Discipline Ops Mgr I

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership (ESOP)

401(k) retirement plan

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible schedules

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc is seeking a Discipline Operations Manager I to lead a discipline subgroup, align staffing and schedules, and drive performance to deliver Total Project Success for clients.

You will partner with other Discipline Operations Managers and the Discipline Operations Director to allocate hours and staff across projects, mentoring team members and ensuring QA/QC execution. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Registered technical professional with 10+ years in a technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years in a consulting engineering firm.
• Proficient within the discipline of expertise.
• Active and up to date in NCEES record, if applicable.
• Experience managing small to mid-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead a discipline subgroup; align staffing, schedules, and performance.
• Collaborate with Discipline Operations Managers to allocate weekly hours.
• Mentor subgroup members and foster growth, accountability, and collaboration.
• Manage performance, provide feedback, and address gaps proactively.
• Staffing coordination with Project Managers; support recruiting and onboarding.
• Ensure design services meet standards and oversee QA/QC.
• Resolve complex design issues and provide expert guidance to teams/clients.
• Implement process improvements with the Technical Discipline Leader.
• Drive KPI reporting on utilization, timesheets, and engagement.
• Maintain office presence and periodic visits to locations.
• Engage with clients, contractors, and manufacturers; perform engineer/PM duties as needed.

Skills

Technical expertise

Project management

Consulting engineering experience

NCEES council record

Staffing and performance oversight

Tools

Microsoft Office

Revit

Discipline software

Job description

What You'll Do

• As a Discipline Operations Manager I, you'll lead a discipline subgroup-building people and processes, aligning staffing and schedules, raising technical quality, and driving performance so our teams deliver Total Project Success for clients.
• Partner with other Discipline Operations Managers and the Discipline Operations Director to allocate weekly hours and staff across projects.
• Guide, direct, and mentor subgroup members; cultivate a culture of growth, accountability, and collaboration.
• Manage performance-set expectations, provide feedback, conduct evaluations, and address performance gaps proactively.
• Collaborate with Project Managers to ensure adequate staffing and skill mix; support recruiting, onboarding, and annual performance cycles.
• Ensure design services meet professional standards, client requirements, and corporate objectives; oversee subgroup QA/QC execution.
• Evaluate and resolve atypical or complex design issues; provide expert guidance to teams and clients.
• Coordinate with the Technical Discipline Leader to implement process improvements and discipline standards; publish procedures.
• Foster engagement within the subgroup and program; ensure effective interdiscipline coordination and communication.
• Address and resolve conflicts within the team or across departments; improve processes to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and execute employee development plans; facilitate mentorship pairings and internal training.
• Establish and maintain relationships with clients, contractors, and manufacturers; perform engineer/PM responsibilities as needed.
• Review and approve timesheets and expense reports; support annual budgeting and provide datadriven input to leadership.
• Partner with HR and the Discipline Operations Director on recruitment strategies, performance management, policy implementation, and compensation assessments to ensure equitable pay practices.
• Manage and drive subgroup KPIs (utilization, chargeable goals, timesheets, overtime, turnover, engagement); report progress and actions.
• Maintain inoffice presence and meaningful connections across locations, including periodic visits to offices with direct reports.

Who We're Looking For

Minimum Requirements:

• A registered technical professional or technical professional with at least 10 years of practical experience in one of the technical disciplines practiced by the firm
• 5 years of experience in a consulting engineering firm
• Proficient within the discipline of expertise
• Active and up to date in NCEES council record, if applicable
• Experience managing projects of small to mid-scale scope and complexity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and web browsers; general knowledge of Revit and discipline software.
• Knowledge of contracts, project management, resource allocation, and financial/KPI fundamentals for a technical unit.
• Clear written communication, technical writing, effective presentations, and strong speech clarity.
• Team building, mentoring, delegation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills across disciplines and offices.
• Judgment, organization, and attention to detail to orchestrate multiple activities and drive continuous improvement.

What We Offer

• 100% Employee-Owned - Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
• Retirement Savings - 401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
• Health & Wellness - Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus companyfunded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
• Company-Paid Protection - Life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
• Work-Life Balance - Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
• Career Growth - Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.

SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

EEO Disabled/Veterans

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities