Design Technology Department Manager (Midwest Region)

Burns & McDonnell

Columbus (OH)

On-site

USD 135,000 - 240,000

Full time

3 days ago
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Benefits offered by this job

ESOP
401(k) retirement plan
Health benefits

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell is seeking a senior leader to direct the Design Technology Department for the Transmission & Distribution Global Practice in the Midwest. You will shape technology strategy, manage staff, and collaborate with leadership to deliver high-quality design performance.

The role focuses on leadership, culture, and career development while leveraging tools like MicroStation, AutoCAD, Revit and related software to improve workflows and profitability across locations.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction, business, or related field with substantial experience.
  • Professional licensure (PE) preferred but not mandatory.
  • Strong communication, leadership, and change-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and direct the Midwest Design Technology Department and set a clear roadmap.
  • Foster a culture of excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.
  • Develop competency-based development plans for staff and supervise performance reviews.
  • Collaborate with business lines and leadership to align staff with strategy.
  • Oversee recruiting, onboarding, and resource management.
  • Drive technology adoption and innovation using Bentley, AutoCAD, Revit, and related tools.
  • Mentor staff and present at industry events to identify trends and opportunities.
  • Ensure effective communication of vision and initiatives across locations.

Skills

Leadership
Strategic planning
Communication
Change management
Team building
Mentorship
Problem solving
Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/architecture/construction/business
Professional Engineering licensure preferred

Tools

Bentley MicroStation
OpenUtilities
AutoCAD
Inventor
Revit
ACADE

Job description

Description

This position is responsible for the managerial direction and leadership of the Design Technology Department within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Global Practice in the Midwest Region. Specific areas of responsibility include the following, with other duties as assigned by senior management:

Specific areas of responsibility include:

Leadership
  • Create a vision of the future for the Design Technology Department and the roadmap for success working in concert with Design Technology leadership across all of T&D.

  • Establish clear and concise expectations and accountability measures for staff within the Design Technology Department.

  • Establish and communicate a vision for technology and staff that supports profitability growth within the changing business landscape and work with each department and section manager to develop short-term and long-term goals in support of that vision.

  • Continuously advocate for the Design Technology Department staff to T&D and Burns & McDonnell leadership.

  • Prioritize the needs of the Design Technology Department team members and quickly follow up on any outstanding items.

  • Strive to offer the Design Technology Department team the maximum amount of transparency in your processes, procedures and decision making.

  • Make concerted efforts to be accessible and approachable to the Design Technology Department staff.

  • Interpret policies and establish procedures and strategic goals for the department in collaboration with T&D leadership.

Culture
  • Inspire, motivate, and support the Design Technology Department to promote a culture of excellence.

  • Develop and foster an innovation culture that challenges the norm and utilizes tools, technology, and processes to drive continuous improvement and efficiency.

  • Actively foster a culture that promotes team cohesion and camaraderie.

  • Drive a culture focused on safety and compliance with company and client safety policies.

Career Development and Performance Management
  • Inspire and lead the Midwest Design Technology Department to be the top performing Design Technology design team in the country by continually seeking new and innovative ways to improve.

  • Own the implementation of a competency-based development roadmap for entry-level Designers.

  • Meet with the Design Technology Department team on a regular basis. Listen to their short- and long-term goals, and provide guidance, direction, and facilitation of opportunities to meet those goals.

  • Annually organize, lead, and conduct the performance appraisal process for Design Technology Department staff.

  • Continuously educate Design Technology Department staff about the various career paths offered within T&D, and work with the team to develop the knowledge, skills, abilities, and opportunities to pursue their desired career path.

  • Identify training needs and develop training programs in collaboration with technical teams and business line leadership.

  • Work with Human Resources and staff to identify, prepare, communicate, and monitor performance plans for employees with areas of needed improvement.

Collaboration & Communication
  • Communicate the vision, mission, and values of the Design Technology Department to all members to enrich a sense of identity and community.

  • Coordinate and collaborate with business line and technical leadership to build cohesion and tie the needs of our people to the needs of our business.

  • Transparently communicate annual initiatives and how they will impact the future of the department.

  • Identify the most effective means to communicate with the Design Technology Department, and to each of the individual contributors within the department and proactively share information.

  • Communicate and coordinate regularly with Design Technology Department leadership in all locations across the T&D global practice regarding staffing, initiatives, and overall business line strategy.

Recruiting and Onboarding
  • Develop and maintain an annual personnel growth strategy that directly ties to the Design Technology Department the MWR T&D plan.

  • Proactively work with the HR Recruiting team to identify and recruit candidates that align with our MacCulture principles and the Design Technology Department’s growth strategy.

  • Purposefully interview, assess, and hire prospective candidates utilizing processes and procedures that increase overall equity in the hiring process including but not limited to ensuring: a diverse candidate pool, a diverse interview panel, interview questions that tie directly to the necessary qualifications of the position and a consistent candidate experience.

  • Lead, manage, and deploy the onboarding process for all new staff transitioning into the Design Technology Department. This includes but is not limited to interns, new graduates, experienced hires, transfers and converted contract employees.

Resource Management
  • Create, evolve, and build the organizational structure for the Design Technology Department to maximize engagement, proficiency, and satisfaction for personnel.

  • Manage and coordinate resource needs on project and account teams with business line and technical leadership.

  • Regularly review team utilization of staff to make sure employees have a clear path of development and support and are adequately leveraged and empowered to their strengths and skillsets.

  • Oversee and manage the chargeability of the Design Technology Department.

Technology & Innovation
  • Foster a culture of automation, innovation and inspire team members to think creatively.

  • Work closely with the Technology Operations Manager and Digital Delivery Manager to manage the implementation of T&D's Digital Delivery Roadmap

  • Maximize various software, such as Bentley MicroStation, OpenUtilities, Autodesk AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, and ACADE, to optimize workflows and enhance collaboration.

  • Act as a mentor to encourage the development of digital delivery ideas that align with our

  • Business Lanes and Design Technology business plans.

  • Collaborate with project teams, project engineers, project management, department managers, and leadership to identify and implement novel solutions that enhance efficiency and deliverable quality.

  • Demonstrate the ability to participate and present at industry events to identify emerging trends and technologies.

  • Take the lead in initiating and executing innovation initiatives that aim to enhance the quality, efficiency and profitability of design technologies usage within the organization.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction, business, or related degree for an accredited program and a minimum 7 years of related professional experience required, or an associate degree with 9 years of professional experience, or 11 years applicable experience may be substituted for degree requirement. Other qualifications include:

  • 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 influence, lead and manage change thoughtfully and positively.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • This position requires an individual capable of applying intensive and diversified knowledge of principles and practices to broad areas of assignments.

  • Must be capable of devising new approaches to problems encountered.

  • Professional Engineering licensure preferred.

  • Previous leadership and/or management experience preferred.

  • Previous consulting experience preferred.

Compensation

$135,000.00-240,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.
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-MO-Saint Louis

Other Locations

US-OH-Akron, US-OH-Columbus

Schedule:

Full-time

Travel:

Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID:

264797

Job Hire Type

Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D

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