Job Description:
Established in 2006 through the acquisition of KSA, Pape-Dawson’s McKinney office is helping shape the future of North Texas through innovative infrastructure design and community-focused solutions. The team partners with municipalities, airports, and private clients to deliver impactful projects—from roadways, drainage systems, and water and wastewater infrastructure to hike-and-bike trails, sidewalks, and other multimodal improvements. With a strong foundation in public works and a vision for what’s ahead, the McKinney office is creating safer, more connected, and thriving communities across the region.
Overview
The Associate Vice President (AVP) provides strategic, technical, and managerial leadership for complex engineering projects for our municipal/local government group. This role is responsible for client satisfaction, project performance, team leadership, and business development while maintaining hands-on involvement in key projects. Associate Vice Presidents lead multidisciplinary teams, manage multiple concurrent assignments, and contribute to firmwide growth through mentoring, market engagement, and continuous improvement of standards and practices.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a principal client contact, fostering strong relationships that support repeat work and long-term partnerships.
- Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple complex projects, ensuring quality, schedule, budget, and profitability objectives are met.
- Develop and negotiate project scopes, budgets, schedules, proposals, and contracts.
- Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary project teams, including mentoring and professional development of Project Managers and technical staff.
- Oversee project financial performance, staffing plans, and resource allocation across assignments.
- Review and approve technical deliverables to ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and client requirements.
- Perform or oversee QA/QC reviews, risk management, and issue resolution.
- Lead or support business development efforts, including pursuits, RFQs, proposals, interviews, and account growth.
- Represent the firm in meetings with clients, agencies, boards, and stakeholders, presenting technical and strategic information effectively.
- Contribute to firmwide initiatives related to design standards, best practices, staff development, and operational excellence.
- Balance client needs with internal priorities to maintain high levels of satisfaction, accountability, collaboration, and profitability.
- Provide strategic leadership for major transportation programs, including schematics, PS&E, and complex roadway solutions.
- Direct and coordinate multidisciplinary roadway, drainage, traffic, structures, and utility teams.
- Oversee constructability reviews, risk management, and technical issue resolution.
- Represent the firm at public meetings, hearings, and community outreach events.
- Lead infrastructure pursuits, pricing strategies, and client interviews.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (or related engineering discipline where applicable) from an ABET-accredited program.
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state(s) required to support project work
- 12+ years of progressive engineering experience, including senior-level project leadership and people management responsibilities.
- Demonstrated success managing complex projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining strong client relationships.
- Proven ability to mentor staff, guide other Project Managers, and supervise teams of approximately 10-15 employees.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, public agencies, and internal leadership.
- Ability to manage shifting priorities and multiple concurrent projects effectively.
- Ability to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional hours as required to meet project and business needs.
If you need an accommodation or assistance with completing your application due to a disability or special need, please contact our team at [email protected] or call (210) 375-9000.
EEO Statement:
All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program
- Professional Engineer license in the state or states required to support project work
- 12 or more years of progressive engineering experience
- Senior-level project leadership and people management experience
- Experience managing complex projects and leading multidisciplinary teams
- Strong client relationship management experience
- Ability to mentor staff, guide Project Managers, and supervise approximately 10 to 15 employees
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage shifting priorities and multiple concurrent projects
- Availability to work Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional hours as needed
What We Do
Who We Are Founded in 1965, Pape-Dawson provides professional civil engineering, surveying, GIS, and environmental services for public and private clients across Texas. With 850+ staff and offices in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Tomball, Fort Worth, Dallas, New Braunfels, and Corpus Christi, we provide both our clients and our employees with a deep bench of valuable in-house resources that span a wide range of disciplines. Pape-Dawson has provided civil engineering services for many noteworthy projects in Texas including theme parks; educational campuses; healthcare facilities; transportation improvement projects; water and wastewater infrastructure projects; commercial land development projects; and thousands of residential projects. We take great pride in producing projects than not only impact quality of life, but also help generate economic opportunity within our communities. Culture and Benefits We acknowledge the value of our employees by providing an enlightened company culture that encourages personal growth and professional excellence, supported by state-of-the-art technology and frequent training opportunities. Employee engagement is an integral part of working at Pape-Dawson. Monthly birthday celebrations, weekly trivia and bingo breaks, picnics, holiday parties, professional speakers, and networking opportunities are just a few of the many events employees enjoy. In addition to fostering a culture that promotes satisfaction and success, we provide our employees with a robust benefits package including a variety of insurance plan options; a generous PTO policy; impressive 401(k) match program; education and gym reimbursements; and flexible and remote work opportunities.







