Aerospace Market Sector Leader

HDR•St. Louis, MO

About The Position

The Aerospace Market Sector Leader (MSL) serves as HDR’s lead for the Aerospace market in Missouri and Kansas, advancing the company’s position as a trusted advisor through market growth, client service, and project delivery. The role develops and maintains client relationships, identifies and secures business opportunities, and ensures high-quality project delivery aligned with HDR’s business and performance objectives. The MSL also supports larger or strategic market pursuits across the broader geographic region. The MSL works alongside the Aerospace Sector Director to develop and execute market growth and marketing strategies. The role represents HDR with clients and industry organizations, leads key pursuits, and may serve as Project Principal or Project Manager on selected aerospace projects. It also supports project teams and collaborates with business and delivery leaders on technical resources, profitability, workload balance, and utilization. HDR describes its transportation work as supporting safe, efficient, sustainable mobility and resilient, connected communities. The position is part of the Transportation Business Group and contributes to HDR’s collaborative, employee-owned culture.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, planning, or a related field.
At least 10 years of industry experience.
Experience developing and managing strategic marketing programs for planning and/or engineering services.
Experience developing and managing a range of client relationships and program and/or project pursuits.
Experience with staff development, including recruiting, career paths, and professional growth.
Experience with industry associations and maintaining a visible profile in the market sector.
Ability to work cooperatively with Regional Market Sector Directors, Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Directors, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers, and Area Managers.
Commitment to HDR’s values and active participation in its employee-owned culture.
Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, organizational, project management, and written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex, large-scale projects.
Strong analytical, risk mitigation, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to support project managers.
Strong focus on client experience, management, and outcomes.
Strategic thinking, business acumen, and a growth orientation.
Collaborative leadership skills, including team building, mentoring, and performance management.
Commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performing work environment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in engineering, architecture, construction, business management, or a related field.
At least 15 years of progressive experience in Aerospace or related industries.
Professional licensure and/or industry-relevant certifications.
Deep historical knowledge of the Aerospace industry.
Strong understanding of aerospace infrastructure, facilities, planning, and emerging technologies.
Established network of aerospace industry contacts and professional associations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor for key aerospace clients, supporting client service and satisfaction.
Understand client business objectives, funding sources, and requirements, and align HDR services with client needs.
Build multi-level client relationships and participate in industry associations, events, and conferences.
Monitor client satisfaction, retention, revenue, account health, opportunity pipelines, and NFB performance metrics using CRM tools and analytics; address issues and identify improvements.
Work with the Aerospace Sector Director to develop and execute HDR’s aerospace market growth strategy in Missouri and Kansas and support regional growth strategy as needed.
Identify and pursue business opportunities, develop client development and area strategy plans, and champion strategic investments for the market.
Track and report business development metrics, including pursuit success, revenue growth, and client expansion.
Help define and implement marketing strategies; analyze markets, emerging trends, competition, and client needs.
Represent HDR through professional organizations, conferences, and thought leadership, and support marketing teams with targeted messaging, promotions, and events.
Champion key pursuits by leading capture planning, proposal strategy, and team coordination; oversee proposal development for compliance, technical quality, and clear communication of HDR’s value proposition.
Support follow-on business through client engagement and identification of opportunities within existing accounts.
Serve as Project Principal or Project Manager on selected aerospace projects and direct and monitor delivery against quality, financial, and schedule objectives.
Support project teams with contract development, risk management, staffing, and QA/QC activities.
Partner with production managers, business class directors, practice groups, Business Group Managers, and Project Delivery Leaders to optimize expertise and resources and manage profitability, workload balance, and utilization.
Promote lessons learned, continuous improvement, and best practices across HDR’s aerospace project portfolio.
Support staff development, including recruiting, career paths, and professional growth.
Foster an inclusive, high-performing work environment and participate actively in HDR’s employee-owned culture.