Director of Operations

JOB DESCRIPTION

INTEGRATED DESIGN and ADVISORY (IDA)

Integrated Design and Advisory is one of three business verticals at Michael Baker International with more than 850 professionals located across the country. We unite architecture and engineering design expertise with strategic advisory services to deliver holistic and innovative solutions that address the business and project objectives of our clients. We serve market sectors, including industrial, defense contractors, data centers, aerospace, life sciences, healthcare, higher education, aviation, rail and transit, and the federal government.

Our multidisciplinary approach leverages the early involvement of all project stakeholders and key disciplines including planning, architecture, interior design, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural and fire protection (MEP+S+FP) engineering. Our Advisory capabilities provide solutions across the project life cycle along with sustainability and resilience. This offering highlights the firm's expertise in areas such as strategic consulting, planning, cybersecurity, building controls, cost management, commissioning, program management, construction support, building information modeling, digital twins, emergency response, disaster recovery, operational continuity, energy resiliency and more.

Over the past 85 years, Michael Baker has built a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation, and integrity as we partner with our clients to solve complex built environment and critical infrastructure challenges. We have achieved success as a company by employing a solutions-oriented mindset and continually evolving our capabilities to best serve our clients. Integrated Design and Advisory supports our long-term growth strategy, enhanced capabilities, and unique areas of expertise that focus on high performance buildings, intelligent systems, and critical infrastructure. We are focused on an integrated approach, informed decision-making, and innovative solutions to aggressively pursue, win, and execute large, complex projects for government and private sector clients.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

We are expanding our Cost Management team We are seeking a Director of Operations for Cost Management (CM) who, in close collaboration with our Practice Executive, will be responsible for the strategy, growth, and development of our growing CM Practice across Michael Baker International. This is a key leadership position in our IDA business vertical reporting to our VP and CM Practice Executive. This leadership role will guide resources across the practice, evolving market sectors, driving goals, values, and growth strategies.

As a champion of the seller-doer model, this Director role will focus on business development in emerging private markets while supporting established sectors like Federal, Aviation, and Transit. This position requires close partnership and coordination with our marketing and business development team, as well as affiliate companies, to pursue opportunities and leverage existing clients and markets. This individual will develop and drive the implementation of the strategic business development plans to expand the IDA practice, including identifying and pursuing new market opportunities as well as expanding existing client and industry partner relationships. The ideal candidate exhibits proven success in managing Cost Management programs and collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams. Effective communication and relationship-building skills—internally and externally—are essential.

Key priorities include:

• Driving proposal development and marketing efforts.
• Ensuring scope, schedule, and budget alignment.
• Leading project planning, quality management, and risk assessment.
  Promoting innovative capabilities, technical excellence, and performance across global projects.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (SELLER-DOER)

• Focus on new business development and cultivating client relationships in private sector markets to include Corporate, Industrial, Manufacturing, Lifesciences, etc. Maximize Michael Baker's industry exposure and capabilities in these markets, including expanding relationships with clients and industry partners while embracing emerging technologies and innovations.
• Support Federal and Infrastructure (Aviation, Transit, etc.) teams in the growth of these sectors and with client and industry partner relationship development as required.
• Grow new clients and diversify our services; engage in business development strategy with project managers, subject matter experts, market and practice leads, operations, and regional directors.
• Assist and/or lead the strategy and messaging for targeted pursuits, including all elements to craft winning proposals. Assist with the development of gap analyses, competitive assessments, discriminators and key win themes, and overall win strategy/value proposition.
• Participate in the development and execution of capture plans with the objective of increasing the win probability of targeted pursuits. Participate in Go/No-Go evaluations.
• Understand company and partner capabilities and limitations; assemble strategic teams and partnerships when desired; learn from industry leaders and review publications. Assist with external teaming arrangements and partnerships to include identifying, selecting, and recruiting consultant partners and subconsultants.
• Actively participate with professional and community-focused organizations to grow relationships and introduce/educate potential clients towards the CM Practice at Michael Baker International.
• Exhibit bold leadership through performance management, accountability, flexibility around unexpected issues/challenges, conflict management, and empathy.
• Demonstrate strong business leadership and financial acumen.
• Balance technical alignment with staff, projects, and clients. Coordinate throughout IDA leveraging the strength and diverse array of talents throughout our organization to effectively meet our client's needs.
• Ensure consistent use and application of operations management tools and facilitate weekly coordination meetings to facilitate effective resource planning, quality management, and project execution.
• Encourage uniformly high standards and monitor projects to ensure that quality and production standards are met for all documents.
• Facilitate inter-office/inter-disciplinary collaboration, communication, and cooperation.
• Constructively critique individual and team efforts, towards continuous improvement.
• Champion staff development through coaching and mentoring.
• Actively identify and recruit industry talent for strategic growth.
  Foster a continuous learning culture by encouraging communication and the sharing of ideas and technical knowledge through mentoring, in-house presentations, case studies, and continuing education opportunities.

ADDITIONAL KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and promote collective leadership presence within the Alexandria, VA Office, reporting "in-person" to the physical office three (3) days per week, minimum.
• Regularly attend local industry and client events representing the comprehensive capabilities of IDA to promote brand awareness.
• Collaborate office space needs with the local Infrastructure Office Executive.
• Foster a positive and inclusive office culture.
  Provide administrative support to senior leadership as needed.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Strong leadership with a minimum of 15 years of experience in Cost Management and/or related roles.
• BS Degree in Engineering, Construction Management/Science or equivalent
• Professional Engineer (PE) strongly desired
• Thorough knowledge of the CM business with demonstrated experience leading, directing, and managing people.
  Travel (25%+/-) is anticipated based on program/project responsibilities.

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS

• Proficient experience and understanding of interdisciplinary relationships between technical resources, clients, and stakeholders.
• Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Adobe, and Bluebeam.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills exhibited through the ability to articulate ideas, both verbally and in writing; personable and outgoing in work relationships, both externally and internally; highly precise, detailed, and self-organized; frank and candid during all business relationships.
  Business development experience is highly preferred, including research and developing responses to Requests for Proposals (RFP), as well as an oversight of written and graphic marketing materials.

COMPENSATION

The approximate compensation range for this position is $160,000 to $236,000 annually. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

ABOUT US

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world's most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with nearly 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

*It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

*There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.