Managing Director- Building Diagnostics: Houston
Houston
Permanent
USD170000 - USD200000
Building Diagnostics
PR/580880_1776185860
Managing Director- Building Diagnostics: Houston
Managing Director, Building Diagnostics
Forensic Engineering, Building Enclosures, Restoration Engineering
Location: Houston, TX
About the firm
We are a globally respected, multidisciplinary engineering and design firm with a long standing reputation for technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation. Our teams work across the full lifecycle of the built environment, partnering with owners, developers, architects, contractors, insurers, and legal teams to solve complex and high impact challenges.
The firm is known for its strong culture, long term stability, and commitment to investing in people. Leaders are empowered to build teams, shape strategy, and grow practices in a way that aligns with both market opportunity and individual strengths.
The opportunity
We are seeking a senior level Managing Director to lead and grow our Building Diagnostics practice in Houston. The role can be focused on **one primary practice area or span multiple practice areas**, depending on the individual's background, expertise, and interests.
Practice focus areas include:
* Forensic Engineering
* Building Enclosures and Building Science
* Restoration and Rehabilitation Engineering
This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of an established and growing diagnostics platform while having the autonomy to shape the future direction of the practice in one of the most active markets in the country.
Key responsibilities:
Practice leadership and growth:
* Lead the Houston Building Diagnostics practice with responsibility for strategy, growth, and performance.
* Shape the practice around your technical strengths, whether that is one discipline or a combination of forensic engineering, building enclosures, and restoration.
* Develop and execute a clear go to market plan aligned with your focus areas.
* Build and strengthen relationships with building owners, developers, property managers, insurers, attorneys, and design professionals across the Houston market.
* Drive sustainable business development while maintaining a strong focus on technical quality and client service.
* Own P and L performance for the practice and contribute to wider regional and firmwide leadership initiatives.
Technical leadership:
* Serve as Principal in Charge on complex and high risk diagnostics projects.
* Lead forensic investigations related to building failures, construction defects, property losses, water intrusion, and structural distress, where applicable.
* Oversee building enclosure services such as façade assessments, enclosure performance evaluations, roofing and waterproofing diagnostics, and repair design, depending on focus.
* Provide leadership on restoration and rehabilitation projects including repair design, adaptive reuse, materials consulting, testing, and construction administration, where applicable.
* Ensure all deliverables are clear, well documented, and defensible.
Team building and mentorship:
* Build, mentor, and retain a high performing diagnostics team aligned with your practice focus.
* Recruit senior and mid level technical staff as the practice grows.
* Establish a collaborative, accountable culture that supports professional development.
* Support succession planning and long term leadership development in the Houston office.
Client and market leadership:
* Act as a trusted advisor to clients on complex technical and risk related issues.
* Represent the firm in client meetings, pursuits, and industry events.
* Collaborate closely with other internal disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
* Support time sensitive assignments including emergency response or urgent investigations as required.
Practice focus areas:
Forensic Engineering:
* Independent investigations for insurers, attorneys, owners, and developers.
* Cause and origin studies, damage assessments, and expert support.
* Construction defect investigations and professional liability matters.
* Emergency response related to structural failures, weather events, and building damage.
Building Enclosures and Building Science:
* Façade assessments, repair design, and recladding solutions.
* Building enclosure commissioning and peer review services.
* Roofing and waterproofing diagnostics across a wide range of systems.
* Performance based solutions focused on durability, resilience, and lifecycle performance.
Restoration Engineering:
* Structural and building rehabilitation projects.
* Repair and retrofit design for existing buildings.
* Materials consulting, testing, and condition assessments.
* Construction administration and field observation services.
What success looks like in the first year
* Establish a strong leadership presence in the Houston diagnostics market.
* Win and successfully deliver a healthy pipeline of work aligned with your focus area or areas.
* Grow and strengthen the diagnostics team.
* Increase repeat business and long term client relationships.
* Enhance the firm's reputation as a go to provider for building diagnostics services in Houston.
Qualifications:
Required
* 12 plus years of progressive experience in building diagnostics or related fields.
* Depth in at least one of the following, with the ability to collaborate across others: forensic engineering, building enclosures, restoration engineering.
* Proven leadership experience including team management and client development.
* Strong technical judgment and ability to lead complex assignments.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Professional Engineer license in Texas strongly preferred or ability to obtain.
Preferred
* Experience working with insurers and legal teams on forensic matters.
* Expertise in façade systems, roofing, waterproofing, and building science.
* Background in repair design, rehabilitation, and construction administration.
* Established Houston market relationships.
Why join
* Senior leadership role with real autonomy and influence.
* Ability to shape the role around your technical strengths.
* Diverse, technically challenging work across the built environment.
* Stable, well backed firm with a strong collaborative culture.
* Long term career progression and leadership opportunities.
Location
This role is based in Houston, Texas. Local site visits are required, with occasional regional travel depending on project needs.
How to apply
Please submit:
* Resume or CV
* Project list highlighting your primary diagnostics focus
* Brief summary of Houston market relationships and leadership experience
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.