Director of Engineering

Description

  The Director of Engineering is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management, financial performance, and growth of the firm's engineering operations, including both Civil/Land Development and Water/Wastewater practice areas. This leader oversees engineering staff, project delivery, business development, client relationships, resource planning, budgeting, and operational excellence across multiple offices and disciplines.

The Director of Engineering serves as a member of the senior leadership team and is responsible for ensuring the firm's technical services are delivered safely, efficiently, profitably, and in alignment with the company's strategic goals. This position provides leadership to engineering managers, project managers, and technical staff while driving organizational growth and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Essential Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the engineering division's strategic plan in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Establish  annual growth, revenue, profitability, staffing, and operational goals.
• Provide leadership and direction for Civil/Land Development and Water/Wastewater business units.
• Identify new market opportunities, service offerings, and geographic expansion initiatives.
• Participate in executive leadership planning and decision-making.

Operational Management

• Direct the overall operations of engineering departments and project teams.
• Ensure consistent project execution, quality control, and adherence to company  standards.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), utilization rates, project profitability,  backlog, and resource allocation.
• Drive process improvements that increase efficiency and project delivery effectiveness.
• Develop and implement best practices for project management and engineering  operations.

Financial Management & Budgeting

• Develop and  manage annual departmental budgets.
• Monitor revenues, expenses, profitability, and forecasting.
• Review project financial performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Support pricing strategy, contract reviews, and project risk management.
• Ensure achievement of revenue, margin, and growth objectives.

Staff Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop engineering managers, project managers, and technical staff.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning, and organizational development.
• Conduct  performance evaluations and establish individual development plans.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, safety, innovation, and professional growth.
• Support employee engagement and retention initiatives.

Client Development & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipal, commercial, industrial, and      development clients.
• Serve as an executive-level point of contact for key accounts and strategic projects.
• Lead major pursuits, presentations, proposals, and negotiations.
• Support business development efforts and identify opportunities for revenue growth.
• Increase client satisfaction through exceptional project execution and responsiveness.

Project Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of engineering projects and programs.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Monitor project risks, staffing demands, and workload allocation.
• Review and resolve escalated project issues and client concerns.
• Champion quality assurance and quality control initiatives.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee engineering standards and professional practice requirements.
• Mitigate operational, contractual, and project risks.
• Promote workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
• Support legal and contractual review processes as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's  Degree in Civil, Environmental, or related Engineering discipline      required.
• Master's Degree  preferred.
• Professional  Engineer (PE) required.
• Florida PE   License required or ability to obtain through reciprocity.
• 15+ years of  progressive engineering experience.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams.
• Experience overseeing multiple engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated  success leading engineering operations and project delivery.
• Proven business development and client management experience.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, staffing plans, and financial performance.