The RoleThe Associate Director is responsible for overseeing the strategic, operational, and financial aspects of a designated vertical market within the firm's engineering practice. Focused on driving the success of a specific sector, the Associate Director combines leadership, market expertise, and project management skills to ensure that engineering projects are executed successfully and business development initiatives are advanced. This role manages high-profile projects, cultivates client relationships, and contributes to the firm's overall strategic growth while ensuring the vertical operates efficiently and remains a trusted partner to clients
Responsibilities- Develop and execute strategic business plans for the assigned practice area, ensuring alignment with the firm's overall operational, financial, and growth objectives.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, serving as the primary point of contact for key accounts and identifying opportunities to expand services and deepen engagement.
- Lead business development efforts within the designated sector, including identifying new project opportunities, preparing proposals, leading presentations, and negotiating contracts.
- Oversee a portfolio of engineering projects, ensuring successful delivery through adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
- Provide technical and managerial oversight to project teams, supporting project managers and technical leads in resolving challenges and ensuring client satisfaction.
- Monitor project progress, staffing levels, and deliverable quality, taking corrective action as needed to meet performance benchmarks.
- Guide resource planning and workload balancing within the practice area to optimize team utilization and ensure project efficiency.
- Mentor and support the professional development of project managers, engineers, and technical staff, promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Track and manage financial performance metrics including revenue forecasts, backlog, profitability, and utilization, and implement strategies to meet or exceed targets.
- Own and be accountable for a revenue portfolio, ensuring consistent delivery, client satisfaction, and market growth.
- Collaborate with firm leadership to contribute insights into business strategy, market trends, and operational improvements to strengthen the firm's position in the sector.
- Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and client meetings to promote the firm's capabilities and enhance its visibility and reputation.
QualificationsRequired
- Bachelor's degree in engineering from ABET-accredited university or related field.
- 10+ years of experience in engineering project management and business development.
Preferred
- Master's degree or additional certification in business development or project management
Why you'll love Stratus- A team-oriented environment that values transparency, creativity, and shared success
- Meaningful career paths, leadership opportunities, and space to specialize
- Learning & Development - Education and Professional Licensing
- We believe flexible, hybrid work supports the balance and well-being our team deserves
- Excellent Health Care Programs - Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Company-paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Life Insurance options for employees, spouses, and dependents
- 401k Retirement Plan with employer match
- Paid Holidays & Competitive PTO plans
Interested in learning more about Stratus, please visit https://www.stratusteam.com/.
