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Principal, Planning & Real Estate Advisory Services
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
The Jacobs Advance Planning Group (APG) is a premier provider of urban design, landscape architecture, facility planning, programming, and consulting services to a variety of private and public sector clients. These services include feasibility and project development studies, design guidelines, facility planning and portfolio strategies, real estate advisory, master planning, urban design and landscape architecture services.
As a practice builder, the selected individual will help grow and develop the APG team within the local geography but also will be expected to work across geographies and across lines of business as we bring the best talent and solutions to our clients.
To drive growth in these areas, we need experienced and multi-functional leaders that combine industry and market knowledge with their ability to build teams, direct projects and attract clients. This position offers the exciting opportunity to do just that as centered around three primary business objectives:
- Serve as a practice builder and principal for Planning & Real Estate Advisory services supported by a planning, urban design, landscape architecture and real estate strategy practice as part of the Advance Planning Group (APG);
- As a leader in the Chicago office, establish a strong up-front market position and leverage the full-service delivery capability across key client/market sectors;
- As an Americas Leader of Planning & Real Estate Advisory services deliver resilient strategy, planning, and ‘investible’ solutions to support cross market teams and drive differentiated growth – including leadership of real estate strategy; market analysis, asset positioning, and financial feasibility.
What you'll do
Practice Development
- Contribute to and develop an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable APG in Chicago and across the US. Note that APG actively promotes multi-office and cross market delivery, with the emphasis on building a sustainable practice that leverages talent and resources across the group.
- Partner with regional leadership to expand service offerings, establish and support a clear market strategy, position for downstream work, and extend the Jacobs brand.
- Participate in the growth and development of other key location teams (i.e., New York, Boston, Toronto, DC, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco and other growth markets in the region) and markets (Commercial, Healthcare, Higher Ed, Science, etc.) including key pursuits, thought leadership and client relationships.
- Partner with cross market leadership (water, ports, transportation, environmental, health) to deliver integrated resilience solutions on existing projects/accounts and support the pursuit and delivery of bespoke ‘investible’ projects as part of the global network of SMEs.
Talent
- Work with other APG location and market leaders to build and develop the group wide practice across all key service lines and markets;
- Partner with APG leaders and group leadership team to develop a strategy and collaborative approach to pursuing and delivering work;
- Recruit, guide, mentor and identify continued growth opportunities for staff;
- Work with the APG and regional leadership team to calibrate talent, performance and recognition across the group.
Leadership
- Exhibit servant leader attributes driving a culture of trust, respect, and performance;
- Participate with APG location, market and service line leaders to develop a comprehensive and integrated ‘go to market’ strategy;
- Participate with the local office/s as a member of regional leadership team;
- Participate and contribute at the national practice level in both strategic pursuits and partnerships;
- Develop, evaluate, and make recommendations to aid in growth of the group.
Partnerships, Network Development, and Marketing
- Work with sales team and local partners to keep the sales pipeline current using the CSP platform powered by SalesForce;
- Participate in regularly scheduled APG leadership meetings;
- Identify opportunities to extend the Jacobs brand through speaking, writing, social media and other thought leadership activities;
- Develop, evaluate, and assist in the development of proposals;
- Extend client relationships deep into the organization across APG markets and service lines as well as key regional markets.
Financial
- Develop, evaluate, and monitor the execution of projects against work plans and other key metrics (Gross Margin, AR’s, etc.);
- Execute work plans drawing upon qualified and suitable nationwide staff resources;
- Develop and grow project backlog;
- Identify and mitigate risks to project and client success;
- Work with Group Leadership, Project Controls and Sales to refine quarterly forecasts;
- Work with entire group wide leadership to develop annual business plans – gross margin goals, sales, G&A Budgets, PR, etc.
- Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Architecture, or Landscape Architecture
- Minimum of 20 years of professional experience
- Valid U.S. Driver’s License
- Strong experience in planning and land-based development strategies addressing challenges in urban and suburban areas
- Willingness to travel regionally, nationally, and internationally on a limited basis
- Excellent writing, oral, presentation, and graphic communication skills
Ideally, you'll also have
- Master’s degree (MBA or Master’s in Business Administration preferred) with demonstrated experience in market analysis, land use economics, and financial feasibility
- Professional license/registration
- Experience in Commercial Mixed-Use, Transit-Oriented Development, and transportation-related planning
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
The base salary range for this position is $197,300.00 to $251,100.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on May 18, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
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