Transmission Department Manager (Phoenix)

Transmission Department Manager (Phoenix)

Phoenix, AZ

Job: Engineering

Primary Location: Phoenix, AZ

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID: 261619

Description

The Transmission Department Manager will provide leadership and direction for the Southwest Region (SWR) department 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 across multiple offices within the SWR 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).
• 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.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans