Transmission Practice Leader

Provides strategic and operational leadership for an organization responsible for executing highly complex transmission projects and multi-project programs while delivering superior client satisfaction. Guides multiple project teams and Project Managers to achieve cohesive, client-centric outcomes; ensures effective coordination among clients, utilities, regulatory agencies, and multidisciplinary stakeholders; balances competing priorities; and drives strong technical, operational, and financial performance. Directs the growth of the practice and its capabilities to address expanding transmission needs driven by accelerated load growth, large-load development, generation interconnections, aging infrastructure, congestion, and evolving reliability and resiliency requirements.

About the Company

KCI Technologies, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. Recognized as an industry leader, KCI employs cutting-edge technologies, management practices and strategic growth initiatives. Employee ownership fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, encourages technical expertise, and shapes strategic planning. Currently ranked #56 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 design firms in the nation.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and guidance to Project Managers (PMs), Senior Project Managers (Sr. PMs), and staff within the practice.
• Support the professional growth and development of Sr. PMs, PMs, and staff.
• Provide technical project and staff oversight.
• Assume responsibility for the business within the practice, focusing on achieving budgeted margins, project health, and effective cash management across collective projects.
• Collaborate closely with other Practice Leaders to share best practices and optimize collective success.
• Hire and manage work routine of all assigned staff and assign job activities as required.
• Track and coordinate practice performance results.
• Provide project and client leads to other practice leaders to grow their practices.
• Serve as project manager on select projects.
• Ensure all projects within practice follow the quality control procedures outlined in the approved Quality Control Manual.
• Work within the specific Practice and all internal agents to improve quality and production key performance indicators (KPIs) scores relative to similar internal organizations and establish KCI as a top 25% performer benchmarked to its external peers.
• Lead recruiting and retention efforts to attract and retain top talent within the practice.
• Develop and deliver timely annual employee performance appraisals for assigned staff.
• Mentor staff, leading in their training and development.
• Lead negotiations of contract terms, scopes, and fees with clients/subconsultants.
• Lead project schedule development from inception to completion for projects within the Practice.
• Develop monthly progress reports and invoices for projects.
• Prepare monthly staff utilization plans.
• Operate within specified corporate or project budget parameters.
• Manage project administration in accordance with internal and contract-specific requirements.
• Provide monthly cash management (WIP/AR) comments to Finance and the Project Management Office.
• Provide weekly new project budget data and invoicing data to project analysts.
• Drive business development initiatives by maximizing opportunities with existing and new clients, gathering valuable insights for business planning purposes, and cross-selling other KCI services where applicable.
• Lead project opportunity evaluation, consultant selection, and the preparation of qualification/experience statements within Practice.
• Identify new business opportunities, coordinate and participate in project presentations to clients and other external groups, develop and organize proposal teams, and promote KCI’s capabilities among existing and prospective clients within Practice.
• Develop and maintain customer relationships by soliciting performance feedback, identifying client needs, and positioning the firm to be assigned the next project.
• Provide input for the annual business development plan to achieve sales target to the Regional Director.
• Provide and review annual market research in preparation for annual business plan development.
• Provide market trends to the Regional Director and Discipline Director for strategic planning purposes.
• Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.
• Ensure practice fulfills Quality Management System compliance requirements.
• Participate and contribute to annual leadership meeting.
• Participate in and contribute to applicable regional office forums.
• Represent KCI in technical/industry and community organizations.
• Develop project-specific safety plans as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all Federal, state, and local safety rules and regulations.
• Deliver all projects on time, within budget and at a high level of quality while fully meeting the scope.
• Monitor effective use of equipment and personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (AEC Industry) and minimum of 7 years of related professional experience, or 11 years of equivalent professional experience.
• Progressive professional and increasing project management and organizational management experience.
• Proven experience in project management roles within the technical practice.
• Demonstrated leadership capability to build and lead teams of technical practitioners and/or project managers.
• Strong interpersonal as well as verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage budgets, project margins, and cash flow.
• Experience in business development, with a focus on maximizing client relationships and identifying growth opportunities.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within the Practice.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions.
• Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools used in the practice area.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to the service line.

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of overhead and underground transmission engineering, design, and construction principles for systems ranging from 69 kV through 500 kV.
• Strong understanding of regional and interregional transmission needs, including accelerated load growth, transmission congestion, transfer-capacity limitations, aging infrastructure, resource adequacy, and changing generation locations and technologies.
• Advanced proficiency in transmission engineering and analysis software, including the PLS-CADD software suite, MFAD, LPILE, and related tools, with the ability to establish best practices and train and mentor others.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable engineering codes and standards, including NESC, IEC, ASCE, ACI, IEEE, ANSI, and client-specific utility requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of transmission structure and foundation design, geotechnical considerations, constructability, and construction methods.
• Demonstrated ability to independently review and approve engineering calculations, design drawings, specifications, and transmission-line models developed using PLS-CADD and related software.
• Demonstrated proficiency in preparing and reviewing client-specific technical reports, design criteria, studies, specifications, and construction documents for transmission engineering projects.
• Experience conducting or overseeing electric and magnetic field (EMF) studies and related transmission-line analyses.
• Strong knowledge of grid interconnection requirements and the transmission improvements associated with generation interconnections, large-load development, capacity expansion, reliability, and resiliency needs.
• Demonstrated experience developing and coordinating permitting packages and technical documentation for applicable federal, state, and local agencies, including DOT, DEP, FAA, and other authorities having jurisdiction.
• Experience evaluating and implementing transmission expansion and modernization solutions, including new facilities, rebuilds, uprating, reconductoring, advanced conductors, and grid-enhancing technologies, with consideration of system benefits, constructability, permitting, schedule, and lifecycle cost.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Advanced degree in engineering, business administration, engineering management, or a related field.
• Established relationships with investor-owned utilities, public power entities, cooperatives, transmission developers, and other energy-industry clients across multiple geographic markets.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing a transmission practice growth strategy, including entering new markets, expanding service offerings, building backlog, and achieving sustained revenue and profitability goals.
• Experience leading large, complex, or multiyear transmission programs involving multiple projects, offices, disciplines, subconsultants, and utility stakeholders.
• Familiarity with regional and interregional transmission planning, RTO/ISO processes, generation and large-load interconnections, and infrastructure needs associated with accelerated load growth.
• Experience with alternative project delivery methods such as design-build, P3, and EPC.

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package, family-friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring, and resources you need to advance in your career. As a 100% employee-owned firm, achievements are shared and celebrated, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and encouraging technical expertise.