Practice Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Practice Director oversees strategies and efforts relative to client experience, profitability, technical quality, innovation, business development, and employee engagement for the practice. The Practice Director aligns our vertical markets and our clientele as directed by Sector leadership in support of the company strategic plans. The Practice Director is the brand ambassador for the practice with internal and external clients creating awareness, providing timely state-of-the-practice updates to relevant stakeholders, and building relationships that drive business. The Practice Director oversees the alignment of production staff and project work within the practice. The Practice Director may serve as the Practice Manager, as necessary. This position is heavily matrixed and may include accountabilities across the Sector Leadership team.

Essential Job Functions

Major Accountabilities

OPERATIONS

• Oversees all operation areas of the practice through direct supervision of practice managers for project execution within the practice, accountable for meeting company quality standards across individual purview.
• Assists sector leadership to procure opportunities that align with the sector strategy.
• Leads communication and collaboration across the practice to ensure consistency across projects.
• Assesses and communicates the staffing and resource needs for the practice to sector leadership.
• Implements process changes in alignment with company strategies and processes to improve client experience.
• Strategizes the technical needs of the practice to develop and implement appropriate tools, processes, and procedures.

PROFITABILITY

• Develops the annual budget for the practice in cooperation with the sector leadership team, tracks revenue margins and conducts budget reviews to maximize profits.
• Evaluates practice performance, adjusts operations accordingly, and provides reports and presentations on all aspects of practice performance as requested by the sector leadership.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT/ TEAMWORK

• Oversees effective management of employee relations and personnel matters including all employment actions within the practice.
• Collaborates with organizational, sector, practice, and/or office leadership to foster an engaged, dynamic employee culture and lead company-wide events and initiatives.
• Teams with Practice Managers to identify opportunities and gaps in employee development efforts and respond with appropriate action.
• Demonstrates an organization-wide mindset, cooperating across practice leadership to collectively meet sector goals.

CLIENT EXPERIENCE

• Maintains a national-level knowledge and presence across the practice and industry to inform project pursuits and execution.
• Builds and maintains client relationships across all geographically strategic locations.
• Mentors project staff on client expectations, service standards, and practice trends.
• Utilizes all service lines to grow presence within the practice and better support clients. 
• Manages client experience to ensure a profitable market share within a practice, aligns client maintenance and development with sector growth strategies.
• Teams with marketing staff to generate proposals and determine a profitable fee structure that aligns with sector strategy.

GROWTH & INNOVATION

• Assists sector leadership of assigned sector and/or other sectors, as needed, to develop and/or implement plans for the growth and development of the practice.
• Mentors others to share expertise and knowledge of market, clients, and projects.
• Monitors and utilizes company and industry trends to ensure the company maintains a competitive position within the practice.
• Supports implementation of innovation goals for the practice and develops innovative ways to identify, connect, and support clients.

Education, Experience, Licenses, Skills & Abilities

Bachelor’s degree in any engineering, construction management, science, technology, marketing, or business preferred. Years of relevant experience in leadership/management position will be considered in lieu of requisite education. 

• Ten (10) or greater years of relevant experience, with a minimum of five (5) years leadership/management experience. (e.g., personnel management, project management, program direction, strategic leadership)
• History of building strong teams to improve the client experience and drive business results.
• Proven track record in engaging with clients and maintaining effective relationships over time.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve measurable results based on client satisfaction.
• Demonstrated understanding and participation in professional networks in the AEC industry.

Skills and abilities needed to perform the essential functions of the job.

Henderson’s Core Competency outline the skills and behaviors we look for in every candidate who applies for #TeamHenderson. These skills are the backbone of decades of success as a company. Strategic leaders are expected to demonstrate a great deal of sophistication in each core skills area. Examples of how this looks in action are below.

COMMUNICATION

• Drives a timely exchange of information
• Breaks down communication barriers
• Unites diverse ideas to achieve best results
• Communicates comfortably with a wide variety of stakeholder

INTEGRITY

• Leads with humility sharing lessons learned to help others
• Adapts leadership style naturally in response to challenges
• Demonstrates great care and consideration for others
• Prioritizes candor to build trust and advance a culture of accountability

QUALITY ORIENTATION

• Aligns development with company-wide technical expertise and capabilities
• Communicates passion and motivates others to achieve high-quality outcomes and client experience
• Empowers others to deal with ambiguity and maintain consistent standard of service and results
• Engages the resources in response to areas in need of improvement

TEAMWORK/INCLUSION

• Connects others to build strong networks and teams.
• Promotes a culture of partnerships to increase diversity in decisions and solutions
• Values the impact diversity has on company success.
• Plays key role in bringing on strategic and top talent

CONTINUOUS LEARNING

• Interfaces with industry leaders to maintain accurate pulse of relevant market/s
• Builds an environment that rewards initiative and learning
• Advocates for innovative ways of doing things
• Empowers others to contribute imaginative solutions and challenge the status quo
• Aligns leadership development with current and future company needs

FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Clarifies company goals and strategies, aligns management-level performance metrics appropriately, and provides ongoing coaching to maximize success
• Maintains relationships throughout the industry to advance company goals
• Leverages expertise and depth of experience to manage risks with opportunity
• Makes decisions in the best interest of the company
• Leads purposefully through change and empowers others to respond confidently
• Wins buy-in and consensus by building solid businesses cases