• Submit weekly new project budget information to project analysts.
• Drive business development for coastal engineering services by expanding relationships with existing clients and pursuing new market opportunities.
• Identify and pursue opportunities related to coastal resiliency, climate adaptation, shoreline protection, marine infrastructure, and waterfront development.
• Lead opportunity evaluation, consultant selection, and preparation of qualifications and proposals specific to coastal engineering projects.
• Coordinate proposal teams and participate in client interviews and presentations.
• Promote KCI’s coastal engineering capabilities and integrated service offerings.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships by providing proactive communication, soliciting regular feedback, and identifying follow-on project opportunities.
• Provide input to the annual coastal practice business development plan to achieve sales targets.
• Conduct and review market research related to coastal infrastructure, resiliency funding, and regulatory trends.
• Communicate emerging coastal market trends and opportunities to the Regional Practice Leader and Service Line Leader.
• Ensure compliance with all KCI policies, procedures, and Quality Management System requirements.
• Participate in annual leadership meetings and regional office forums.
• Represent KCI in coastal engineering, marine, environmental, and professional organizations (e.g., ASCE COPRI, PIANC, CERF).
• Support regulatory compliance related to coastal permitting agencies (e.g., USACE, NOAA, state coastal programs).
• Develop and implement project-specific safety plans for coastal and marine construction activities.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local safety regulations, including marine and waterfront safety requirements.
• Deliver projects on schedule, within budget, and at a high level of technical quality.
• Monitor effective utilization of personnel, vessels, equipment, and specialty coastal resources.

Benefits

• We offer a competitive compensation package, family friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring and resources you need to advance in your career.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees