Substation Department Manager (Ann Arbor Substation Dept)

The WSP Power and Energy (P&E) Power Delivery Substation Business Unit is currently accepting applications for a Department Manager (DM) for the Substation Department in Ann Arbor, MI reporting to the Midwest Vice President, Region Manager. 

This Opportunity

The DM is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the department to produce a product consistent with WSP’s mission statement and our culture. The DM is expected to achieve the goals of the department business plan, maintain WSP’s high-quality standards, promote internal teamwork (intra- and inter-department), and support the needs of our clients. This position is also responsible for assisting with developing, maintaining, and strengthening client relationships associated with projects in the department while supporting corporate initiatives in line with department business plan goals. This individual will manage a team of drafters, designers and engineers. The DM is responsible for working closely with the Vice President, Region Manager (VPRM) and other DMs in the region to accomplish regional strategy goals and to balance direct-award "alliance" client backlog while pursuing competitive-bid local work.

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.
 

Your Impact

• Act as trusted advisor to the VPRM to support the Midwest Region, communicating regularly via: Touchpoints, Region teleconferences, Monthly reporting, Region meetings (travel may be required), Plan audits, Department Manager meetings (travel may be required)
• Manage all financial, technical, and staffing aspects of performance for this Substation Department, including, but not limited to:  Employee timecard approvals, Employee expense approvals, Financial reporting, Weekly and monthly resource planning, Business plans, Employee appraisals, Salary/promotion/bonus recommendations, Department participation in training, Proposals, Project design book audits, Lunch & learns, Mentorship, QA/QC. 
• Apply high-level substation engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation. 
• Develop construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; preparing construction safety and phasing plans and updating infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Develop and incorporate advanced technologies, monitoring devices, building materials, modeling techniques, design requirements. 
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers and scientific professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, concepts, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address structural, environmental, design, and/or construction issues or opportunities. 
• Proactively collaborate with other engineers, professionals, and leaders on proposal and business development opportunities. 
• Remain current in latest substation engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, or closely related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience in engineering discipline and prior design experience.
• Demonstratable experience as a leader of project and/or client teams.
• Demonstrated competence in client team development and growing/maintaining client relationships.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to project work-related issues. 
• Well-defined specific knowledge of relevant electrical codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, MS Office, etc), technology, math principles, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience as a people leader in a management capacity.
• Professional Engineer License. 
• Demonstrated Competence in working with other WSP Departments