Business Unit Leader - South Region

About the Role

Trilon is a holding company that buys and builds market-leading engineering services companies organized through different platform end markets and geographies. Trilon Partner Business Unit VPs are responsible for the overall outcome of their respective business unit by driving internal collaboration, hiring, mentoring, retaining all-star leaders, and owning organic growth – all in partnership with the other Partner Business Units, Partner President, and the Platform Team.

The Business Unit VP is responsible for the financial performance, strategic direction, and operational execution of the business unit. The business unit leader drives growth, ensures technical excellence, and develops talent within their business unit while also working collaboratively within their broader Platform Partner and Platform to grow backlog, revenue, EBITDA, and other key financial metrics. Additionally, this key role is responsible for creating and sustaining Trilon’s People First culture and is accountable for hiring, organizational health, employee development, and other key talent-related metrics. The Business Unit VP is a key member of the senior leadership team and will play a pivotal role in scaling the firm through sound management of people, projects, and processes.

This position is based in any of our 12 offices in Illinois, Iowa, or Wisconsin. At Fehr Graham, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized attention and building trust with our clients. We believe in work-life balance, including injecting a healthy dose of fun into everything we do as part of our Core Values. We celebrate milestones and enjoy friendly team-building activities and office outings after work.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Understand and lead in alignment with the vision of the Platform Partner. Along with the Partner President, set the direction of the business unit through development, execution, and leadership of a 3-year One-Page Plan. Enlist and align the Business Unit team in strategic, operational, people, and financial targets for the Platform Partner. Actively lead and grow the Business Unit while collaborating with and supporting other Business Units, the Platform Partner, and the Platform. Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards. Optimize utilization and billability across technical teams. Drive integration and actionable growth plans for Add-On M&A opportunities within the Business Unit. Leverage extraordinary communication skills and executive presence to align, motivate, and inform talent throughout the business unit.
• Fiscal Management: Ensure the business exceeds or meets annual and quarterly financial targets. Demonstrate a strong understanding of relevant financial metrics and KPIs with an emphasis on achieving Net Service Revenue and EBITDA growth targets. Drive a culture of strong fiscal and business acumen that empowers the team to seek continuous improvement in core smart metrics of book-to-burn, revenue factor, overhead rate, and net DSO. Play an active role in the annual budgeting process. Directly supervise and evaluate Business Unit staff and the financial and operational performance of projects within their business unit. Own financial and key non-financial performance areas such as safety, client engagement, staff development and retention, and cross-business collaboration. Maintain ~30-50% UTE levels primarily through project reviews and/or the management of larger projects.
• Business Development: Maintain clear alignment with the strategic direction of the Platform Partner in pursuit of strategic clients, wallet share expansion, application of technology, and cross-selling. Prioritize business development toward markets, clients, and projects that present the greatest potential for sustainable growth in revenue, earnings, and talent for the Business Unit and Platform Partner. Challenge and focus business development professionals to pursue larger opportunities that reflect the size and collective strength of all of Trilon (without diluting the core and highly profitable repeat smaller projects for clients). Drive long-term organic growth in backlog, revenue, and earnings. Bring strong community advocacy for sustainable infrastructure development and ensure the team is active in client engagement, industry participation, and thought leadership.
• Company and Culture Champion: Maintain high engagement and eNPS scores across the Business Unit. Build followership and create a positive culture in the Business Unit by listening to employees and supporting an environment of belonging and equity. Actively engage with the Platform Partner President and management team to establish and achieve key people metrics such as headcount growth, eNPS/employee engagement, development and acceleration of careers, and best-in-class employee retention. Foster a culture of collaboration and consistently promote cross-functional work in partnership with the Trilon family of firms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in a technical discipline (Engineering, Science, Planning, Landscape Architecture).
• Extensive professional experience including at least 10 years leading an engineering or science-based organization that offers diverse services (environmental, facilities, transportation, water, etc.); or an operational or business development unit within such an organization is required.
• Demonstrated track record of business success based on recognized industry metrics.
• Excellent managerial and financial skills and the ability to take ownership over the business unit while leading with a People First mindset.
• Superlative communication skills, especially the ability to communicate as a leader with internal and external stakeholders, political leaders, regulators, and the media.
• Highly developed strategic thinking, financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills; financially disciplined and metrics-driven.
• Demonstrated history of successfully managing a P&L, leading a division, and/or multiple large projects and programs, and understanding the levers for profitable growth.
• Uses data plus operational and financial KPIs to inform decision-making.
• Coachable, low-ego, and receptive to feedback.
• High level of self-awareness.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan
• Profit-sharing bonus plan
• Paid time off
• An awesome work environment with opportunities for professional growth

Pay

$150,000 - $200,000 / year