Practice Leader - Transmission Engineering

Join us as we Rise to the Challenge

At KCI, we're building an enduring community that provides unparalleled value to our employee-owners. We make our mark designing and delivering our world-class solutions, so we invest deeply in supporting and developing our team. We reward integrity and commitment, and when we do well, you do well. Our employee's have the freedom to innovate, unlimited growth, a voice that matters, a lifestyle that works, and skin in the game. Achievements are shared and celebrated. As a team, we are motivated to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us.

THE COMPANY

KCI Technologies, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. KCI is recognized as an industry leader, employing cutting-edge technologies, management practices and strategic growth initiatives. Employee ownership fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, encourages technical expertise, and shapes strategic planning.

KCI is currently ranked #56 on Engineering News-Record's list of the Top 500 design firms in the nation.

KCI BENEFITS INFORMATION

We offer a competitive compensation package, family friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring and resources you need to advance in your career.

We understand that you have choices, and we know that together we will make a great team!

KCI is committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

KCI Technologies, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

The Practice Leader of Transmission Engineering leads an organization that is responsible for executing highly complex projects or multi-project programs while providing superior client satisfaction. This role provides operational oversight and strategic direction, often managing multiple project teams and guiding Project Managers to achieve cohesive, client centric, large-scale outcomes. The Practice Leader is instrumental in ensuring seamless coordination across numerous stakeholders, balancing competing demands, driving strong financial performance, and creating an exciting, high performing culture.

The Practice Leader will have an expert grasp of interpersonal dynamics, strong leadership, deep organizational acumen, and the ability to successfully lead a team that executes high-stakes projects from inception through delivery. This role requires an experienced leadership professional who assumes a pivotal role in both day-to-day and strategic leadership, financial management, business and account development, marketing, coordination, collaboration, team building, mentoring and staff development within the Transmission Engineering Practice.

Key Technical Skills Required:

Extensive knowledge of transmission engineering and transmission line construction principles- 69 kV to 500 kV

• Highly proficient in the use of transmission engineering software tools (PLS-CADD software suite, MFAD, LPILE etc.) with an ability to train others.

• Extensive knowledge of engineering standards including NESC, IEC, ASCE, ACI, IEEE and ANSI.

• Strong working knowledge of foundation design and construction principles.

• Demonstrated ability to perform independent reviews of work performed by other engineers including calculations, drawing preparation, and transmission line models based in PLS-CADD.

• Demonstrated proficiency at developing client specified technical reports as they relate to transmission engineering projects.

• Experience conducting EMF studies and analysis as they relate to transmission lines

• Experience and knowledge of grid interconnection requirements

• Demonstrated experience developing permitting packages for various agencies. DOT, DEP, FAA, etc.

The key responsibilities of this role include:

Leadership and Management:

• Effectively lead a project management and engineering team that handles all aspects of transmission projects This includes technical staff, subcontractors, and suppliers, to ensure timely and successful project completion.

• Provide leadership and guidance to Project Managers (PMs) and Senior Project Managers (Sr. PMs), and staff within the practice.

• Assume responsibility and possess a high level of ownership for the business within the practice, focusing on client satisfaction, exceeding budgeted margins, project health, and effective cash management across collective projects.

• Support the professional growth and development of Sr. PMs, PMs, and staff. Provide technical project and staff oversight, as needed.

• Develop project specific scope of work and contract documents incompliance with client requirements and in alignment with industry standard of care.

• Monitor project budgets and expenditures, implementing cost-control measures as needed to ensure projects remain within budgetary constraints.

• Uphold high-quality standards throughout the practice, overseeing quality assurance processes and ensuring adherence to industry standards and best practices and project specific specifications.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client, maintaining open communication and addressing client concerns or inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and project team members to drive project success and foster a collaborative working environment.

• Ensure that Project Managers are in compliance with contract scope, schedule, fee including change orders.

• Allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that the project team is adequately staffed and equipped to meet project demands.

• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impact on project.

• Conduct risk assessments and prepare contingency plans.

Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development:

• Lead recruiting and retention efforts to attract and retain top talent within the practice.

• Develop and deliver timely annual employee performance appraisals for assigned staff.

• High level of engagement in mentoring, leading, and training staff.

• Ability to provide training to engineers on PLS-CADD, MFAD, etc.

• Mentor Project Managers and Engineers at lower levels to assist in their training and development.

• Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.

• Ensure projects fulfill Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.

• Provide input to develop project-specific safety plans and implement project safety plans to ensure compliance with all Federal, state, and local safety rules and regulations.

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Strong project management financial acumen and proven ability to develop accurate project cost estimates to be used in client proposal submittals.

• Responsible for negotiating contract terms, scope and fees with a client/subconsultant.

• Responsible for developing project schedules from inception to completion

• Develop contracts for clients/ subconsultants.

• Report monthly proposal/business development results to Regional Practice Leader.

• Achieve or exceed budgeted individual utilization target (85% typical).

• Chart and provide project performance results.

• Deliver all projects on time and within budget while fully meeting the scope.

• Operate within specified (corporate or project) budget parameters.

• Prepare and submit monthly project completion report.

• Prepare inter-practice agreements and/or outside subcontracts as required.

• Prepare monthly progress reports for all projects and be able to discuss in monthly Project Review Meetings.

• Responsible for project cash management (WIP/AR) and providing comments to Finance and Operations monthly.

• Set-up new projects and provide weekly new project data to the Regional Practice Leader.

• Search for ways to improve efficiency while lowering project cost.

Business Development and Marketing:

• Drive business development initiatives by maximizing opportunities with existing and new clients, gathering valuable insights for the purpose of business planning, and cross-selling other KCI services whenever possible.

• Lead project opportunity evaluation, consultant selection, and the preparation of qualification/experience statements within Practice.

• Lead identification of new business opportunities, coordinating and participating in project presentations to clients and other external groups, developing and organizing proposal teams and promoting KCI's capabilities among existing and prospective clients within Practice.

• Responsible for participating in project opportunity evaluations, consultant selections, and the preparation of qualification/experience statements.

• Travel and participation at major industry conferences is expected

• Responsible for identifying new business opportunities, coordinating and participating in project presentations to clients and other external groups, developing and organizing proposal teams and promoting KCI's capabilities among existing and prospective clients.

• Assist project closeout with an overall project write up and pictures of completed project for marketing/resume use.

• Involvement in industry and community organizations.

Client Relationship Management:

• Maintain a high level of focus on developing and maintaining customer relationships by soliciting performance feedback, identifying client needs, and positioning the firm to be assigned the next project.

• Provide input for the annual business development plan to achieve sales targets to the senior leadership.

• Provide and review annual market research in preparation for annual business plan development.

• Provide market trends to the Regional Director and Discipline Director for strategic planning purposes.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.

• Ensure practice fulfills Quality Management System compliance requirements.

• Participate and contribute to annual leadership meeting.

• Participate in and contribute to applicable regional office forums.

• Represent KCI in technical/industry and community organizations.

Safety and Project Management:

• Develop project specific safety plans, as needed. Ensure compliance with all Federal, state, and local safety rules and regulations.

• Deliver all projects on time, within budget and at a high level of quality while fully meeting the scope.

• Monitor effective use of equipment and personnel.

• Experience providing guidance to a team that is responsible for developing project schedules from inception to completion

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in related field (AEC Industry) and minimum of 7 years of related professional experience, or 11 years of equivalent professional experience.
• Progressive professional and increasing project management and organizational management experience.
• Proven experience in project management roles within the technical practice.
• Demonstrated leadership capability to build and lead teams of technical practitioners and/or project managers.
• Strong interpersonal as well as verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage budgets, project margins, and cash flow.
• Experience in business development, with a focus on maximizing client relationships and identifying growth opportunities.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within the Practice.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions.
• Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools use in the practice area.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to the service line.

Certificates, licenses, and/or Registrations Required:

• Professional Engineering license in at least one state and the ability to become licensed in other states immediately upon starting in the position.
• Successful completion of the KCI PM Training and Contract Training (for current employees) or ability to complete within six months (for new hires.)