Substation Section Manager

About the Role

Leadership duties include supervising substation team leads, conducting annual performance reviews, coordinating training, and developing a mentorship program in partnership with the System Protection, Studies, and Transmission sections. The manager also works with recruiting, business class, and national leadership to devise hiring plans that align with client and work‑sharing needs, and builds a network of technical and leadership peers across offices to leverage work‑sharing opportunities. The manager ensures compliance with HDR’s Quality Management System, maintains accurate workload and utilization forecasts, and participates in client management, technical support, and industry activities such as conferences, budgeting meetings, and association committees. Contributions also extend to increasing HDR’s visibility through white papers and presentations. • Lead and oversee substation projects of varying size, managing scope, schedule, budget, and quality. • Develop project proposals, assemble teams, and ensure successful execution and closeout. • Apply project‑management tools including risk assessment, work breakdown structures, and earned value analysis. • Supervise substation team leads, conduct performance reviews, and coordinate training initiatives. • Partner with recruiting and business leaders to create hiring plans that meet client and workload demands. • Build and leverage relationships with technical peers across offices for work‑sharing opportunities. • Establish and run a mentorship program in coordination with System Protection, Studies, and Transmission sections. • Ensure compliance with HDR Quality Management System and promote a culture of quality. • Maintain accurate workload and utilization forecasts aligned with area and business expectations. • Represent HDR at industry conferences, author white papers, and serve on professional association committees.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸project management
• ▸risk assessment
• ▸earned value
• ▸quality management
• ▸utilization forecast
• ▸work sharing

What You Bring

The Substation Section Manager is responsible for program and project management of substation projects of all sizes, overseeing scope development, team formation, execution, closeout, and quality, schedule, and budget control. This role requires a solid grasp of basic project‑management tools, effective written and verbal communication, and the ability to maintain a positive work environment for staff. Preferred candidates have senior technical or leadership experience in utilities or consulting engineering, familiarity with substation design layouts, and knowledge of job‑site electrical hazards and safety precautions. Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), at least ten years of experience, possible professional registration, strong communication, multitasking, leadership abilities, and a commitment to HDR’s employee‑owned culture. • Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with clients, staff, and leadership. • Minimum 10 years of relevant experience, preferably in senior technical or leadership roles within utilities or consulting engineering. • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; professional registration or certification as required. • Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and listening skills. • Ability to manage multiple assignments and prioritize effectively.

Requirements

• ▸10+ years
• ▸bachelor's
• ▸leadership
• ▸project management
• ▸substation design
• ▸safety

Work Environment

Onsite