Department Manager - Workforce Development (Pearland, TX)

Burns & McDonnell; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Houston, TX seeks a Department Manager – Workforce Development to lead training programs that build a scalable construction workforce. You will design apprenticeships, oversee curricula, and align programs with safety, compliance, and client goals.

This role emphasizes partnerships with educational institutions, trade boards, and community organizations, plus data-driven evaluation using LMS and KPIs to improve outcomes and secure funding.

Qualifications

• You must hold a bachelor degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or a related field and have 7 years of relevant experience.
• At least 10 years of leadership and/or management experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for all levels of employees, management, and clients.
• Ability to influence, lead, and manage change thoughtfully.
• Strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
• Expertise in using computer software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) to support training and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Program Design & Implementation: Develops training programs, apprenticeships, and certifications.
• Standardization & Consistency: Implement standardized training processes across facilities.
• Partnership & Outreach: Build relationships with trade schools, boards, and firms for talent pipelines.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Use KPIs to assess program success and identify skill gaps.
• Funding & Budget Management: Seek grants, manage budgets, and allocate resources.
• Strategic Planning: Align programs with industry trends and workforce needs.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure programs comply with regulations and safety standards.
• Team Leadership: Manage staff and oversee daily operations of the workforce development team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Change management

Data analytics

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or a related degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

LMS experience

Job description

Description

The Department Manager – Workforce Development, oversees the planning, development, and execution of training programs supporting the construction workforce. Expert in designing and executing scalable talent pipelines to address labor shortages, with a focus on upskilling, apprenticeship expansion, and cross-functional leadership. This role includes instructional design, training delivery, learning systems, compliance tracking, and multimedia content. Proven track record in cultivating strategic partnerships with educational institutions, trade boards, and community organizations to build a resilient, safety-first workforce. Adept at leveraging data analytics to include Learning Management Systems (LMS) to optimize training outcomes while ensuring strict compliance with company, client, and industry standards. Aligns training initiatives with business strategy, regulatory compliance, and workforce development through close partnership with construction leadership and key stakeholders.

• Program Design & Implementation: Develops and delivers training programs, including apprenticeships and certifications, to support onboarding and workforce upskilling.

• Standardization & Consistency: Implements standardized training processes, systems, and materials across multiple facilities and project locations to ensure consistent delivery of construction skills.

• Partnership & Outreach: Builds relationships with trade schools, high schools, community orgs, and construction firms to create talent pipelines.

• Data Analysis & Reporting: Uses KPIs and data to assess program success, identify skill gaps, and report outcomes to stakeholders.

• Funding & Budget Management: Seeks grants, manages budgets, and secures resources to expand programs and initiatives.

• Strategic Planning: Analyzes construction industry trends, identifies future labor needs, and aligns development programs to meet them.

• Compliance & Safety: Ensures all programs adhere to safety regulations, building codes, and legal requirements, instilling a strong safety culture.

• Team Leadership: Manages staff, sets priorities, and oversees daily operations for the workforce development team.

• Labor Forecasting: Analyzes labor market trends and workforce data to predict future staffing needs, particularly for high-demand roles.

• Curriculum Design: Coordinates and update craft-specific training programs to ensure alignment with industry standards.

• Apprenticeship Oversight: Manages formal apprenticeship programs, ensuring they meet federal and state certification standards.

• Technology Integration: Implements training for emerging technologies, including AI-based validation to maintain a competitive workforce.

• Training Governance & Compliance: Manages the validation process to ensure all training content is in line with Burns and McDonnells policy and procedures.

• Cross-Functional Training Coordination: Coordinates and governs multi-department training initiatives, ensuring competency alignment, progress visibility, and timely delivery.

• Career Pathways: Defines clear advancement opportunities and provide mentorship or coaching programs to help employees move into leadership roles like superintendents or project managers.

• Performance Monitoring: Uses data analytics and KPIs to track the effectiveness of training programs and identify skill gaps within the current team.

• Virtual Reality (VR) Training Implementation: Oversees the transition from classroom-based safety training to VR-simulated environments.

• Proficiency Tiering: Competencies are mapped on a multi-tier scale—such as foundational digital literacy, tool-specific specialization, and advanced leadership—to identify who is ready for promotion or reskilling.

• Predictive Gap Analysis: By mapping existing skills and competencies to track and support promotions through knowledge transfer resulting from well executed training programs.

• Validation: Engaging internal and external, both consultants, field supervisors, and subject matter experts to ensure defined competencies accurately reflected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or a related degree from an accredited program and 7 years related professional experience in design and/or project management required.

• At least 10 years of previous leadership and/or management experience.

• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.

• Position requires the ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change.

• Must possess strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.

• Must be an expert in the use of computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Construction Services

Primary Location US-TX-Houston

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID: 263344

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-DS #CDB N/A