Description We are seeking a Director of Power System Planning for the Southwest Region, based in Phoenix. This senior leadership role is responsible for regional strategy, people leadership, and operational oversight of Power System Planning services across the Southwest. The Director will lead and grow a high-performing consulting organization while ensuring alignment with firm priorities, strong talent development, and consistent delivery excellence across the Power System Planning Advisory portfolio.
This role emphasizes regional leadership, staff development, and client impact, rather than hands-on project execution, and serves as a key partner to Power System Planning managing directors, business line leaders, and client engagement teams.
What You'll Do
As the Director of Power System Planning, you will provide strategic direction, managerial leadership, and operational oversight for Power System Planning services in the Southwest region, including Transmission Planning & Power System Analysis, Grid Modernization & Distribution Planning, and Utility Investment.
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and execute a regional Power System Planning strategy aligned with firmwide objectives and Power System Planning business line priorities.
- Support growth initiatives by aligning regional capabilities, staffing, and expertise with market demand and client needs.
- Partner with managing directors and business line leaders to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen Power System Planning's presence in the Southwest.
- Promote the mission, values, and culture of Burns & McDonnell and 1898 & Co., modeling strong leadership and collaboration.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to Power System Planning consultants and analysts across multiple disciplines.
- Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing consulting talent to support current and future regional needs.
- Conduct performance reviews, career development discussions, and regular one-on-one engagements with staff.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture consistent with 1898 & Co.'s traits of tenacious problem solving, curiosity, collaboration, and grit.
- Support onboarding, training, and professional development initiatives across the region.
- Drive continuous improvement in talent development, delivery consistency, and organizational effectiveness.
Resource & Operational Oversight
- Provide oversight of staffing strategies, workload balancing, and resource planning across Power System Planning engagements in the Southwest.
- Collaborate with delivery leaders to ensure teams are appropriately staffed based on skills, experience, and development goals.
- Monitor utilization and capacity trends, proactively identifying risks and opportunities related to staffing and growth.
- Support the establishment and use of consistent delivery practices, quality standards, and operational processes across E Power System Planning work.
Client & Business Development Support
- Serve as a senior Power System Planning leader supporting client relationships and regional engagement strategy.
- Partner with client engagement and proposal teams to support pursuits and positioning for new Power System Planning opportunities.
- Act as an escalation point for client delivery concerns as needed, focusing on resolution, communication, and long-term client success.
- Promote cross-collaboration with adjacent business lines to support integrated solutions and expanded client impact.
Technical Expertise
- Provide expert consulting and technical guidance across a range of services within the electric utility industry.
- Support engineering, economic, and consulting studies.
- Champion innovation and strategic thinking within technical project work.
Qualifications - Bachelor Degree in engineering, business or related degree from an accredited program and 13 years relevant consulting experience required.
- Master Degree MBA preferred.
- Excellent business acumen with proven success managing consulting engagements.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly and efficiently interpret large data sets.
- Ability to uncover customer needs, develop recommendations and deliver them persuasively.
- Expert facilitation, collaboration, organization, and problem solving skills.
- Strong understanding of financial concepts.
- Excellent planning and analytical skills.
- 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.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
Job Engineering
Primary Location US-AZ-Phoenix
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time
Req ID: 261985
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-EH #E98 N/A
