Director – Utility Substations

Director Level

About the Position

The Director – Utility Substations is a key leadership role within the organization responsible for leading a business unit that focuses on substation Protection and Control (P&C) design for Utility clients. The Director provides oversight and leadership for multiple teams in the substation department while driving the development and implementation of best practices that enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and improve workflows and training. Responsibilities also include development and enforcement of standards and best practices to provide high quality deliverables on time and under budget, managing, scheduling, and prioritizing project staffing needs, mentoring Team Leads and Engineers, industry involvement strategy, focusing on client success, and fostering an inclusive environment.

Salary Range: 150,000 – 200,000 / year

The salary range above is based upon the Denver, Colorado labor market.

This opportunity is available to both local / in-office (Lakewood, Colorado) and full-time remote candidates.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Forecasting

• Collaborates with VP to develop and implement a multi-year group plan to achieve department and company goals for growth, efficiency, and profitability
• Collaborates with VP, Business Development and Sales to identify potential clients that could benefit from NEI’s expertise
• Strengthens existing client relationships and encourages repeat business by ensuring exceptional project delivery and proactive communication. Encourages and monitors client feedback to address concerns and continuously improve service quality. Assists with client contacts and communication

Industry Involvement

• Ensuring the team has representation on the right IEEE or other industry committees and sub boards
• Producing a plan for the department to produce at least 1 white paper or conference presentation a year.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Builds and maintains a high-performing substation group, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Collaborates with other departments and leaders to ensure alignment of goals, objectives, and expectations across the organization
• Performs other duties as assigned

Resource Allocation and Management

• Develops appropriate team structure and mix of staff
• Leads hiring efforts for lead engineers and team leaders
• Assists in interviewing and onboarding new team members across substation design teams
• Forecasts future staffing needs
• Monitors and manages group workload and team utilization, forecasting workloads based around project sizes and scope

Management of Execution and Performance

• Manages quality and deliverables across multiple teams ensuring client satisfaction and timely completion of project deliverables
• Reviews the work of teams for general quality and ensures accuracy as required
• Monitors group progress and performance, identifies and addresses obstacles and adjusts as needed to ensure successful project completion
• Reviews and manages documentation around financial statements, including, but not limited to, revenue, write-offs, COGS, overhead expenses, and net income
• Serves as a mentor to Team Leads and Engineers across teams
• Participates and engages with the Business Development team to provide technical guidance, pricing details, and scope to ensure cross-functional alignment
• Facilitates a seller-doer model to maintain existing client relationships and build new ones.
• Prepares a variety of documents and reports associated with projects including cost estimates, budget reports, and studies
• Maintains professional understanding of all applicable Codes and Standards, and construction practices

Process Development and Improvement

• Develops, outlines, updates, and implements Standard Best Practices (SBPs) and enforces them to ensure high-level execution from various team members
• Coordinates the creation and implementation of new tools, processes, workflows, and training programs that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and quality across the group.

Must Have

• Education: BSEE or BSEET from an accredited institution, electric power option preferred
• Experience: 5 years of engineering, 4 years of leadership and team management experience
• Licensure: PE preferred

• Strong knowledge and familiarity with electrical power systems, substation design, P&C design, and protective relaying
• Proficiency with AutoCAD
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects and initiatives
• Proven ability to drive innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement
• Ability to effectively manage resources, prioritize tasks, and balance competing priorities
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word
• Professional, articulate, and able to exercise independent judgement and discretion
• Highly organized and self-motivated
• Possesses effective written and oral communications skills
• Good interpersonal and people skills
• Must be able to legally work in the United States

Working Conditions

About NEI Electric Power Engineering

Serving Others. Enriching Environment. Improving Continually. Quality Results. Voted as a top workplace by the Denver Post for four straight years (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), our values have been woven into the fabric of who we are since 1982, guiding our decision making throughout the years. As an engineering services firm, NEI’s mission is to create a great organization that serves people and solves problems.

Since NEI’s founding, we have developed a culture of collaboration and accountability across our teams and departments, and externally with our clients across the United States. We believe in two core ideas: hiring great people and celebrating our team members diverse background and unique experiences; bringing in new, unique, and exciting perspectives that can only strengthen NEI as we chart out path into the future.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.

Team Member Benefits

We believe that taking care of our team members is of the utmost importance. We strive to foster a community of belonging, professional development, and industry involvement; providing our team with the benefits, tools, and support systems to excel in their roles. Out comprehensive benefits package includes:

• 100% Employer paid team member premiums for Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching; 100% immediate vesting
• Annual & discretionary bonus programs
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Employer paid licensure (FE/PE), certifications, seminars, & conferences
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Eight (8) paid holidays including a floating holiday to use at your discretion
• Annual Team Building
• Hybrid work environment with remote flexibility
• Career development, training, and coaching opportunities
• Pet insurance
• NEI Electric Power Engineering participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your completed Form I-9 to confirm your work authorization in the United States.