Business Unit Manager

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM you become part of a company that is:

• 100% employee-owned with 40 years of industry history
• ENR (Engineering News Record) Top 500 firm
• Rated as a top System Integrator Giant
  
  
  

Wunderlich-Malec is expanding and we’re looking for a hands-on technical and operations leader for our Business Unit Manager opportunity in Atlanta, GA. This person will grow our Atlanta presence from its infancy into a thriving, profitable business unit. If you are an entrepreneurial leader who thrives on building teams, delivering technical excellence, and watching a business grow under your leadership — this role is for you.

The Business Unit Manager will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight opportunity including financial performance, business development, and team management. Drive profitability, growth, and long-term sustainability by fostering a high-performance culture, ensuring operational excellence, and aligning with corporate objectives. Serve as a Principal Project Manager when required, leading complex, multi-disciplinary projects and programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities The following responsibilities are essential to the satisfactory performance of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made as needed. Non-essential functions are assumed to be included under “other related duties as assigned.”

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and execute annual strategic plans with defined 1-, 3-, and 5-year objectives and goals
• Create and nurture an organizational culture that supports the business unit strategy and values
• Collaborate with other business units to support the growth of WM, including resource sharing for cross-unit projects
• Interpret and enforce company policies and procedures within the business unit
• Ensure business unit budgets, business plans, and strategic goals are met
  
  
  

Financial Oversite & Reporting

• Responsible for the BU’s profit and loss performance
• Oversee all financial aspects of the BU, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control
• Track and report BU financial status, backlog, opportunities, and key metrics to the Regional Vice President
• Support the Corporate Project Accountant (PA) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) by adhering to timely and effective business process requirements
  
  
  

Sales & Business Development

• Lead all sales and business development activities for Georgia, and associated national accounts
• Responsible for all BU cost estimates and proposal approvals prior to client delivery
• Guide clients in project decisions to ensure optimal business solutions
• Utilize Salesforce for account, project, proposal, and client management
  
  
  

Project & Resource Management

• Assign work and allocate resources to meet overall project deadlines
• Evaluate project progress, suggest changes, and approve proposals generated by others
• Maintain and utilize work forecasting tools
• Support Project Managers (PMs) with purchasing, invoicing, and accounts receivable tracking
• Represent the client as an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) when needed, managing third parties on behalf of the client
• Work weekends, holidays, nightshift, and extended hours to meet deadlines and commissioning requirements as needed
  
  
  

Principal Project Manager Responsibilities

• Lead and provide direction for small to large, high-complexity, multi-disciplinary projects and programs
• Manage and oversee the end-to-end project lifecycle, ensuring successful delivery
• Develop project concepts and detailed execution plans
• Build and lead high-performing teams to meet project goals and objectives
• Maintain regular contact with clients and report on project progress and accomplishments
• Manage vendor and client relationships to ensure service expectations are met
• Coordinate with all required functions and groups to effectively plan and execute projects
  
  
  

Talent Management & Development

• Manage BU employee owners including project managers, schedulers, cost managers, engineers, technicians, sales representatives, and administrative support
• Develop and implement hiring and retention strategies
• Make decisions on hiring, termination, promotion, and compensation
• Conduct annual performance reviews for each BU employee owner
• Oversee employee development, including technical skills, performance, and career growth planning
  
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with corporate teams on national initiatives and policy implementation
• Serve in multiple roles as needed, including business development, sales, project management, operations, controls engineering, technical consulting, and customer account management
  
  
  

Vendor & Partner Relations

• Manage relationships with vendors, general contractors, contract partners, A&E firms, and professional associations
• Review, edit, and manage customer agreements and contracts in collaboration with the WM Legal Team
  
  
  

Facilities & Logistics

• Oversee logistics for the Atlanta office, including leases, infrastructure, custodial services, security, and lunchroom operations
  
  
  

Safety & Compliance

• Support implementation of BU and national safety programs
• Ensure compliance with Quality Management Systems and support internal and external audits
• Stay informed of and comply with policies outlined in the Employee Handbook
  
  
  

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is preferred
• Business or other technical degrees with equivalent experience may be considered
• Minimum ten years’ experience in project or operations management within an engineering-centric organization
• Experience as an automation engineer with hardware and software design of control systems across multiple industries preferred
• Experience in Life Sciences, Data Center, Semiconductor, High Tech Manufacturing, or Utilities preferred
  
  
  

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

• Strong leadership and client relationship skills required
• Valid driver’s license and international passport (or ability to obtain quickly)
• Willingness to travel (average 25%), including weekends and evenings as required
• Background in business administration, business development, and sales is highly desirable
  
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities The BU Manager is responsible for the direct and indirect supervision of employee-owners including operations manager(s), engineering manager(s), project managers, sales managers, and engineers

Work Conditions The physical demands and work-environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The following requirements apply to implementing automation solutions at the customer location:

• Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and move around job sites for up to 8-12 hours per shift
• Ability to frequently climb up and down stairs and ladders
• Ability to maintain balance and stability while performing tasks at heights
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and move objects up to 40 pounds as required
• Ability to hear and communicate with clear speech in industrial environments
• Ability to drive vehicles and operate simple machinery, with proper training, such as lifts
• Frequent reaching, bending, stooping, crouching, or crawling in and around machinery and production equipment as required during project commissioning and startup activities
• Manual dexterity is sufficient to operate tools, instruments, or computer equipment
• The ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, and steel-toed boots
• Visual acuity and hand-eye coordination required for inspection, troubleshooting, and detailed technical work
• Working Environment
  
  

• Working around construction and industrial production equipment and personnel
• Exposure to manufacturing environments with moderate to high noise levels, temperature fluctuations, moving mechanical parts, and industrial chemicals
• Electrical/Instrumentation, device checkout and troubleshooting, including voltage testing, troubleshooting equipment on a ladder, and light electrical assembly (e.g., signal wiring in control panels/instruments)
• Typical Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) Required: Safety Glasses, Steel Toed shoes, hearing protection, and electrical safety PPE. Employees must comply with customer specific requirements and PPE
  
  
  

Our People

• Empowered Employee-Owners – As owners of Wunderlich-Malec, we are invested in its success. We hire top talent and empower them to take initiative, drive innovation, and deliver impactful solutions
• Motivated & Rewarded – We invest in continuing education and offer world-class benefits, ensuring our employee-owners stay motivated, fulfilled, and future-ready
• Positive & Committed – Our experts bring long-term dedication and a positive, can-do attitude to every project
• Industry-Smart – Recognized leaders in their fields, our employee-owners stay sharp through ongoing training and deep knowledge of evolving industry trends
  
  
  

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical

• Dental
• Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Short Term Disability
• Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• 401(k)/Profit Sharing
• 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Will Preparation Resources
• Worldwide Travel Assistance