The Department Manager is responsible for the managerial direction and leadership of the Networks, Integration & Automation (NIA) Department within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Global Practice in Kansas City. This role supports and executes business strategy, develops high-performing teams, and promotes the Burns & McDonnell culture, values, and mission.
The NIA Department Manager leads the department in a dynamic and profitable manner, grounded in Burns & McDonnell’s core values of client satisfaction, commitment, dedication, integrity, safety, and outstanding service. This leader translates business direction into clear priorities, staffing plans, and execution expectations, building a workforce that is change-ready, value-focused, and curiosity-driven.
Department Leadership & Business Direction
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Provide leadership to the team; direct and coordinate work assignments and review performance to ensure efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff.
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Support and execute NIA and T&D business strategy by translating direction into department priorities, operating rhythms, and measurable expectations.
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Drive profitable growth by ensuring staff levels, staff loading, and staff assignments meet project requirements while maintaining billable/chargeability goals.
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Implement, apply, and support company and global practice programs and initiatives; successfully navigate and manage change within the department.
Financial Acumen & Operational Performance
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Achieve stated targets and standards for financial performance.
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Manage departmental budget and fund expenditures.
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Prepare and present workload and periodic operational reports to global practice, business line, and/or regional leadership and applicable project managers (e.g., utilization, staffing outlook, hiring plan, key risks).
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Use resource forecasting and workload planning to anticipate constraints early and reduce reactive staffing and delivery risk.
Talent, Performance, and Culture
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Recruit, develop, train, and retain staff.
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Conduct performance evaluations and address performance issues in partnership with HR.
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Establish clear expectations and accountability; provide leadership, guidance, and instruction to the department.
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Interpret policies, purposes, and goals of the organization to staff.
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Foster a positive, connected, high-performance culture aligned to Burns & McDonnell values; build transparency and consistency in people decisions.
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Identify capability gaps and partner with leadership to advance training and development that supports delivery needs.
Client Service, Growth, and Technical Excellence
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Provide expert-level technical/design guidance and support appropriate to discipline and role.
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Collaborate with business development managers, business line leads, project managers, and proposal teams to secure work aligned with staff capacity and capability.
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Ensure adherence to QA/QC processes and continuous improvement of delivery quality.
Safety, Compliance, and Employment Practices
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Ensure compliance with company and site safety policies.
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Maintain compliance with equal employment opportunity initiatives and fair, consistent employment practices.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction or related degree from an accredited program and 7 years of related professional experience in design and/or project management by July 1, 2026 required.
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Professional engineering registration is preferred.
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Proven leadership in developing and implementing a vision.
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and analytical / problem-solving skills.
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Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, poise, and discernment.
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Proven planning, organizing, and execution skills.
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Strong preference for the following:
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Burns & McDonnell recruiting experience.
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Experience in giving and receiving performance feedback for those they work with.
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Familiarity with tools/technology such as Pivot Tables, Data Models, Office 365 apps, and other efficiency/data tracking tools.
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Ability to influence, lead, and manage change thoughtfully and positively.
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History of high performance as demonstrated and documented in the Burns & McDonnell performance management system.
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Position to be located in Kansas City.
