CEI Engineering Associates, Inc. · 5 hours ago
Client Sector Leader - Outdoor Recreation
Bentonville, AR
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$140K/yr - $160K/yrCEI Engineering Associates, Inc. is a national civil engineering firm known for its community-focused infrastructure. They are seeking an Outdoor Recreation Client Sector Leader to drive growth in outdoor recreation, manage business development, and cultivate relationships with public agencies and partner organizations.
ArchitectureCivil EngineeringConstructionConsulting
Hiring Manager
Greg Miller
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
Qualification
Required
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
Company
CEI Engineering Associates, Inc.
CEI Engineering Associates, Inc.
Founded in 1973
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Jeff Geurian
CEO/President
Mike Shupe
Chairman Emeritus /Cofounder (Retired)
Recent News
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2022-01-14
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