Infrastructure Engineering Inc (IEI) is looking for our next rock star to help grow our Indianapolis office and elevate our transportation design practice across the Indiana market.
The Design Director (Indianapolis) will lead our local transportation design team, manage key projects, and partner closely with firm leadership to deepen client relationships and strategically expand our presence in the Indiana market. This role blends high-level technical leadership, project delivery oversight, and collaborative business development, working in coordination with our Indiana Operations Manager and national Business Development team.
About the Role
The Design Director is responsible for the leadership, organization, morale, technical excellence, and operational performance of the Transportation Design Team in Indianapolis. This position serves both as a technical leader and a client-facing project manager, ensuring delivery of high-quality engineering services while fostering strong, enduring client relationships.
Working in partnership with the Indiana Operations Manager, firm leadership, and national BD Team, the Design Director will help shape market strategy, pursue key opportunities, and grow IEI's footprint with INDOT, municipalities, and other public agencies. Success in this role requires a leader who can inspire a high-performing technical team, manage complex transportation projects, and build IEI's reputation in the Indiana market.
Essential Duties/Functions and Responsibilities:
Technical & Project Leadership
* Lead, mentor, and support the Design Team to ensure technically accurate, high-quality deliverables (plans, specifications, permits, reports, etc.).
* Promote and implement technologies and tools that drive efficient, innovative project delivery.
* Serve as a senior technical resource on transportation infrastructure projects.
* Ensure project teams prepare and follow Project Management Plans (PMPs) and adhere to QA/QC processes.
* Oversee development and approval of scopes, fees, and schedules for major pursuits and contracts.
* Monitor project performance, budget, and schedule, and communicate issues promptly to clients and internal leadership.
* Support contract reviews to manage risk and reinforce responsible commercial practices.
Client Engagement & Market Growth
* Engage directly with clients to understand their priorities, capital programs, and long-term needs.
* Build deep, multi-level relationships between IEI staff and client organizations.
* Coordinate with the Indiana Operations Manager and national BD team to identify, pursue, and secure new work across the state.
* Lead or support proposal development, client interviews, and project-specific marketing efforts.
* Maintain frequent contact with existing clients to evaluate performance and identify new opportunities.
* Participate actively in industry and community events to elevate IEI's visibility and brand.
Project Delivery
* Ensures project delivery team prepares IEI's Project Management Plan (PMP) at start of project and follows and updates them for duration of the project.
* Ensures projects receive a Minimum Formal Evaluation or Feedback of "Satisfactory" or Equivalent from Clients. Actively deploys practices and procedure to earn "Above Average" evaluation.
* Ensures project delivery team complies with IEI's QA/QC and/or client mandated QA/QC policies and procedures.
Financial
* Monitors financial profitability of the Group and takes corrective actions when profitability falls below the target. General overall profit target is 10%.
* Assists firm leadership in shaping and deploying strategies which helps sustain profitability and financial strength of the firm.
* Regularly monitors project progress and budget and ensures project delivery team completes projects within the allocated budget and schedule.
* Ensures all members of project delivery team are aware of and actively monitoring budgets on recurring basis commensurate with job classification.
* Ensures all assigned members of project delivery team are complying with Invoicing protocols and schedules and working actively in pursuing collections and AR's.
Marketing and Business Development
* Develops and fosters relationships with key clients and agencies which results in winning work.
* Develop and deploy business development strategies which results in Group's growth in alignment with firm's growth strategies.
* Meets regularly with existing clients to discuss current projects, evaluate performance and identify other business opportunities.
* Oversees and contributes in preparation of technical proposals and other marketing efforts in a timely manner.
* Proactively participates in industry and community functions and activities that promote IEI's visibility and brand.
Talent Management and Development
* Develop office and firm's strategic capabilities and capacity by attracting and recruiting staff.
* Works in collaboration with staff in identifying and actively promoting professional development of staff to meet personal and firms' professional development goals.
Education and/or Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university, or approved equivalent.
* Professional Engineer (PE) license required; ability to obtain Indiana PE within six months if currently licensed elsewhere.
* Ideal candidate will have 15+ years' experience in civil engineering; including 8-10yrs experience as a Project Manager with heavy experience in transportation and design
* Demonstrated record of winning and delivering transportation projects in Indiana, with strong familiarity with INDOT and municipal clients.
*Substantial business development experience within the engineering consulting industry, including proven client development and relationship-building skills.
* Proven ability to lead technical teams, oversee project delivery, and manage complex transportation infrastructure projects.
* Strong business acumen, negotiation skills, and excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
* Experience working with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
* Familiarity with ERP or CRM platforms (e.g., Deltek, Paycor, VantagePoint) and comfort with CAD software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, and/or Civil 3D.
* Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing staff, fostering collaboration, and supporting a positive team culture.
Certificates, Licenses and/or Registrations
Active Registered Professional Engineer required. Additional registrations and accreditations (i.e. LEED AP, Certified Floodplain Manager, PTOE etc.) are desired. Other licensures or registration (must require Continuing Education to remain active) may be considered in lieu Professional Engineer or Structural Engineer licensure
Soft Skills
* Possesses good verbal and written communication skills.
* Demonstrates positive work attitude and behaviors.
* Promotes and participates in team building initiatives for the Group and firm.
* Possesses critical thinking skills with ability to plan, organize, delegate and prioritize work and make decisions and solve problems.
* Possesses ability to motivate and lead staff to achieve Groups' and firms Mission, Vision and Core Values.
Benefits and Perks:
* Benefits and Perks
* Highly competitive salary; and Bonus opportunities
* Flexible Work Schedule
* Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
* Personal Paid Leave (Paid Time-Off)
* 6-Week Parental Leave
* Paid Holidays
* Life Insurance
* Short and Long-term Disability Program
* 401K Program with Employer Match
* Profit Sharing
* Employee Assistance Program
* Employee Referral Program
* Employee Appreciation Program
* IEI University
* An opportunity to learn and grow - Professional Development Program
* Opportunity to share ideas and express your point of view
* You are welcome to be your authentic self
* Philanthropic Outreach and Volunteer Opportunities
Physical Demands
An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Working Conditions
* IEI will provide a company vehicle for fieldwork with acceptable driver's record.
* Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions or in-progress construction hazards: fumes, toxic chemicals, risk of electric shock, and vibration. Often works around dust, asphalt, and concrete.
* Sometimes need to put in extra hours, including weekends, to keep up with intense construction work at times and deal with unexpected situations and accidents.
* Spends some time working indoors to review blueprints and write reports.
* Usually works a standard 40-hour workweek either daytime or nighttime.
* Usually works in outside weather conditions.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work outdoors in various weather conditions, possibly for an extended period of time, depending on the assignment type. The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate. The noise level on the construction site is often loud and may require the use of hearing protection.
Pay Range: $120,000 - $180,000 per year
