Executive Director - Engineers & Surveyors Institute

Executive Director

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…