Deputy Director

The Deputy Director serves as the President's principal delegate, empowered to support and align the department leaders of Business Development, Engineering, and Operations. The Deputy Director operates with the President's full confidence and delegated authority to ensure cohesion across functions.

This role is responsible for facilitating the execution of strategic initiatives, establishing and documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs), and fostering cross-departmental collaboration to achieve organizational goals. Acting as a trusted advisor, integrator, and enabler of success, the Deputy Director provides the structure, guidance, and influence necessary to strengthen leadership effectiveness and advance the organization's collective performance.

Success in this position requires exceptional leadership, interpersonal influence, and sound judgment, with the ability to unite diverse perspectives, drive accountability, and champion operational excellence on behalf of the Division President.

Position Impact

The Deputy Director plays a pivotal role in uniting departmental leaders, strengthening organizational discipline, and advancing the President's strategic vision. By aligning priorities, building leadership capacity, and ensuring consistency in processes and culture, this role drives the integration and execution of cross-functional initiatives that propel the organization forward.

Acting as a trusted advisor and empowered delegate of the President, the Deputy Director ensures that every department operates not as a silo, but as part of a cohesive, high-performing enterprise. The result is an organization that is more agile, collaborative, and positioned for sustained scalable success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Alignment
   • Act as the President's proxy in meetings and decision-making forums, ensuring departmental alignment with organizational goals and protecting the long-term interests of the business.
   • Translate the President's strategic vision into actionable priorities, creating clear roadmaps, cascading goals, and ensuring disciplined execution across all business functions.
   • Support the President in strategic planning and executive communications, preparing materials, synthesizing information, and representing organizational priorities to key stakeholders.
   • Represent the President in external engagements-with clients, partners, and stakeholders-when delegated, projecting professionalism and credibility.
2. Operational Excellence and Accountability
   
   • Oversee and monitor organizational performance by tracking key metrics, reviewing departmental initiatives, and proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and areas requiring escalation.
   • Lead and coordinate cross-functional projects, task forces, and strategic initiatives that require collaboration across multiple disciplines, ensuring timely, effective outcomes.
   • Establish, document, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to create consistency, efficiency, and scalability across departments and teams.
   • Strengthen governance practices by aligning decision-making structures, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with organizational standards.
3. Organizational Development and Leadership Growth
   
   • Mentor, coach, and develop department leaders, building leadership capacity, fostering collaboration, and encouraging a culture of accountability and shared ownership.
   • Champion change management initiatives, helping leaders and staff navigate transitions, adopt new practices, and sustain improvements over time.
   • Foster innovation and continuous improvement by challenging existing processes, encouraging creative problem-solving, and ensuring adaptability in a dynamic environment.
   • Ensure knowledge sharing and effective communication flows across departments so that information, lessons learned, and best practices are widely accessible.
4. Collaboration, Mediation, and Culture
   
   • Serve as mediator and integrator among departments, resolving conflicts, removing barriers to progress, and enabling efficient, collaborative decision-making.
   • Drive organizational alignment in culture, policies, and processes, ensuring that leaders and teams operate under a unified vision and approach.
   • Model and promote values of transparency, trust, and collaboration, reinforcing a positive organizational culture that drives both performance and engagement.
5. Supervisory Responsibilities
   • Provides indirect leadership and oversight of department leaders through delegated authority from the President, ensuring alignment and collaboration across all business functions.
   • Coaches, mentors, and develops senior leadership talent, strengthening capabilities, fostering accountability, and preparing leaders for future growth opportunities.
   • Leads and directs special project teams, cross-functional initiatives, and task forces as assigned by the President, driving integration, execution, and measurable outcomes.

Job Requirements / Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, finance, or a related field required; advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Leadership Experience: Extensive senior management experience with demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and initiatives in complex organizational environments.
• Influence and Collaboration: Proven ability to build alignment and drive results through influence, fostering cooperation among senior leaders without direct reporting authority.
• Strategic Acumen: Strong strategic thinking and planning capabilities, paired with disciplined execution and a track record of achieving measurable outcomes.
• Communication Excellence: Exceptional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to negotiate, persuade, and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Talent Development: Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing leadership talent to strengthen organizational capability and prepare future leaders.
• Operational Expertise: Demonstrated success in managing large-scale, cross-functional projects and initiatives that require integration across multiple business units.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends to support critical organizational needs.
• Travel: Ability to travel to company offices, client sites, and industry events as required.

EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement Willdan is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, religion, military service or veteran status, disability, medical condition, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic testing, reproductive status or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Willdan does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us.

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