[Hiring] Associate Director, Industry and Infrastructure – Electrical @KFI Engineers

Role Description

The Associate Director is responsible for the day-to-day tactical management with a heavy focus on electrical engineering within the Utilities & Central Energy (UCE), Industrial, Process & Agribusiness (IPA), and Manufacturing (MFG) Groups, and the effective execution of department strategy. This role translates strategic priorities into actionable plans, coordinates resources, monitors performance, and ensures teams are aligned around operational goals, project commitments, quality expectations, and client needs.

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Strategy Execution
  • Translate department strategy into actionable priorities, workplans, goals, and operating rhythms for managers and team members.
  • Partner with the Director of UCE, IPA, and MFG to communicate strategic priorities, align department activities, and monitor progress against goals.
  • Support business planning by providing operational insight, performance updates, staffing considerations, and recommendations to improve department execution.
  • Identify and escalate risks, resource needs, and execution barriers that may impact department performance, project delivery, or client service.
  • Contribute to department initiatives that improve quality, efficiency, consistency, employee engagement, and client outcomes.
  • Take an active role in department resource planning, strategy, hiring, growing the group, and process improvement as a member of the UCE department leadership team.
• Leadership
  • Manage staff and provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and direction to managers, project leaders, engineers, and consultants within the department.
  • Set clear expectations, reinforce accountability, and support consistent communication across teams and project groups.
  • Facilitate goal setting and performance reviews, and conduct regular one-on-one meetings with staff as needed.
  • Develop and coach the talent needed to meet current and future organizational goals by providing feedback, identifying growth opportunities, and building leadership capability within the department.
  • Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing team environment that supports engagement, retention, and shared ownership of results.
  • Advocate for staff development and growth opportunities while promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration.
  • Promote proactive coordination to obtain the information electrical teams need for timely, accurate design decisions.
  • Build collaborative relationships and coordinate priorities with the Directors of Utilities and Central Energy, Industrial Process and Agribusiness, and Manufacturing.
  • Partner with Electrical Senior Technical Specialists to develop standards, strengthen mentorship, and identify team technical strengths and priority areas for capability development.
• Operations and Project Oversight
  • Oversee daily department operations, including workload planning, staffing coordination, project priorities, utilization, quality expectations, and issue resolution.
  • Actively manage assigned projects through completion using effective delegation, timely follow-up, and personal execution of work as needed.
  • Monitor project execution, budgets, schedules, resource allocation, delivery risks, and the accuracy and timeliness of invoicing and billing activity.
  • Make sound operational decisions by balancing client commitments, team capacity, financial performance, quality control, and department priorities.
  • Partner with project leaders to ensure engineering designs and consulting services meet applicable safety, environmental, ethical, regulatory, and quality standards.
  • Track key operational metrics and provide regular updates, insights, and recommendations to department leadership.
  • Support change management, process improvement, and implementation of department standards, tools, and practices.
• Business Development and Client Support
  • Serve as client manager for select client relationships.
  • Combine hands-on project delivery with client relationship development and pursuit support when required.
  • Ensure new opportunities are properly defined and scoped, and actively contribute to proposals, customer meetings, and other aspects of the business development process.
• Technical Support
  • Serve as the technical lead engineer on selected projects within the Associate Director’s area of expertise.
  • Provide hands-on technical support when needed to balance team workload, including calculations, specifications, equipment procurement, report writing, and field work.
  • Provide ongoing technical leadership in areas of expertise through design guidance, technical review, problem-solving, and knowledge sharing with the team.
  • Oversee and participate in department project engineering to ensure KFI quality, customer satisfaction, and financial objectives are achieved.
  • Apply scientific and engineering principles to designs and technical problems while supporting other departments and disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, or related field) from an accredited institution.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license or EIT/FE holder with willingness to obtain PE.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in engineering consulting, operations, project delivery, or related leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing daily operations, project execution, resource planning, and cross-functional priorities.
• Experience supporting business development activities, client relationships, proposal development, scoping discussions, and contract execution.
• Deep knowledge of the industrial, energy, manufacturing, or utilities sectors.
• Project experience with performing technical electrical engineering work on high hazard environments, 480V design, instrumentation, medium voltage, relay protection and control.
• Proven leadership experience coaching, developing, and managing direct or indirect reports.
• Strong business acumen with experience monitoring project financials, utilization, budgets, and operational performance metrics.
• Strong background in business development and client relationship management.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others.
• Knowledge of computer technology and specific areas of application, including MS Office.
• Travel: May include up to 25% domestic travel.

Requirements

• Certification in Project Management (PMP) or equivalent preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable electrical, utility, industrial, and commercial facility codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance coverage
• Virtual health services
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for HDHP enrollees with KFI contributions
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) plan
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off to include Earned Sick and Safe Time in accordance with state laws
• Paid Volunteer Time Off
• Company Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Bereavement Leave
• Voluntary benefits offered include life, accident, critical illness coverage