Dakotas/Wyoming Area Operations Manager

HDR, Inc.; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. seeks an Area Operations Manager to lead the Dakotas/Wyoming practice, guiding a 200-strong staff and partnering with regional leadership to plan, operate, and grow infrastructure, environmental, planning and consulting services.

You will drive area strategic plans, oversee budgets, support local managers, manage client relationships, and mentor departmental leaders while upholding HDR's employee-owned culture and commitment to inclusion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• Minimum of 10 years experience in development and management of diverse teams
• Professional Engineering (PE) registration is preferred
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Leadership and organizational skills
• Active participant in employee-owned culture

Responsibilities

• Assist area strategic and operating plan development and budgeting.
• Lead regional initiatives with Directors for growth and profitability.
• Coordinate area operations with local managers on marketing, staff development, and client relations.
• Manage client relationships and act as client manager for key accounts.
• Mentor departmental leaders and promote staff communication and career development.
• Implement company policies on quality, safety, recruiting and risk management.

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

You are a strategic thinker, a curious problem solver, connector, and organizer. You understand the infrastructure, compliance and funding challenges facing our public leaders who are creating the vision for the future of the built environment in Dakotas/Wyoming.

You are an inspiring leader who thrives on working with diverse teams towards a common goal. You are a natural collaborator armed with high levels of emotional intelligence which helps you to connect with and channel the strengths of our leadership and staff. You embrace diversity and pride yourself on setting the tone for an inclusive environment so our employees can bring their genuine, best version of themselves to work every day; this helps us to offer the greatest solutions to our clients and the communities they serve. You are a visionary who thrives on seeing others succeed and embraces the core theme of our 2027 Strategic Plan recognizing that together “We Make Great Things Possible” leads us further along our journey to become Unrivaled.

We are seeking an Area Operations Manager to help to continue to drive our successful business for Dakotas and Wyoming. In this role you will partner with our senior Business Group and Operations leadership teams to plan what is possible, navigate the successful operation and growth of our Dakotas and Wyoming practice, and meet company goals and objectives. You will be at the helm of a powerful team that is focusing daily on the delivery of infrastructure, environmental, planning and consulting services. This position will oversee over 200 staff across our Dakotas/Wyoming area.

In the role of Dakotas/Wyoming Area Operations Manager, we will count on you to:

• Assist business groups in development of area strategic and operating plans and budgets.
• Partner with Regional Business Group directors to drive implementation of area key initiatives, key hires, investments, and company and regional strategies for growth and profitability.
• Assist the Regional Director of Operations in coordination and implementation of area operational strategies, goals and actions in cooperation with company and regional business group managers.
• Support local managers in implementing and monitoring area operations including marketing, project services, staff development, quality and client relations, all within established company goals and objectives.
• Be involved in the local communities, trade associates, and with clients to be a face of HDR throughout Dakotas/Wyoming.
• Act as a Client Manager for key clients in the local market.
• Assist in special regional assignments and issue resolution.
• Monitor area performance indicators and oversee actions for improvement.
• Collaborate with group supervisors to improve client service, meet company goals and increase growth and profitability.
• Facilitate and encourage staff communication, training and career development, and serve as mentor for departmental leaders.
• Implement company policy and procedures, including quality, safety, recruiting and risk management.
• Serve as role model in business and the community.
• Work with area groups and Project Managers on problem projects and issues resolution.
• Possess signatory authority as needed.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Engineering (PE) registration is highly preferred
• Experience working for an A/E/C consulting firm

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• A minimum of 10 years experience in development and management of diverse teams
• Maintains a professional or Engineering registration and has related technical experience
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location:United States-South Dakota-Sioux Falls Other Locations:United States-North Dakota-Bismarck, United States-Wyoming-Gillette, United States-North Dakota-Fargo, United States-South Dakota-Rapid City, United States-Wyoming-Lander Industry:Operational Leadership Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Marketing and Admin Job Posting:Oct 21, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.