Dam Practice Lead

Spicer Group Inc.; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k)-match program

Paid Holidays

Sick and Vacation Days

Profit Sharing

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Development

Excellent Working Conditions

Work-Life Balance

Fitness Reimbursement

Job summary

Spicer Group is seeking a Dam Practice Lead for our Surface Water division in Michigan. You will oversee dam-related projects, manage utilization and financial performance, and contribute to invoicing, proposals, and contracts.

The role may involve project management or SME responsibilities on large multidisciplinary efforts while mentoring technical staff and guiding quality service delivery. Strategic planning, marketing, and strong client relationships are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related business field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in at least one state.
• Related professional certification(s) or qualifications.
• Ability to travel as needed for company leadership meetings and project related work.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (preferred)

Responsibilities

• Oversees project deliverables within the Dam Practice of a Surface Water area, ensuring high-quality execution and adherence to deadlines and budgets.
• Management of overall utilization and realization of Dam practice.
• Supports and contributes to Dam practice area financial performance.
• Supports quality management strategy; identifies and mitigates risk.
• Supports and contributes to Surface Water and Dam engineering utilization budgeting.
• Prepares and assists with invoicing and collection of A/R for technical service area clients.
• Provides input for proposal “Go/No Go” decisions; if pursued, contribute technical write-ups, scope, and fees.
• Participates in contract negotiations and interviews when proposals are won.
• Provides input on proposals, staffing, and budgeting.
• Compiles project teams and pursues vetted work obtained through regional client development relationships.
• Serves as Project Manager or subject matter expert on projects within the dam practice area; may serve as Project Manager on large multidisciplinary projects.
• Partners cross-functionally with Practice Leads from other service areas to complete work.
• Writes professional service agreements by request.
• Aligns with leadership team on company goals and vision.
• Participates in relevant strategic planning committees.
• Establishes effective communications throughout the dam technical service area.
• Participates in developing and administering dam marketing.
• Supports key client and partner relationships within dam service area per regional strategic plans.
• Engages in industry initiatives within technical service area that are aligned with regional strategic plans.
• Markets expertise through articles, awards, speaking opportunities, presentations, etc., at industry conferences, publications, and associations.
• Participates in client maintenance plans as directed by regional staff
• Manages technical practice area employees through partnering with Surface Water Director on performance quality and management, attendance, hiring within the technical practice area, training and mentoring, technical professional development, and the completion of annual performance reviews

Education

Bachelor's degree in related business field

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Dam Practice Lead Water Resources / Surface Water Service Line Position Summary

Spicer Group is seeking a Dam Practice Lead to join our Surface Water division. This Dam Practice Lead will be responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of dam-related projects, ensuring quality, adherence to deadlines, and budget compliance. This role manages overall practice utilization and financial performance, supports quality management initiatives, and mitigates project risks. The Dam Practice Lead prepares and assists with invoicing, contributes to proposal development and contract negotiations, and may serve as Project Manager or subject matter expert on key projects, including large multidisciplinary efforts. Additionally, the position involves strategic planning and communication, aligning with company leadership and participating in marketing initiatives. The Dam Practice Lead fosters strong client and partner relationships, promotes industry engagement, and markets the practice’s expertise through various channels. They also oversee the performance, development, and mentoring of technical staff within the practice area, ensuring high standards of service delivery and professional growth.

THE COMPANY

Spicer Group is a multi-disciplinary engineering, surveying, and planning company. With offices in Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia, Spicer Group continues to expand its geographic footprint. We are committed to providing our teams with technical support throughout these offices to continually build upon our success year after year. Spicer Group is committed to maintaining its tightly held private ownership, with no interest in selling to larger AEC firms. This commitment provides significant ownership opportunities for high performers and people that uphold our core values and build successful teams. Spicer Group was given the prestigious 2026 Circle of Excellence Platinum Award, recognized by PSMJ. Spicer Group prides itself on our core values of commitment to growth, great client relationships, excellent services and solutions, maintaining a team environment, and having integrity in all we do. We are seeking a candidate who will strive to uphold these values.

Spicer Group, Inc. offers a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our respect and commitment for our employees, their contributions, professional goals, and personal goals. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Competitive Pay
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options
• 401(k)-match program
• Paid Holidays
• Sick and Vacation Days
• Profit Sharing
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development
• Excellent Working Conditions
• Work-Life Balance
• Fitness Reimbursement

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project and Financial Management

• Oversees project deliverables within the Dam Practice of a Surface Water area, ensuring high-quality execution and adherence to deadlines and budgets
• Management of overall utilization and realization of Dam practice
• Supports and contributes to Dam practice area financial performance
• Supports quality management strategy; identifies and mitigates risk
• Supports and contributes to Surface Water and Dam engineering utilization budgeting
• Prepares and assists with invoicing and collection of A/R for technical service area clients
• Provides input for proposal “Go/No Go” decisions; if pursued, contribute technical write-ups, scope, and fees
• Participates in contract negotiations and interviews when proposals are won
• Provides input on proposals, staffing, and budgeting.
• Compiles project teams and pursues vetted work obtained through regional client development relationships.
• Serves as Project Manager or subject matter expert on projects within the dam practice area; may serve as Project Manager on large multidisciplinary projects
• Partners cross-functionally with Practice Leads from other service areas to complete work
• Writes professional service agreements by request

Strategic Planning and Communication

• Aligns with leadership team on company goals and vision
• Participates in relevant strategic planning committees
• Establishes effective communications throughout the dam technical service area
• Participates in developing and administering dam marketing

Employee and Client Engagement

• Supports key client and partner relationships within dam service area per regional strategic plans
• Engages in industry initiatives within technical service area that are aligned with regional strategic plans
• Markets expertise through articles, awards, speaking opportunities, presentations, etc., at industry conferences, publications, and associations
• Participates in client maintenance plans as directed by regional staff
• Manages technical practice area employees through partnering with Surface Water Director on performance quality and management, attendance, hiring within the technical practice area, training and mentoring, technical professional development, and the completion of annual performance reviews

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related business field
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in at least one state
• Related professional certification(s) or qualifications
• Ability to travel as needed for company leadership meetings and project related work

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
• 8+ years of related work experience in the Dam industry
• Preferred experience in working on FERC regulated hydropower dams

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled #ZR Spicer Group is an equal opportunity, at-will employer, and shall consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to religion, race, color, national origin, gender, genetic information, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, disability, or any other legally-protected characteristic.