Senior Technical Director- Power & Energy

About the role

The Senior Technical Director- Power & Energy provides strategic vision, technical leadership, and operational accountability for enterprise-critical programs with large financial and reputational impact. This role directs and oversees professional, technical, and managerial teams, ensuring consistent excellence in program delivery and alignment with organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level oversight and guidance for major programs of significant scope, complexity, and visibility.
• Define strategic direction for program delivery frameworks, methods, and processes across business lines.
• Direct multiple programs concurrently, ensuring that objectives are met on time, within budget, and in compliance with contractual requirements.
• Lead high-level engagements with clients, agency stakeholders, and joint ventures, providing strategic counsel and problem resolution.
• Oversee program governance structures, including steering committees, reporting protocols, and risk escalation pathways.
• Serve as a top subject matter expert in program management and strategic execution across the enterprise.
• Drive the integration of digital tools, sustainability practices, and innovation into program delivery models.
• Manage revenue, profitability, and resourcing targets for the functional area of responsibility.
• Lead development and implementation of WSP’s program management best practices, templates, and training modules.
• Collaborate with other senior leaders to ensure alignment between corporate priorities and program objectives.
• Champion key pursuits, including capture strategies for transformative program opportunities.
• Represent WSP in external forums, industry events, and public engagements as a thought leader and brand ambassador.
• Mentor senior staff, foster a succession pipeline, and support leadership development across the function.
• Support strategic planning efforts, including business case analysis and market forecasting.
• Ensure regulatory compliance, ethical standards, and high safety performance throughout program activities.
• Direct contract development, commercial negotiations, and dispute resolution with clients and partners.
• Engage in enterprise risk management by leading comprehensive reviews of program contingencies and opportunities.
• Promote cultural alignment and collaboration across cross-functional program teams.
• Facilitate integration of program KPIs into organizational reporting and business intelligence systems.
• Identify and resolve conflicts related to interdependent projects, scopes, or stakeholder expectations.
• Approve budgets, forecasts, and expenditures for programs under the functional portfolio.
• Define performance indicators and implement tracking mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Lead transformation initiatives to evolve how WSP delivers complex programs across the business.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a closely related discipline, or demonstrated proven equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of relevant post-education experience in program management or related areas.
• Expertise in managing large, high-profile programs in infrastructure, transportation, energy, or related sectors.
• Strong track record of success overseeing programs exceeding $500M in value.
• Exceptional capability in managing professional, technical, and managerial staff across functions.
• Experience developing enterprise-level program governance frameworks and controls.
• Proven success advising executive clients and stakeholders on program strategies and policy matters.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial modeling, P&L responsibility, and revenue recognition.
• Ability to lead through influence, negotiate complex agreements, and manage political risk.
• Demonstrated leadership in fostering innovation, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills, including public speaking.
• Track record of business development success, including major wins and long-term client growth.
• Deep familiarity with compliance, permitting, and public engagement in regulated environments.
• Experience overseeing performance measurement, benchmarking, and lessons learned systems.
• Strong grasp of federal and state procurement mechanisms and contracting procedures.
• Experience overseeing performance measurement, benchmarking, and lessons learned systems.
• Experience in multicultural team leadership and international project exposure.
• Proficiency in advanced analytics platforms and program performance tools.
• Strong alignment with WSP’s values, ethics, and safety culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and organizational learning.
• Experience directing cross-functional integration of engineering, construction, and advisory services.
• Ability to navigate ambiguous environments and deliver results with high visibility.
• Reputation as a strategic advisor and industry leader in program management.
• Experience aligning programs with enterprise-wide transformation or strategic repositioning.
• Familiarity with capital planning, asset lifecycle, and systems thinking frameworks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of relevant post-education experience in program management or related areas.
• Expertise in managing large, high-profile programs in infrastructure, transportation, energy, or related sectors.
• Strong track record of success overseeing programs exceeding $500M in value.
• Exceptional capability in managing professional, technical, and managerial staff across functions.
• Experience developing enterprise-level program governance frameworks and controls.
• Proven success advising executive clients and stakeholders on program strategies and policy matters.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial modeling, P&L responsibility, and revenue recognition.
• Ability to lead through influence, negotiate complex agreements, and manage political risk.
• Demonstrated leadership in fostering innovation, digital transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills, including public speaking.
• Track record of business development success, including major wins and long-term client growth.
• Deep familiarity with compliance, permitting, and public engagement in regulated environments.
• Experience overseeing performance measurement, benchmarking, and lessons learned systems.
• Strong grasp of federal and state procurement mechanisms and contracting procedures.
• Experience in multicultural team leadership and international project exposure.
• Proficiency in advanced analytics platforms and program performance tools.
• Strong alignment with WSP’s values, ethics, and safety culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and organizational learning.
• Experience directing cross-functional integration of engineering, construction, and advisory services.
• Ability to navigate ambiguous environments and deliver results with high visibility.
• Reputation as a strategic advisor and industry leader in program management.
• Experience aligning programs with enterprise-wide transformation or strategic repositioning.
• Familiarity with capital planning, asset lifecycle, and systems thinking frameworks.

Skills

• Strategic vision and leadership in program management.
• Technical expertise in infrastructure, transportation, energy, or related sectors.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Effective communication and executive presentation skills.
• Business development and client relationship management.
• Program governance and risk management.
• Collaboration and cross-functional leadership.
• Innovation and digital transformation.
• Regulatory compliance and public engagement.
• Leadership development and succession planning.
• Strategic planning and business case analysis.
• Performance measurement and benchmarking.
• Contract development and negotiation.
• Enterprise risk management.
• Team facilitation and integration.
• Decision-making and ethical conduct.
• Strategic advisor and industry thought leadership.

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Pay

Expected Salary (all locations): $168,900 - $264,500

Schedule

Flexible work schedule to accommodate remote work and occasional travel.

Contact

To apply, please visit our careers page at www.wsp.com/careers.