WSP Power & Energy National Business Unit Director (BUD), Project Management Division – Generation & Advanced Complimentary Services (ACS)

WSP Power & Energy is seeking a Leader for our Project Management Division to lead our Generation and Advanced Complimentary Services (ACS) Project Management team. The BUD is a member of the Power & Energy Project & Program Management leadership team, reporting to the Project & Program Management Division Manager (Business Line Executive – 1).  This role and responsibility will oversee several separate cost centers, each with its own unique clientele and technical requirements.  This position covers the US National Region for WSP’s Power & Energy Business Line.    

While part of the responsibilities of this new position is to develop a long-term organizational structure to foster growth and consistent project execution, the anticipated cost centers tied to this position include:

• Energy Generation Project Management

  • Fossil Fuel Project Management

  • Renewables Project Management

• Distribution Services Project Management

• Field Services & Testing Project Management (currently POWER Testing & Energization)

• Advanced Complimentary Services Project Management (Future)

  • AUS Project Management

  •  Visualization Services Project Management

  • Small Utility Services

This Opportunity

The National BUD will be responsible for overall project execution and success for all projects executed under the cost centers of the Generation and ACS Project Management Business Unit.  This not only includes profit and loss for the Project Management cost centers associated with the Business Unit but overall project success throughout the execution of the work by various Business Units and Business Lines throughout WSP that may be required for the project work.  The National BUD will be responsible for developing and implementing the Business Unit’s strategy to integrate into the existing WSP P&E Project & Program Management Division while aligning the various cost centers within the Generation & ACS Business Unit.  Development of the overall strategy for the Generation & ACS Project Management Business Unit will need to occur in close collaboration with the overall strategy of the Project & Program Management Division, Energy Delivery’s Project Management Business Unit and Energy Delivery’s Engineering Division.  While the primary requirement is for each cost center to be successful within its unique landscape, consistency of project execution within the overall Generation & ACS Project Management is paramount.   

While the initial focus of the position will be internally driven in order to stand-up this new Business Unit, the overall intent is for the BUD to split their time between internally focused project execution activities and externally focused, client relationship development.  These specific Project Management Cost Centers are being broken out separately within the P&E Project & Program Management Division in order to support growth in these markets and growth of the Project Management team will be a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for the BUD. 

Job Summary of Roles and Responsibilities

The BUD is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of project management team to produce a product consistent with WSP/POWER’s mission statement and our culture.  The BUD is expected to achieve the goals of the business plan, maintain WSP/POWER’s high-quality standards, promote internal teamwork and meet the needs of our clients.   The position requires a focus on division goals to enhance client focus, while providing solutions and maintaining teamwork.

Essential Job Duties

• Preparation and execution of BUD’s business plan. Meet and exceed business plan financial and strategic goals.  Periodically review the BUD business plan to ensure progress towards goals. 
• Develop and execute recruiting plan. Monitor and address retention.  Hire new PMs through external recruitment or internal Project Engineer-Project Manager (PE-PM) Transfers to grow the Business Unit consistent with needs to support new client development and growth of existing work.  Work with internal and external recruiters to hire top talent for the Business Unit.  Coordinate with other Business Unit leaders to understand overall growth expectations to ensure adequate Project Management support for expected company growth. 
• Develop and execute training plans for successful integration between POWER’s historical project execution requirements and WSP’s Project Delivery requirements. 
• Prepare, monitor and execute Project Management integration plans for internal PE-PM transfers and new external hires. Ensure a strong mentoring relationship is established with all new PM’s.
• Oversee the bi-annual employee review process for all staff. Perform reviews for all direct reports.
• Support the development of the next generation of leaders. Develop confidential, written, leadership succession plans.
• Support P&E’s sales and marketing efforts including coordination with Business Development, centralized marketing and proposal teams, including cross divisional efforts as they arise. 
• Ensure that monthly (minimum) meetings are held with each PM and their direct supervisor to discuss project status, processes and relevant reports as identified as best practices within WSP/POWER’s Project Delivery structure.  Address project risk issues as they develop to minimize risk across our project portfolio.   
• Promote, monitor and meet key PM metrics for the BU including minimizing unbilled and accounts receivable, meet or exceed utilization goals, minimize write offs and reserves and reinforce earned value management throughout the BU.  Work with P&E Project & Program Management Division Leadership to develop new PM metrics based on WSP’s established Project Delivery project execution process and requirements. 
• Support utilization of POWER’s Resource Planning Tool (RPT) and POWER360 across the business unit.  Work with P&E Project & Program Management Division Leadership to transition RPT and POWER360 functionality to WSP’s ERP system. 
• Participate and influence the outcomes for GNG meetings, terms and conditions negotiations as well as for rates/rate increases for our proposals and MSAs. Mentor and strengthen our PMs in these areas.  Ensure all contracts with deal breakers and non-standard fee schedule rates are vetted prior to processing through our CSA procedure. Work with P&E Project & Program Management Division Leadership to transition CSA procedures into WSP’s Delegation of Authority (DOA) process to ensure sound contract execution.
• Leverage the BUD role by developing executive level relationships for a specific target client or clients.
• Position self and reports to take on externally facing and active roles in national or regional organizations with the goal of challenging employees and positioning WSP/POWER as the expert in our field.
• Fulfill PM role, executive sponsor, and/or PM mentor on project(s).
• Position the BU to be able to subcontract services to diverse suppliers to meet client diversity-specific goals.
• Position the BU to be able to support WSP internal Global Capability Centre services and support growth of the GCC throughout project execution within the BU.
• Support the P&E overall strategic goals including:
  • #1 ENR Pure Power Design
  • Best in Class Client Experience
  • Program Management growth and major wins
• Work with WSP and POWER leadership to help develop and execute on a combined long-term vision for integration between WSP and POWER in regard to organizational structure, client coordination and process/procedure requirements for project execution. 

People & Culture 

• Support integration of the best industry talent by fostering a work environment that is collaborative, values inclusion and belonging, and invites broad, creative thinking – crafting a more attractive place to work, grow and thrive. 
• Emphasizes employee training and development to create a unique work experience.
• Supports global P&E Market sector collaboration through the identification of appropriate P&E USA representatives and the resulting cascading of information across the P&E USA practice. 
• Supports in strategic recruitment, promotional programs and performance management focused on the employee experience, wellness and safety.  
• Inspires, motivates and promotes the best of WSP to our clients and communities to ensure strong employee engagement and morale. 
• Supports programs such as Safety, Sustainability and Ethics & Compliance.

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent Bachelor’s degree
• PE (or equivalent) license or PMP certification
• Fifteen (15) + years’ industry experience
• Demonstratable leadership and execution experience
• Demonstrated competence in client development and client relationship management
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Desired Education/Experience

• Ten (10) years’ project management experience preferred
• Participation and leadership in relevant industry professional organizations
• Demonstrated competence in working with multiple departments, disciplines, and multiple companies to deliver successful projects

• Knowledge of WSP/POWER’s major clients in the business unit

   

POWER is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.