Description The Department Manager is responsible for the managerial direction and leadership of the Networks, Integration & Automation (NIA) Department within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Global Practice in Kansas City. This role supports and executes business strategy, develops high-performing teams, and promotes the Burns & McDonnell culture, values, and mission.
The NIA Department Manager leads the department in a dynamic and profitable manner, grounded in Burns & McDonnell's core values of client satisfaction, commitment, dedication, integrity, safety, and outstanding service. This leader translates business direction into clear priorities, staffing plans, and execution expectations, building a workforce that is change-ready, value-focused, and curiosity-driven.
Department Leadership & Business Direction - Provide leadership to the team; direct and coordinate work assignments and review performance to ensure efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff.
- Support and execute NIA and T&D business strategy by translating direction into department priorities, operating rhythms, and measurable expectations.
- Drive profitable growth by ensuring staff levels, staff loading, and staff assignments meet project requirements while maintaining billable/chargeability goals.
- Implement, apply, and support company and global practice programs and initiatives; successfully navigate and manage change within the department.
Financial Acumen & Operational Performance - Achieve stated targets and standards for financial performance.
- Manage departmental budget and fund expenditures.
- Prepare and present workload and periodic operational reports to global practice, business line, and/or regional leadership and applicable project managers (e.g., utilization, staffing outlook, hiring plan, key risks).
- Use resource forecasting and workload planning to anticipate constraints early and reduce reactive staffing and delivery risk.
Talent, Performance, and Culture - Recruit, develop, train, and retain staff.
- Conduct performance evaluations and address performance issues in partnership with HR.
- Establish clear expectations and accountability; provide leadership, guidance, and instruction to the department.
- Interpret policies, purposes, and goals of the organization to staff.
- Foster a positive, connected, high-performance culture aligned to Burns & McDonnell values; build transparency and consistency in people decisions.
- Identify capability gaps and partner with leadership to advance training and development that supports delivery needs.
Client Service, Growth, and Technical Excellence - Provide expert-level technical/design guidance and support appropriate to discipline and role.
- Collaborate with business development managers, business line leads, project managers, and proposal teams to secure work aligned with staff capacity and capability.
- Ensure adherence to QA/QC processes and continuous improvement of delivery quality.
Safety, Compliance, and Employment Practices - Ensure compliance with company and site safety policies.
- Maintain compliance with equal employment opportunity initiatives and fair, consistent employment practices.
Qualifications Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction or related degree from an accredited program and 7 years of related professional experience in design and/or project management by July 1, 2026 required.
- Professional engineering registration is preferred.
- Proven leadership in developing and implementing a vision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and analytical / problem-solving skills.
- Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, poise, and discernment.
- Proven planning, organizing, and execution skills.
- Strong preference for the following:
- Burns & McDonnell recruiting experience.
- Experience in giving and receiving performance feedback for those they work with.
- Familiarity with tools/technology such as Pivot Tables, Data Models, Office 365 apps, and other efficiency/data tracking tools.
- Ability to influence, lead, and manage change thoughtfully and positively.
- History of high performance as demonstrated and documented in the Burns & McDonnell performance management system.
- Position to be located in Kansas City.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Engineering
Primary Location US-MO-Kansas City
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Req ID: 261138
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-MG #T&D
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