Business Unit Leader - South Region

Mannik Smith Group

Bloomington (IL)

On-site

USD 150,000 - 200,000

Full time

14 days+
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Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision
Life insurance
Disability insurance
401K Retirement Plan
Profit-sharing bonus plan
Paid time off
Positive work environment

Job summary

Mannik Smith Group is seeking a Business Unit Leader for the South Region to oversee performance and strategic direction. The role demands at least 10 years' experience in an engineering or science-based organization, with a strong focus on financial management, leadership, and strategic planning. Competitive compensation ranging from $150,000 to $200,000 per year, along with comprehensive benefits like medical coverage and a 401K plan, awaits the right candidate.

Qualifications

  • At least 10 years leading an engineering or science-based organization.
  • Demonstrated track record of business success.
  • Excellent managerial and financial skills.

Responsibilities

  • Drive growth and financial performance of the business unit.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time and budget.
  • Manage hiring, organizational health, and employee development.

Skills

Leadership
Financial Management
Strategic Planning
Communication Skills
Business Development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Planning, or Landscape Architecture

Job description

Business Unit Leader - South Region

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Bloomington, IL

Compensation: $150,000 - $200,000 / year

Description

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 responsible 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.

What’s in it for you?

We offer an exciting and engaging work environment where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. This position will put you in the driver’s seat to steer our transportation projects to success. If you have a passion for transforming concepts into tangible achievements and hope to accelerate your career, we want you on our team.

Where you’ll work

The position is based in any of our 12 offices in Illinois, Iowa or Wisconsin.

What you’ll get

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally at our progressive firm, which started in 1973. Our people‑first organization is focused on giving our employees the opportunity for growth. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:

  • Medical/dental/vision
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • 401K Retirement Plan
  • Profit‑sharing bonus plan
  • Paid time off
  • An awesome work environment.
Responsibility/Accountability

Strategic Leadership: understand and lead in alignment with the vision of the Platform Partner.

  • Along with Partner President, set direction of business unit through development, execution and leadership of a 3‑year One‑Page Plan.
  • Enlist and align 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.
  • Ensures projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards.
  • Optimizes utilization and billability across technical teams.
  • Drive integration and actionable growth plans for Add‑On M&A opportunities that reside within their Business Unit.
  • Leverages 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 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 engaged with the Platform Partner President and management team to establish and achieve key people metrics such as headcount growth, eNPS/employee engagement, development & 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/Attributes
  • 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 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 understand 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.
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