Project Development Section Manager

HDR; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Section Leader in Detroit to guide the power systems project development section, lead multidisciplinary teams, manage client relationships, and drive marketing and proposal efforts.

You will ensure quality checks, schedule modeling, and cost estimation while coordinating with HDR's leadership. A Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of experience are required; some travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Leadership and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with Seller-Doer approach.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for operations of the project development section including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support.
• Develop and maintain client relationships and participate in marketing and proposal development.
• Provide oversight and quality checks of analysis and deliverables including asset performance, schedule modeling, memos, bid evaluations, feasibility studies and cost estimates.
• Function as Project Manager and lead production on projects.
• Lead section staff and coordinate services with other sections.
• Involve in marketing planning, proposals and interviews."
• Collaborate with HDR's local, regional, and national leadership across market sectors.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Entrepreneurial thinker

Multi-tasking

Travel willingness

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Thermoflow (Thermoflex, GT Pro, Steam Pro)

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: 'https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

In the role of Section Leader, we'll count on you to:

• Take responsibility for operations of project development section including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support
• Develop and maintain client relationships and be involved in marketing and proposal development efforts
• Provide oversight, guidance, and quality checks of analysis and deliverables, including asset performance, schedule modeling efforts, technical memos, bid evaluations, feasibility studies, reports and cost estimates
• Function as Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to management responsibilities
• Take administrative responsibility for section staff and technical service functions, and lead and coordinate services with other sections
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews
• Be directly involved with industrial, utility, municipal, and public clients in marketing, project production and related issues
• See that all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management system
• Implement, monitor and support company policy
• Select, train, develop and manage technical personnel
• Manage and develop multidiscipline teams
• Work cooperatively with HDR's local, regional, and national leadership across different market sectors and business groups and marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Thermoflow suite of software (Thermoflex, GT Pro, Steam Pro) or similar power plant modeling and wind and/or solar modeling software is a plus.
• Experience with a variety of power generation technologies including combustion turbines, combined cycle, engine generators, combined heat and power, repowering, solar, wind, geothermal, energy storage, and steam power cycles is preferred.
• Leadership, listening, mentoring, personnel management, and organizational skills
• Have excellent communication, presentation, and report writing skills.
• Candidate must be an entrepreneurial thinker with a willingness to evolve/operate in a “Seller-Doer” environment.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel 10% - 15% of time.
• Willingness and ability to work from the HDR Ann Arbor office on a regular basis desired.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-Michigan-Ann Arbor

Other Locations: United States-Michigan-Lansing, United States-Michigan-Grand Rapids, United States-Michigan-Detroit

Industry: Power

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Power Generation

Job Posting: Sep 16, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Aff… (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.