POSITION SPECIFICATION
Position: Associate Director, Industry & Infrastructure (I&I) Electrical Department: Utilities & Central Energy (UCE) Reporting Relationship: Director, UCE
COMPANY BACKGROUND
KFI Engineers is a recognized industry leader in facility infrastructure design and performance. Since 1996, our culture of collaboration and unique capabilities have allowed us to make a difference in the way infrastructure and processing projects are delivered. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with numerous regional offices throughout the United States, and a team of hundreds of professionals, we offer opportunities to continue your career with mentorship programs, career growth support, and continued education. With KFI, we find a way to provide creative solutions to unique projects while providing the same care we would expect if we were the client. For more information about KFI Engineers and our culture, please visit www.kfi-eng.com.
POSITION OVERVIEW & RESPONSIBILITIES
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. Working closely with the Director of UCE, the Associate Director provides leadership to managers and team members, supports consistent delivery practices, and helps remove barriers that may impact project execution, team effectiveness, or business performance.
The Utilities & Central Energy (UCE) group specializes in large central plant work, particularly for district energy serving cities, universities, hospitals, and manufacturing campuses. Our expertise covers both energy production and distribution. We have expertise in sustainable energy production, simple and combined cycle, combined heat and power, and medium voltage power.
This position requires strong operational leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to balance daily priorities with longer-term departmental objectives. The Associate Director uses communication, coaching, project management, and analytical skills to guide work across teams, manage competing demands, support resource planning, and drive accountability for results. The role also contributes to continuous improvement by identifying gaps in processes, tools, communication, and delivery practices, then partnering with leaders and team members to implement practical solutions that support department performance and client satisfaction.
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 and holding partner disciplines accountable for commitments that affect electrical team members.
- 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 to support aligned staffing, project execution, and client service.
- 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; allocate resources to support effective staff utilization and development.
- 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 to support successful project delivery.
- 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, as required by project complexity, staffing needs, or client commitments.
- 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.
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- 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, preferably within the industrial, energy, manufacturing, or utilities industries.
- Demonstrated experience managing daily operations, project execution, resource planning, and cross-functional priorities within a technical or professional services environment.
- Experience supporting business development activities, client relationships, proposal development, scoping discussions, and contract execution.
- Deep knowledge of the industrial, energy, manufacturing, or utilities sectors, demonstrated through active engagement in relevant conferences, trade shows, professional organizations, and client visits.
- Project experience with performing technical electrical engineering work on one or more of the following: 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 within the industrial, energy, manufacturing, or utilities sectors.
- 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.
Preferred
- Certification in Project Management (PMP) or equivalent.
- Comprehensive knowledge of applicable electrical, utility, industrial, and commercial facility codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, including relevant NFPA, NEC, IEEE, and ASHRAE provisions.
Working Conditions
- Some work locations will feature the tough terrain typical of construction sites or require lifting or moving field testing equipment.
CORE BEHAVIORS
Accountable
- Demonstrates persistence in the achievement of goals.
- Acts with a sense of urgency.
- Takes responsibility for own actions.
Business Focus
- Demonstrates agility, adapts well to changes.
- Works well under pressure.
- Meets commitments to internal/external customers.
Project Execution
- Plans projects well, managing last-minute rushes and disruptions.
- Balances Speed and Quality.
- Looks for improvement in our delivery, tools and processes.
- Other duties as assigned.
Demonstrates Respect for Others
- Keeps others adequately informed.
- Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views.
- Adapts communication style and method based on audience and situation.
Team Player
- Balances team and individual responsibilities.
- Shares expertise with others.
- Inspires respect and trust.
Managing People
- Develops employees’ skills and encourages growth.
- Consistently provides timely feedback to employees.
- Delegates effectively, providing clear direction and authority to act.
Benefits:
At KFI, our comprehensive benefit program provides our employees with the resources to support their health, wellness and financial well-being. Full-Time employees have access to:
- 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
Salary Range: $149,000 - $186,500 annually. The final agreed upon compensation is based on individual qualifications, experience, work location, and education. This position is eligible for an annual bonus.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship. Equal Opportunity Employer – Veterans and Disabilities
