Join us as we Rise to the Challenge

The Practice Leader is a highly organized and experienced individual who assumes a pivotal role in day-to-day leadership, financial management, marketing, coordination, collaboration, team building, mentoring and staff development within the technical practice. 

• 10+ years of experience in outdoor lighting design and asset or electrical distribution design industry preferred.
• Experience leading a team of project managers and designers to deliver various types of overhead and underground outdoor lighting projects utilizing utility design standards.
• Project Management experience required, with experience in managing and growing a design team.
• Experience in developing and managing project managers.
• Experience managing client expectations and developing business.
• Proposal preparation including scope, schedule and fee. Contract management and billing.
• Strong design knowledge in outdoor lighting and electrical distribution required. 
• Prepare written technical proposals, assemble teams to meet client criteria, and develop professional relationships.
• This position requires a demonstrated leader with a broad knowledge of outdoor lighting and the processes required to develop design packages utilizing utility design standards.
• Will be required to train and develop staff.
• Successful candidate should have local client contacts and the ability to bring in business.

Leadership and Management:

• Supporting Duke Energy in distribution design delivery, invoicing, designer development and customer satisfaction.
• Utilization of Dynamics for project health, invoicing, subcontractor payments, etc.
• Provide leadership and guidance to Project Managers (PMs) and Senior Project Managers (Sr. PMs), and staff within the practice.
• Support the professional growth and development of Sr. PMs, PMs, and staff. Provide technical project and staff oversight.
• Assume responsibility for the business within the practice, focusing on achieving budgeted margins, project health, and effective cash management across collective projects.
• Collaborate closely with other Practice Leaders to share best practices and optimize collective success.
• Hire and manage work routine of all assigned staff and assign job activities as required.
• Track and coordinate practice performance results.
• Provide project and client leads to other practice leaders to grow their practices.
• Serve as project manager on select projects.
• Assume responsibility that all projects within practice follow the quality control procedures outlined in the approved Quality Control Manual for the specific Practice.
• Works within the specific Practice and all internal agents to improve quality and production key performance indicators (KPIs) scores relative to similar internal organizations and establish KCI as a top 25% performer bench marked to its external peers.

Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Development:

• Lead recruiting and retention efforts to attract and retain top talent within the practice.
• Develop and deliver timely annual employee performance appraisals for assigned staff.
• Mentor staff, leading in their training and development.

Financial Management:

• Timely and accurate bi-weekly invoicing of Duke Energy with attention to financial details to ensure seemless payment from the client.
• Lead negotiations of contract terms, scopes, and fees with clients/subconsultants.
• Lead project schedule development from inception to completion for projects with Practice.
• Develop monthly progress reports and invoices for projects.
• Prepare monthly staff utilization plans.
• Operate within specified corporate or project budget parameters. Manage project administration in accordance with internal and contract specific requirements and forward to the Regional Director and operations manager.
• Provide monthly cash management (WIP/AR) comments to Finance and the Project Management Office.
• Provide weekly new project budget data and invoicing data to project analysts.

Business Development and Marketing:

• Drive business development initiatives by maximizing opportunities with existing and new clients, gathering valuable insights for business planning purposes, and cross-selling other KCI services where applicable.
• Lead project opportunity evaluation, consultant selection, and the preparation of qualification/experience statements within Practice.
• Lead identification of new business opportunities, coordinating and participating in project presentations to clients and other external groups, developing and organizing proposal teams and promoting KCI’s capabilities among existing and prospective clients within Practice.

Client Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain Duke Energy relationships by soliciting performance feedback, identifying client needs, and positioning the firm to be assigned the next project.
• Provide input for the annual business development plan to achieve sales target to the Regional Director.
• Provide and review annual market research in preparation for annual business plan development.
• Provide market trends to the Regional Director and Discipline Director for strategic planning purposes.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.
• Ensure practice fulfills Quality Management System compliance requirements.
• Participate and contribute to annual leadership meeting.
• Participate in and contribute to applicable regional office forums.
• Represent KCI in technical/industry and community organizations.

Safety and Project Management:

• Develop project specific safety plans as needed. Ensure compliance with all Federal, state, and local safety rules and regulations.
• Deliver all projects on time, within budget and at a high level of quality while fully meeting the scope.
• Monitor effective use of equipment and personnel.

* Essential Duties and Responsibilities are the basic job functions that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field (AEC Industry) and minimum of 7 years of related professional experience, or 11 years of equivalent professional experience.
• Progressive professional and increasing project management and organizational management experience.
• Proven experience in project management roles within the technical practice.
• Demonstrated leadership capability to build and lead teams of technical practitioners and/or project managers.
• Strong interpersonal as well as verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage budgets, project margins, and cash flow.
• Experience in business development, with a focus on maximizing client relationships and identifying growth opportunities.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence within the Practice.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions.
• Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools use in the practice area.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards related to the service line.

Certificates, licenses, and/or Registrations Required:

• Successful completion of the KCI PM Training and Contract Training for current employees) or ability to complete within six months (for new hires.)

Certificates, licenses, and/or Registrations Preferred:

• Professional license or certification within the field of expertise preferred.