Survey and Mapping Practice Leader
Location: Chantilly, VA (Washington, DC Metro Area)
Bonus Eligibility: Annual performance-based bonus tied to company, department, and individual performance
PTO: 23+ days annually
Position Summary
Seeking an experienced and licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) to serve as its Survey and Mapping Practice Leader. This senior leadership role is responsible for the strategic direction, operational management, technical oversight, and continued growth of the Surveying and Mapping Department. This is an in-office position based out of our Chantilly, VA corporate headquarters.
The Practice Leader will oversee a multidisciplinary team of survey professionals, project managers, team leaders, and technical support staff while ensuring the delivery of high-quality surveying services. This individual will drive operational excellence, support business development efforts, maintain strong client relationships, and champion innovation, quality, safety, and professional development throughout the practice.
The ideal candidate brings extensive land surveying experience, proven leadership capabilities, strong business acumen, and a commitment to building high-performing teams that support the firm’s long-term strategic objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Department Management
- Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all surveying and mapping operations.
- Develop and implement departmental strategies aligned with company goals and objectives.
- Establish and maintain departmental policies, procedures, and technical standards.
- Participate in Director-level and Board meetings, reporting on operational performance, financial metrics, and project outcomes.
- Monitor departmental workload forecasts, staffing needs, and revenue projections utilizing internal accounting and project management systems.
- Promote a collaborative, communicative, and positive work environment.
Staff Leadership & Professional Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of licensed and non-licensed surveying professionals, project managers, team leaders, and field and office staff.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, mentorship, accountability, and career growth.
- Develop and oversee internal and external training programs to enhance technical and leadership skills.
- Support recruiting initiatives, including conducting interviews and evaluating candidates.
- Partner with managers and Project Directors in employee performance evaluations and professional development planning.
- Assist managers in assigning departmental and project-specific responsibilities.
Project Management & Operations
- Provide project management oversight for surveying projects as needed.
- Initiate work orders, establish project budgets, and monitor project performance.
- Coordinate with managers and team leaders to establish project schedules, milestones, and delivery commitments.
- Support project kickoff meetings and ensure successful project execution.
- Ensure effective resource allocation and workload balancing across the department.
- Maintain expertise in surveying methodologies, office computations, and industry best practices.
Client Relations & Business Development
- Build, strengthen, and maintain long-term client relationships.
- Consult with prospective and existing clients regarding project requirements, scope, schedule, and deliverables.
- Prepare surveying proposals, scopes of work, budgets, and cost estimates.
- Support Principals, Project Directors, and Business Development personnel in responding to Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), presentations, and client pursuits.
- Identify opportunities for service expansion and business growth.
Quality, Innovation & Technical Excellence
- Oversee and continuously improve departmental Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) programs.
- Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on lessons learned, technological advancements, and evolving industry standards.
- Research, evaluate, and implement emerging surveying technologies, software platforms, and service offerings.
- Drive innovation and operational improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and client service.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with all applicable industry standards, regulations, and professional surveying requirements.
- Maintain and update surveying-related safety procedures within the corporate Safety and Accident Prevention Plan (APP).
- Promote a strong culture of safety among field and office personnel.
- Ensure adherence to company policies, quality standards, and risk management practices.
Required Qualifications
- Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license required.
- Extensive experience in land surveying, surveying operations, and project management.
- Leadership experience managing surveying teams, departments, or business units.
- Strong understanding of surveying principles, boundary determination, construction surveying, topographic surveying, and geospatial technologies.
- Experience developing budgets, managing financial performance, and forecasting workloads and revenues.
- Knowledge of current surveying technologies, software, and data collection methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and implement strategic initiatives.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with clients, staff, and executive leadership.