Substation Department Manager (Phoenix)

Description The Department Manager will provide leadership and direction for the Southwest Region (SWR) department within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Global Practice. This pivotal role will lead a dynamic team of engineering professionals, ensure technical and project delivery excellence, and drive strategic initiatives that support profitable, sustainable growth. The position will balance execution excellence and innovation with a strong emphasis on culture, diversity, safety, and talent development. Key Responsibilities People Leadership, Culture & Development + Lead by example and foster a dynamic department with a focus on creating an atmosphere and environment for all. + Actively embody and foster a culture based on MacCulture principles, quality, diversity and inclusion, team cohesion, camaraderie, ownership, innovation, and teamwork. + Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of engineers and designers through effective recruitment, coaching, performance management, and regular check-ins. + Provide leadership across multiple offices within the SWR footprint, ensuring consistency, collaboration, equitable support, and in-person intra-departmental coordination. + Serve as a mentor and coach to the team you directly manage, advocate for staff, and support individualized career development and growth plans. + Identify training needs, assist in the development of training, and support execution of training and mentorship programs that strengthen technical excellence and EPC delivery skills. + Organize, lead, and conduct the annual performance appraisal process, and work with Human Resources to prepare, communicate, and monitor performance improvement plans as needed. Recruiting, Interviewing, Hiring, Onboarding & Retention + Proactively recruit top college graduates and experienced engineers and designers through coordinated efforts with Human Resources, staff referrals, universities, and industry networks. + Interview with intention, assess and hire prospective candidates while remaining diligent to uncover and combat unconscious bias throughout the interview process. + Oversee onboarding for interns, new graduates, experienced hires, transfers, and converted contract employees transitioning into the business line. + Support Human Resources on educational partnerships and internship programs and establish measures that increase staff retention. Project Execution & Technical Excellence + Serve as a senior technical advisor on substation projects across the region and support QA/QC processes as needed to advance department staff and maintain delivery excellence. + Monitor project performance and take corrective actions to ensure targets for quality, schedule, and budget are met. + Support compliance with the T&D Quality Management System and advocate for safety within the substation business line, driving a culture focused on safety and compliance with company and site safety policies. + Encourage an innovation culture that challenges the norm and utilizes tools, technology, and processes to drive continuous improvement, engineering outcomes, and project efficiency. + Collaborate with Burns & McDonnell India and cross-regional leadership to optimize resource planning and technical direction. Strategic Planning, Business Growth & Collaboration + Set policies, procedures, and strategic goals for the department and contribute to the development and execution of the substation business plan, including SWOT analysis and vision setting. + Be proactive in thought leadership to enhance profitability and growth and actively participate in conferences and related activities to promote the firmu2019s capabilities. + Partner with Marketing, Projects Director, Account Management, Project Managers, and other key leadership to pursue opportunities, support sales strategies, strengthen client relationships, and evaluate alignment with regional priorities. + Proactively share information with the local team, regional partners, national substation business line leadership, and other department managers to share best practices and continue process improvements. + Collaborate on shared client work with other T&D departments and regional offices to reinforce One Burns & McDonnell. Operational, Resource & Financial Oversight + Establish and proactively communicate the vision, expectations, requirements, processes, and guidelines needed to meet department, global practice, and company objectives. + Regularly review staff utilization to ensure employees have a clear development path, are supported appropriately, and are leveraged to their strengths and skill sets. + Lead coordination of work in the department, including making assignments and reviewing performance to ensure efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff. + Ensure profitable and sustainable growth of the substation department through effective staffing, workload balance, chargeability oversight, overhead labor investment, and project performance monitoring. + Lead continuous improvement efforts in delivery efficiency, processes, organizational consistency, and implementation of project management systems and specialized market offerings, including EPC and program management solutions. Qualifications Required Qualifications + Bacheloru2019s degree in engineering, construction, architecture, or related field from an accredited program. + Minimum seven (7) years of related professional experience in consulting, engineering design, and/or project management within transmission & distribution or a related technical environment. + Proven leadership and supervisory experience in a technical or engineering environment. + Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and analytical and problem-solving skills. + Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE). + Ability to influence, lead, and manage change thoughtfully and positively. + Ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to employees, management, and clients. + Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, poise, and discernment. + Proven planning, collaboration, and facilitation skills. + Demonstrated technical ability in engineering design and project delivery. Preferred Qualifications + Ten (10) or more years of industry experience. + Demonstrated success in recruiting, developing, and retaining engineering talent. + Experience in business development, including proposal writing and client engagement. + Experience with project delivery and business tools such as EcoSys, Microsoft Project, PowerBI, or similar platforms. + Prior experience working in a multi-office, matrixed organizational structure. This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled. EEO/Disabled/Veterans Job Engineering Primary Location US-AZ-Phoenix Schedule: Full-time Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time Req ID: 261567 Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D

Created: 2026-04-15