Executive Director
Engineers & Surveyors Institute — Northern Virginia
The Engineers & Surveyors Institute (ESI) is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and highly capable Executive Director to lead a respected nonprofit professional association serving engineers, surveyors, jurisdictional partners, and land development professionals throughout Northern Virginia and the surrounding region.
ESI is a Virginia-based 501(c)(6) organization that supports public- and private-sector collaboration in the land development review and approval process. Through professional education, continuing education programming, certifications, peer review services, technical collaboration, and structured industry committees, ESI promotes efficient, technically sound, and cooperative land development practices.
Position Summary
The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer and primary representative of ESI. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this position is responsible for the organization’s strategic leadership, daily operations, financial stewardship, stakeholder engagement, staff supervision, and overall administration.
This role requires a strong communicator and relationship-builder who can lead a member-driven organization serving both public and private sector professionals. The Executive Director will oversee member services, jurisdictional partnerships, continuing education programs, peer review services, Designated Plans Examiner initiatives, and related organizational programs while ensuring alignment with ESI’s mission and long-term goals.
Key Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership and Management
The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for all ESI programs, services, initiatives, and administrative functions. Responsibilities include supporting the Board of Directors, Executive Board, annual membership meetings, committee activities, and organizational communications.
The Executive Director will also be responsible for maintaining effective financial and administrative systems, overseeing budgets and audits, managing contracts and financial transactions, and ensuring compliance with applicable requirements for a Virginia-based nonprofit trade organization.
Additional responsibilities include developing policies, systems, and organizational strategies that support ESI’s mission; monitoring program performance; improving member services; and representing ESI at professional, jurisdictional, and industry meetings.
Staff Supervision and Organizational Development
The Executive Director will recruit, supervise, mentor, evaluate, and support staff members to ensure effective organizational performance. This includes developing staffing plans, compensation strategies, employee development opportunities, and a collaborative, professional, service-oriented workplace culture.
The position will also involve evaluating and implementing technology systems, automation tools, and operational processes that improve efficiency, communication, and customer service.
Jurisdictional Partner and Contract Management
The Executive Director serves as the primary liaison between ESI and participating local jurisdictions, agencies, and partner organizations. This includes maintaining strong relationships with jurisdictional leadership, technical staff, administrative personnel, member firms, and industry partners.
The Executive Director will negotiate new and recurring jurisdictional contracts on behalf of the Board of Directors, coordinate contractual service delivery, monitor performance expectations, and identify opportunities to strengthen or expand ESI’s public-private partnership services.
Designated Plans Examiner and Jurisdictional Programs
The Executive Director will oversee and support expedited plan review and Designated Plans Examiner programs operated in partnership with local jurisdictions. This includes working with jurisdictional stakeholders and industry participants to maintain program standards, accountability measures, operational protocols, and effective communication systems.
The position also provides administrative and leadership support for Advisory Plans Examiner Board activities, related coordination with Boards of Supervisors and jurisdictional leadership, and ongoing communication with public- and private-sector participants.
Peer Review and Technical Review Services
The Executive Director will oversee ESI’s peer review and minimum submission review services provided to partnering jurisdictions. Responsibilities include recruiting and supporting qualified technical staff and professional reviewers, assisting with review procedures and quality assurance standards, and helping maintain tools, checklists, digital workflow systems, SharePoint access systems, and related operational resources.
The Executive Director will work collaboratively with staff engineers, submitting members, and jurisdictional personnel to improve consistency, responsiveness, and technical quality in the review process.
Preferred Qualifications
Qualified candidates should be a licensed Professional Engineer, Surveyor or related discipline and have a minimum of 10 years demonstrated leadership and management experience in a nonprofit organization, professional association, governmental agency, engineering organization, land development organization, or related technical field. Preference will be given to individuals whose experience was in Northern Virginia or adjacent areas.
Preferred qualifications include:
- Strong understanding of land development, engineering review, public-sector coordination, and regulatory processes.
- Experience managing contracts, budgets, organizational operations, audits, and stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent written communication, public speaking, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to lead staff, support boards and committees, and manage complex organizational initiatives.
- Experience working with technical professionals, local governments, public agencies, and private-sector firms.
- Familiarity with continuing education programs, certifications, professional training, or workforce development initiatives.
Work Environment
This position involves a combination of office administration, professional meetings, public engagement, program oversight, and coordination with regional stakeholders. The Executive Director is expected to maintain a high level of professionalism, responsiveness, discretion, and leadership while representing ESI throughout the region.
About ESI
The Engineers & Surveyors Institute is dedicated to advancing collaboration, technical excellence, professional education, and efficient land development review processes through strong public-private partnerships and industry leadership.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications, leadership experience, and interest in serving as Executive Director of the Engineers & Surveyors Institute.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
