California Department Leader - Cities and Places

Cities & Places 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.

Your impact

The successful candidate will sit in California.

Following the launch of our new Jacobs 5-year growth strategy, we are refreshing our approach and commitment to growth of our Cities & Places in the America’s region. Our Cities and Places Performance Units will have clear accountability for both operations and sales, driving targeted growth across key client sectors. These sectors include Corporate Technology and Life Science & Research clients, as well as emerging s such as Higher Education and Aviation. Additionally, there will be a focus on Design for Design-Build projects and contractor relationships.

As part of this refreshed approach, we are excited to announce a career opportunity for which we are seeking expressions of interest from qualified candidates who wish to be considered for the California Department Leader in Cities and Places. This role will be an enterprise delivery team across the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco tasked with meeting internal and external client needs and growth. This role will require considerable cross- collaboration within the US West.

This role will report directly to the US West Cities & Places Director of Operations.

As the Department Leader (DL) - for California aligned to the West Region, you'll be responsible for direct reports of Group Leaders and Managers of Projects (MOPs) depending on the needs of the US West Region (MOPs may also directly report to the Director of Operations)

As a DL, your critical partnerships are the Functional support team, and "Peer" Department Leaders from across BIA, MOPs, CAMs, CSLs, and RMSLs, and other business units. The DL will be responsible for partnering closely with the West Sales Team, other subregions and enterprise organizations in the US West, and prioritizing team participation in growth opportunities in the region and the US West Cities & Places .

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Supervise and provide leadership to a -aligned team of Group Leaders (GLs).
• Manage and coach GLs on their leadership skills and capabilities; provide skill development and business acumen learning opportunities (near-term professional development).
• Optimize utilization of pool of aligned resources and balance utilization across levels to ensure staffing profitability in accordance with the business forecast. Coordinate across the , geography, region, and globally to optimize resource management/workload leveling and provide opportunities for staff growth.
• Work in partnership with DO and other leaders to deliver the operational performance for the PU (achieve GM goals and manage G&A to budget).
• Coach, develop and mentor staff to deliver superior results collectively and individually. Drive performance expectations and accountability related to meeting quality expectations on all delivered work.
• Steward career development - basic skill development and sustainment, growth opportunities, and skill refinement - across pool of assigned staff. Manage staff performance and career development, utilizing the E3 process and succession planning.
• Coordinate with GLs, PMs, and MoPs to optimize GID engagement across the portfolio to achieve targets as part of overall geographic goals.
• Act as hiring manager where appropriate for new staff locally and with our Global Design Centers, working in concert with others around established hiring plans; including helping our business achieve TogetherBeyond goals and integrates new hires
• Work in partnership with Human Resource (HR) partner and Talent Acquisition (TA) on recruiting and hiring of talent, talent retention, driving Inclusion and Diversity, and exemplifying and leading Jacobs Culture of Caring.
• Partner with Solutions Leaders, Growth Directors and CAMs to action growth strategy supporting staffing proposals, identify appropriate technologists for projects, deliver differentiated solutions to clients, and support staff growth, development, and career opportunities.
• Promote operational discipline by cascading processes, procedures, and other key information to staff and monitor progress.
• Collect, share, and escalate staff feedback, concerns, and headwinds with DO and other leadership to ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Facilitate the development and execution of a staffing/succession plan (rolling 3-year period) with aligned GLs and in partnership with others.
• Achieve annual net staff growth targets and staff retention goals set by the and region.
• Build team culture in concert with strategy/action plan, and communicate with aligned staff routinely (i.e., regular team meetings and 1:1 meetings, etc.)
• Promote BeyondZero, quality, and safety programs to create an incident- and injury-free culture including well-being and mental health.
• Approve time sheets, leave requests, and expense reports for aligned staff. Coordinate, monitor, and approve expenditures, such as specific assets, conference attendance, and committee expenses.

Here's what you'll need

Business Metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPI's):

• Drive portfolio growth by leveraging staff into their specific .
• Utilization meets or exceeds forecasted staff targets
• Capitalize on GID engagement, with a commitment to delivering with regional guidance on what percentage.
• Achieve annual net staff growth target set by geography
• Annual turnover (12 months rolling) below 6%
• 100% annual e3 completion Return offers where applicable).
• HS&E team performance
• High level of demonstrated emotional intelligence/team builder and inspirational leadership
• Adept at interpersonal relationship building, conflict resolution, and leading diverse teams
• Innovative and solutions-oriented thinker
• Leadership and project delivery experience in the
• Must be able to articulate a clear vision and direction and possess strong social, networking, and communication skills (both internal and external)
• Strong portfolio/team performance and business acumen
• Proven track record as a leader in the business
• Demonstrated aptitude, ability, and capacity to build a team
• Strong social, communication, planning, and organizational skills
• Understanding of the holistic role between Director of Operations, Group Leaders, Managers of Projects, Client Account Managers, and Solutions to lead and grow a sustainable team to meet business objectives
• Ability to lead through inclusion, inspiration, and innovation

Posted Salary Range: Minimum

150,000.00

Posted Salary Range: Upper

250,000.00

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 $150,000.00 to $250,000.00. 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 April 24, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

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 .

Locations

City State Country
Los Angeles	California	United States
Irvine	California	United States
San Francisco	California	United States