Associate Vice President - Aviation Client Service Leader

Overview

KSA, a Pape‑Dawson Company, is searching for an Associate Vice President and Client Service Leader with expertise in Aviation Engineering and project management. As a client service leader, you will participate and lead business development initiatives to grow the company’s portfolio and execute the business plan. As an engineer who studies, designs, and manages airfield improvements, you would need to be passionate about and enjoy meeting clients and providing the best engineering solutions for all their needs.

This role will be highly collaborative with the marketing team, practice group director, project managers, and external partners.

• Performance at this level requires proven business development experience in a professional position.
• Lead technical client relationships and play a significant role in business development, including preparing statements of qualifications, conducting interviews, setting goals, selecting targets, and representing at conferences.
• Travel to client sites as needed.
• Provide engineering and design for projects such as new runway/taxiway design, existing paving improvements and expansions, airfield lighting, hangar design, fencing, and drainage structures including culverts, storm drains, and detention systems.
• Lead the preparation of airport design plans, including plans and profiles, grading and drainage, markings, NAVAIDS, lighting, and related design elements typical of an airport construction drawing set.
• Provide estimates for engineering fee budgets and schedules to meet project requirements.
• Independently perform all primary design elements for engineering works.
• Apply technical expertise to review, approve, and seal work.
• Support, mentor, and oversee junior‑level engineers and drafting technical staff.
• Ensure project compliance with KSA practices and quality, safety, and governmental design standards.

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from an ABET‑accredited university.
• Knowledge of business development fundamentals and proven ability to train and encourage others to perform business development tasks.
• Proven record of accomplishments in business development success.
• Experience with client management in the aviation sector, including municipalities and government agencies.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in aviation engineering and project management.
• Current Professional Engineering License in Texas (or ability to obtain within 4 months).
• Experience in the production and delivery of airport or transportation construction drawings and specifications.
• Familiarity with MS Office Software (Teams, Word, Excel), Newforma, and Bluebeam.

• Experience with proposal preparations and interviews.
• Good presentation skills.
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team.
• Experience in a leadership role on projects that delivered multi‑disciplinary airport improvement projects.
• Experience performing construction administration of public infrastructure.
• Experience delivering aviation and/or transportation projects for public entities in Oklahoma.
• Experience working with and managing survey, geotech, and other subconsultants.

Pape‑Dawson offers world‑class benefits and a commitment to overall wellbeing.

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.