Practice Leader – Building Structures

KCI

New York (NY)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative working environment

Family-friendly benefits

Job summary

KCI, headquartered in New York City, seeks a Practice Leader for its Building Structures team. This pivotal role involves day-to-day leadership, financial management, and mentoring across various projects involving structural engineering. The successful candidate will have deep familiarity with the NYC regulatory environment, including essential agencies and codes.

The ideal applicant should have at least 15 years of experience and a Professional Engineer license in New York State. The position offers competitive compensation and a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

Minimum 15 years of progressive structural engineering experience.
Proven experience in leading NYC DOB filings and Special Inspections.
Professional Engineer (PE) license in New York State required.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and guidance to Project Managers and technical staff.
Lead negotiations of contract terms with clients and subconsultants.
Drive business development initiatives by maximizing opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Business development

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

Project management software

Job description

Company Overview

KCI Technologies, Inc. is a 100% employee‑owned engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. KCI is recognized as an industry leader, employing cutting‑edge technologies, management practices and strategic growth initiatives. Employee ownership fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, encourages technical expertise, and shapes strategic planning.

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package, family‑friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring and resources you need to advance in your career.

Equal Opportunity Employment

KCI Technologies, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. KCI is committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Duties, Responsibilities & Other

The Practice Leader is a highly organized and experienced individual who assumes a pivotal role in day‑to‑day leadership, financial management, marketing, coordination, collaboration, team building, mentoring and staff development within the Building Structures team. This NYC‑based role focuses on serving private and public clients across the five boroughs, with structural engineering work spanning new construction, adaptive reuse, façade and structural rehabilitation, and major capital projects for City and State agencies. The successful candidate will bring deep familiarity with the New York City regulatory environment—including NYC DOB (Buildings), NYC DDC (Design and Construction), NYC SCA (School Construction Authority), NYCHA, MTA, Port Authority, NYC EDC, and Landmarks Preservation Commission—and a strong network within the local AEC community.

Leadership and Management

Provide leadership and guidance to Project Managers (PMs), Senior Project Managers (Sr. PMs), and technical staff within the NYC Building Structures practice.
Support the professional growth and development of Sr. PMs, PMs, and engineering staff. Provide technical project and staff oversight on structural design across steel, concrete, masonry, and timber systems common to NYC building stock.
Assume responsibility for the business within the practice, focusing on achieving budgeted margins, project health, and effective cash management across the collective NYC project portfolio.
Collaborate closely with other Practice Leaders—including civil/site, geotechnical, entertainment, construction engineering, and transportation—to share best practices and optimize collective success on multidisciplinary NYC projects.
Hire and manage the work routine of all assigned staff and assign job activities as required.
Track and coordinate Practice performance results.
Provide project and client leads to other practice leaders to grow their practices, where appropriate and beneficial to the greater well‑being of the company.
Serve as Project Manager or Engineer of Record on select high‑visibility NYC projects, as required.
Ensure a high level of quality on all projects within the Practice, including compliance with the NYC Building Code, NYC Construction Codes, and applicable Local Laws (including LL11/FISP, LL97, LL126, LL196, etc.).

Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development

Lead recruiting and retention efforts to attract and retain top structural engineering talent within the competitive NYC market.
Develop and deliver timely annual employee performance appraisals for assigned staff.
Mentor staff, leading their training and development—including support for PE licensure in New York State and pathways toward Special Inspector and SI Agency qualifications where applicable.

Financial Management

Lead negotiations of contract terms, scopes, and fees with clients and subconsultants, including familiarity with NYC public agency procurement processes (PASSPort, MOCS, prevailing wage requirements, MWBE participation, and standard City contract terms).
Lead project schedule development from inception to completion for projects within the Practice.
Develop monthly progress reports and invoices for projects, including agency‑specific invoicing formats.
Lead team in preparation of weekly staff utilization plans.
Operate within specified corporate or project budget parameters. Provide input on unbilled work authorizations and forward to the Regional Practice Leader and Service Line Leader.
Provide monthly cash management (WIP/AR) comments to Finance and the Project Management Office.
Provide weekly new project budget data to project analysts.

Business Development and Marketing

Drive business development initiatives by maximizing opportunities with existing and new NYC‑area clients—including private developers, REITs, institutional owners (universities, hospitals, cultural institutions), and public agencies—gathering valuable insights for business planning purposes and cross‑selling other KCI services where applicable.
Lead project opportunity evaluation, consultant selection, and the preparation of qualification/experience statements within the Practice, including responses to NYC and NYS RFPs and RFQs.
Lead identification of new business opportunities, coordinating and participating in project presentations to clients and other external groups, developing and organizing proposal teams, and promoting KCI’s capabilities among existing and prospective clients within the Practice.
Maintain visibility within the NYC AEC community through participation in organizations such as SEAoNY, ACEC New York, NYBC, AIA New York, and ULI New York.

Client Relationship Management

Develop and maintain customer relationships by soliciting monthly performance feedback, identifying client needs, and identifying the next project.
Provide input for the annual business development plan to achieve sales targets to the Regional Practice Leader.
Provide and review annual market research in preparation for annual business plan development, including tracking of NYC capital plans, OneNYC initiatives, and agency‑specific pipelines.
Provide market trends to the Regional Practice Leader and Service Line Leader for strategic planning purposes.

Compliance and Reporting

Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.
Ensure the Practice fulfills Quality Management System compliance requirements, including documentation standards required by NYC DOB filings and Special Inspections.
Participate and contribute to annual leadership meetings.
Participate in and contribute to applicable regional office forums.
Represent KCI in technical, industry, and community organizations across the NYC metropolitan area.

Safety and Project Management

Develop project‑specific safety plans as needed. Ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and local safety rules and regulations, including NYC DOB Site Safety requirements and OSHA standards.
Deliver all projects on time, within budget, and at a high level of quality while fully meeting the scope.
Monitor effective use of equipment and personnel.

Specialized Experience Preferred

Minimum 15 years of progressive structural engineering experience, with substantial NYC project experience.
Demonstrated experience leading NYC DOB filings, Special Inspections, and projects under LL11/FISP and LL97.
Established relationships with NYC public agencies and/or major private developers preferred.
Proven track record of business development, team leadership, and P&L responsibility in the NYC market.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering and minimum of 7 years of related professional experience, or 11 years of equivalent professional experience.
Progressive professional and increasing project management and organizational management experience.
Proven experience in project management roles within the technical practice.
Demonstrated leadership capability to build and lead teams of technical practitioners and/or project managers.
Strong interpersonal as well as verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage budgets, project margins, and cash flow.
Experience in business development, with a focus on maximizing client relationships and identifying growth opportunities.
Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within the Practice.
Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to make decisions.
Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
Proficiency in relevant software and tools use in the practice area.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to the service line.