Transmission Department Manager (Vancouver)
Burns & McDonnell, Vancouver, WA, United States
Description
The Transmission and Distribution Department Manager will provide leadership and direction for the Pacific Northwest (as part of the Mountain Region) within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Global Practice. This pivotal role will lead a dynamic team of engineering professionals, ensure technical and project delivery excellence, and drive strategic initiatives that support profitable, sustainable growth. The position will balance execution excellence and innovation with a strong emphasis on culture, diversity, safety, and talent development.
Key Responsibilities
People Leadership, Culture & Development
Lead by example and foster a dynamic department focused on creating an atmosphere and environment for all.
Actively embody and foster a culture based on MacCulture principles, quality, diversity and inclusion, team cohesion, camaraderie, ownership, innovation, and teamwork.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of engineers and designers through effective recruitment, coaching, performance management, and regular check‑ins.
Provide leadership for the Pacific Northwest and coordination across multiple offices within the MTN footprint, ensuring consistency, collaboration, equitable support, and in‑person intra‑departmental coordination.
Serve as a mentor and coach to the team you directly manage, advocate for staff, and support individualized career development and growth plans.
Identify training needs, assist in the development of training, and support execution of training and mentorship programs that strengthen technical excellence and EPC delivery skills.
Organize, lead, and conduct the annual performance appraisal process, and work with Human Resources to prepare, communicate, and monitor performance improvement plans as needed.
Recruiting, Interviewing, Hiring, Onboarding & Retention
Proactively recruit top college graduates and experienced engineers and designers through coordinated efforts with Human Resources, staff referrals, universities, and industry networks.
Interview with intention, assess and hire prospective candidates while remaining diligent to uncover and combat unconscious bias throughout the interview process.
Oversee onboarding for interns, new graduates, experienced hires, transfers, and converted contract employees transitioning into the business line.
Support Human Resources on educational partnerships and internship programs, and establish measures that increase staff retention.
Project Execution & Technical Excellence
Serve as a senior technical advisor on transmission projects across the region and support QA/QC processes as needed to advance department staff and maintain delivery excellence.
Monitor project performance and take corrective actions to ensure targets for quality, schedule, and budget are met.
Support compliance with the T&D Quality Management System and advocate for safety within the transmission business line, driving a culture focused on safety and compliance with company and site safety policies.
Encourage an innovation culture that challenges the norm and utilizes tools, technology, and processes to drive continuous improvement, engineering outcomes, and project efficiency.
Collaborate with Burns & McDonnell India and cross‑regional leadership to optimize resource planning and technical direction.
Strategic Planning, Business Growth & Collaboration
Set policies, procedures, and strategic goals for the department and contribute to the development and execution of the transmission business plan, including SWOT analysis and vision setting.
Be proactive in thought leadership to enhance profitability and growth, and actively participate in conferences and related activities to promote the firm’s capabilities.
Partner with Marketing, Projects Director, Account Management, Project Managers, and other key leadership to pursue opportunities, support sales strategies, strengthen client relationships, and evaluate alignment with regional priorities.
Proactively share information with the local team, regional partners, national transmission business line leadership, and other department managers to share best practices and continue process improvements.
Collaborate on shared client work with other T&D departments and regional offices to reinforce One Burns & McDonnell.
Operational, Resource & Financial Oversight
Establish and proactively communicate the vision, expectations, requirements, processes, and guidelines needed to meet department, global practice, and company objectives.
Regularly review staff utilization to ensure employees have a clear development path, are supported appropriately, and are leveraged to their strengths and skill sets.
Lead coordination of work in the department, including making assignments and reviewing performance to ensure efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff.
Ensure profitable and sustainable growth of the transmission department through effective staffing, workload balance, chargeability oversight, overhead labor investment, and project performance monitoring.
Lead continuous improvement efforts in delivery efficiency, processes, organizational consistency, and implementation of project management systems and specialized market offerings, including EPC and program management solutions.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction, architecture, or a related field from an accredited program.
Minimum seven (7) years of related professional experience in consulting, engineering design, and/or project management within transmission & distribution or a related technical environment.
Proven leadership and supervisory experience in a technical or engineering environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and analytical and problem‑solving skills.
Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred.
Ability to influence, lead, and manage change thoughtfully and positively.
Ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to employees, management, and clients.
Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, poise, and discernment.
Proven planning, collaboration, and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated technical ability in engineering design and project delivery.
Preferred Qualifications
Ten (10) or more years of industry experience.
Demonstrated success in recruiting, developing, and retaining engineering talent.
Experience in business development, including proposal writing and client engagement.
Experience with project delivery and business tools such as EcoSys, Microsoft Project, Power BI, or similar platforms.
Prior experience working in a multi‑office, matrixed organizational structure.
Compensation
$170,000.00 – 340,000.00 Yearly. The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in a 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. 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.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
EEO/Disabled/Veterans.
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The Transmission and Distribution Department Manager will provide leadership and direction for the Pacific Northwest (as part of the Mountain Region) within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Global Practice. This pivotal role will lead a dynamic team of engineering professionals, ensure technical and project delivery excellence, and drive strategic initiatives that support profitable, sustainable growth. The position will balance execution excellence and innovation with a strong emphasis on culture, diversity, safety, and talent development.
Key Responsibilities
People Leadership, Culture & Development
Lead by example and foster a dynamic department focused on creating an atmosphere and environment for all.
Actively embody and foster a culture based on MacCulture principles, quality, diversity and inclusion, team cohesion, camaraderie, ownership, innovation, and teamwork.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of engineers and designers through effective recruitment, coaching, performance management, and regular check‑ins.
Provide leadership for the Pacific Northwest and coordination across multiple offices within the MTN footprint, ensuring consistency, collaboration, equitable support, and in‑person intra‑departmental coordination.
Serve as a mentor and coach to the team you directly manage, advocate for staff, and support individualized career development and growth plans.
Identify training needs, assist in the development of training, and support execution of training and mentorship programs that strengthen technical excellence and EPC delivery skills.
Organize, lead, and conduct the annual performance appraisal process, and work with Human Resources to prepare, communicate, and monitor performance improvement plans as needed.
Recruiting, Interviewing, Hiring, Onboarding & Retention
Proactively recruit top college graduates and experienced engineers and designers through coordinated efforts with Human Resources, staff referrals, universities, and industry networks.
Interview with intention, assess and hire prospective candidates while remaining diligent to uncover and combat unconscious bias throughout the interview process.
Oversee onboarding for interns, new graduates, experienced hires, transfers, and converted contract employees transitioning into the business line.
Support Human Resources on educational partnerships and internship programs, and establish measures that increase staff retention.
Project Execution & Technical Excellence
Serve as a senior technical advisor on transmission projects across the region and support QA/QC processes as needed to advance department staff and maintain delivery excellence.
Monitor project performance and take corrective actions to ensure targets for quality, schedule, and budget are met.
Support compliance with the T&D Quality Management System and advocate for safety within the transmission business line, driving a culture focused on safety and compliance with company and site safety policies.
Encourage an innovation culture that challenges the norm and utilizes tools, technology, and processes to drive continuous improvement, engineering outcomes, and project efficiency.
Collaborate with Burns & McDonnell India and cross‑regional leadership to optimize resource planning and technical direction.
Strategic Planning, Business Growth & Collaboration
Set policies, procedures, and strategic goals for the department and contribute to the development and execution of the transmission business plan, including SWOT analysis and vision setting.
Be proactive in thought leadership to enhance profitability and growth, and actively participate in conferences and related activities to promote the firm’s capabilities.
Partner with Marketing, Projects Director, Account Management, Project Managers, and other key leadership to pursue opportunities, support sales strategies, strengthen client relationships, and evaluate alignment with regional priorities.
Proactively share information with the local team, regional partners, national transmission business line leadership, and other department managers to share best practices and continue process improvements.
Collaborate on shared client work with other T&D departments and regional offices to reinforce One Burns & McDonnell.
Operational, Resource & Financial Oversight
Establish and proactively communicate the vision, expectations, requirements, processes, and guidelines needed to meet department, global practice, and company objectives.
Regularly review staff utilization to ensure employees have a clear development path, are supported appropriately, and are leveraged to their strengths and skill sets.
Lead coordination of work in the department, including making assignments and reviewing performance to ensure efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff.
Ensure profitable and sustainable growth of the transmission department through effective staffing, workload balance, chargeability oversight, overhead labor investment, and project performance monitoring.
Lead continuous improvement efforts in delivery efficiency, processes, organizational consistency, and implementation of project management systems and specialized market offerings, including EPC and program management solutions.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction, architecture, or a related field from an accredited program.
Minimum seven (7) years of related professional experience in consulting, engineering design, and/or project management within transmission & distribution or a related technical environment.
Proven leadership and supervisory experience in a technical or engineering environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and analytical and problem‑solving skills.
Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred.
Ability to influence, lead, and manage change thoughtfully and positively.
Ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to employees, management, and clients.
Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, poise, and discernment.
Proven planning, collaboration, and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated technical ability in engineering design and project delivery.
Preferred Qualifications
Ten (10) or more years of industry experience.
Demonstrated success in recruiting, developing, and retaining engineering talent.
Experience in business development, including proposal writing and client engagement.
Experience with project delivery and business tools such as EcoSys, Microsoft Project, Power BI, or similar platforms.
Prior experience working in a multi‑office, matrixed organizational structure.
Compensation
$170,000.00 – 340,000.00 Yearly. The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in a 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. 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.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
EEO/Disabled/Veterans.
#J-18808-Ljbffr