Burns & McDonnell

Department Manager - Workforce Development (Pearland, TX)

Burns & McDonnell$90K — $120K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or similar with 7 years of relevant professional experience.
  • Minimum of 10 years in leadership or management roles.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills for diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to influence and lead change positively.
  • Expertise in project management and a strategic approach.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and deliver training programs for onboarding and skill enhancement.
  • Implement standardized training across facilities to ensure consistent skill delivery.
  • Build partnerships to create robust talent pipelines.
  • Analyze KPIs to evaluate program success and identify skill gaps.
  • Manage budgets and seek funding sources for program expansion.
  • Align training with future labor needs based on industry analysis.
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations and building codes.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on innovative training initiatives.
  • Engagement with diverse community and industry stakeholders.
  • Focus on career advancement through structured mentorship.
  • Integration of cutting-edge technology such as VR in training.
  • Involvement in creating a safety-first workforce culture.
Full Job Description
Description The Department Manager - Workforce Development, oversees the planning, development, and execution of training programs supporting the construction workforce. Expert in designing and executing scalable talent pipelines to address labor shortages, with a focus on upskilling, apprenticeship expansion, and cross-functional leadership. This role includes instructional design, training delivery, learning systems, compliance tracking, and multimedia content. Proven track record in cultivating strategic partnerships with educational institutions, trade boards, and community organizations to build a resilient, safety-first workforce. Adept at leveraging data analytics to include Learning Management Systems (LMS) to optimize training outcomes while ensuring strict compliance with company, client, and industry standards. Aligns training initiatives with business strategy, regulatory compliance, and workforce development through close partnership with construction leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Program Design & Implementation: Develops and delivers training programs, including apprenticeships and certifications, to support onboarding and workforce upskilling.
  • Standardization & Consistency: Implements standardized training processes, systems, and materials across multiple facilities and project locations to ensure consistent delivery of construction skills.
  • Partnership & Outreach: Builds relationships with trade schools, high schools, community orgs, and construction firms to create talent pipelines.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Uses KPIs and data to assess program success, identify skill gaps, and report outcomes to stakeholders.
  • Funding & Budget Management: Seeks grants, manages budgets, and secures resources to expand programs and initiatives.
  • Strategic Planning: Analyzes construction industry trends, identifies future labor needs, and aligns development programs to meet them.
  • Compliance & Safety: Ensures all programs adhere to safety regulations, building codes, and legal requirements, instilling a strong safety culture.
  • Team Leadership: Manages staff, sets priorities, and oversees daily operations for the workforce development team.
  • Labor Forecasting: Analyzes labor market trends and workforce data to predict future staffing needs, particularly for high-demand roles.
  • Curriculum Design: Coordinates and update craft-specific training programs to ensure alignment with industry standards.
  • Apprenticeship Oversight: Manages formal apprenticeship programs, ensuring they meet federal and state certification standards.
  • Technology Integration: Implements training for emerging technologies, including AI-based validation to maintain a competitive workforce.
  • Training Governance & Compliance: Manages the validation process to ensure all training content is in line with Burns and McDonnells policy and procedures.
  • Cross-Functional Training Coordination: Coordinates and governs multi-department training initiatives, ensuring competency alignment, progress visibility, and timely delivery.
  • Career Pathways: Defines clear advancement opportunities and provide mentorship or coaching programs to help employees move into leadership roles like superintendents or project managers.
  • Performance Monitoring: Uses data analytics and KPIs to track the effectiveness of training programs and identify skill gaps within the current team.
  • Virtual Reality (VR) Training Implementation: Oversees the transition from classroom-based safety training to VR-simulated environments.
  • Proficiency Tiering: Competencies are mapped on a multi-tier scale-such as foundational digital literacy, tool-specific specialization, and advanced leadership-to identify who is ready for promotion or reskilling.
  • Predictive Gap Analysis: By mapping existing skills and competencies to track and support promotions through knowledge transfer resulting from well executed training programs.
  • Validation: Engaging internal and external, both consultants, field supervisors, and subject matter experts to ensure defined competencies accurately reflected.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or a related degree from an accredited program and 7 years related professional experience in design and/or project management required.
  • At least 10 years of previous leadership and/or management experience.
  • Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
  • Position requires the ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change.
  • Must possess strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
  • Must be an expert in the use of computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

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

Job Construction Services

Primary Location US-TX-Houston

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID: 263344

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-DS #CDB N/A

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a full-service engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm. The company was founded in 1898 by Clinton Burns and Robert McDonnell and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Burns & McDonnell provides services to a wide range of industries, including aviation, defense, energy, environmental, healthcare, and transportation. The company has over 7,500 employees and operates in more than 50 countries around the world. Burns & McDonnell has been recognized as one of the best places to work in the United States by Fortune magazine.
Learn more about Burns & McDonnell
Size
7,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1898

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