Position Summary
The Technical Director serves as an internal resource to increase the technical capabilities of the entire Utility Infrastructure Group. A Technical Director works under the direction of the Utility Infrastructure leadership and serves as a technical expert representing us to existing and potential clients. Responsibilities of this role are divided among providing technical direction on complex projects; knowledge sharing/mentoring of less-experienced staff; quality management; development/maintenance of technical standards; and pursuit of new project opportunities.
Specific Duties
A Technical Director must be proficient in all the engineering and management tasks of Engineers and Project Managers and draw on their broad engineering experience and areas of expertise to contribute to the Utility Infrastructure Group.
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical guidance to utility infrastructure staff in the areas of regulatory compliance, funding sources, alternative project delivery, construction, utility management, drinking water (source of supply, treatment, residuals handling, pumping, distribution, storage), wastewater (collection, CSOs, lift stations, treatment, biosolids), and stormwater management (drainage, green infrastructure)
- Provide technical direction on high-profile, large, and/or complex projects
- Solve technical problems
- Write technical papers and conduct presentations at conferences maintaining a reputation in the industry as a subject matter expert
- Participate in local and/or national industry, professional, and community organizations
- Communicate complex ideas to a diverse audience
Quality Assurance
- Lead quality management process
- Provide quality review of projects at milestones
- Lead improvement/development of standard design documents and tools
Staff Development
- Lead knowledge sharing internally by organizing continuing education programs
- Develop technical skills of Engineers and Project Managers
- Develop Project Managers to prepare proposals, establish fees, create/maintain client relationships
- Provide feedback on employee technical capabilities for performance evaluations
- Lead collegiate environmental engineering outreach program
- Participate in employee hiring process
Marketing and Sales
- Look for opportunities to sell new projects to existing and new clients
- Identify and pursue strategic markets
- Accompany business development staff to establish new client relationships and provide technical support
- Develop the proposal for project work, scope of work, services, subconsultant agreements and fees (or work with appropriate staff to get this accomplished)
- Understand past project performance, historical, and industry data to determine project costs and to develop pricing for maximum profitability in the market
Client Management
- Maintain positive relationships with existing clients, focused on developing profitable repeat work
- Serve as Principal-in-Charge for selected clients
Performance Metrics
The primary measurement of success for this position is overall project performance within our Utility Infrastructure Group. Other measurements are as follows:
- Utilization rate goal of 60%
- Technical accuracy and completeness of projects as measured by client satisfaction and construction
- Training and mentoring efforts
- Growth of Utility Infrastructure business in strategic markets
- Active participation project pursuits
- Active participation in professional organizations
- Number of client relationships established and maintained
- Meeting effectiveness as measured by presenting information, solving problems, making decisions
- Keeps leadership informed of project status
- Maintains professional relationship with staff and elicits cooperation
- Keeps up with codes, design guidelines, policy manuals and their application
- Explores alternative and innovative approaches to problems before deciding on a course of action
