Assistant Vice President, Geotechnical Engineering Manager

WSP•Louisville, KY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

WSP is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Geotechnical Engineering Manager for their Louisville, Kentucky office. This leadership role requires a blend of deep technical expertise, people leadership, business development, and operational management experience. The successful candidate will be instrumental in expanding WSP's geotechnical practice, developing teams, nurturing client relationships, and delivering innovative infrastructure solutions. This position involves strategic input, driving operational excellence, and fostering a collaborative and technically excellent culture. The role provides subject matter expertise, technical leadership, and strategic guidance for a variety of due diligence, investigation, remediation, design, and construction projects for both public and private clients. Responsibilities span research, design, concept development, planning, and construction support for diverse infrastructure types. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and stakeholders is key to delivering resilient, sustainable, safe, and high-quality infrastructure solutions. The role also involves mentoring professionals, leading business growth, and contributing to the development of WSP's geotechnical practice.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering with a focus in Geotechnical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
10+ years of relevant post-education experience in geotechnical engineering and design.
Professional Engineer (PE) license required; multi-state registration preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in geotechnical engineering principles, practices, design, construction, permitting, and project delivery.
Strong experience supporting infrastructure planning, design, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and construction management projects.
Thorough knowledge of applicable building codes, construction regulations, permitting requirements, and compliance practices.
Advanced technical proficiency in engineering calculations, geotechnical analyses, design development, and interpretation of engineering plans and specifications.
Experience planning and conducting field investigations, inspections, and site assessments related to civil and geotechnical engineering projects.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information to diverse audiences.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills with demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams, managing employee performance, and effectively engaging clients, regulators, project managers, and executive stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing project portfolios, including staff development, performance coaching, resource planning, succession planning, and maintaining strict adherence to QA/QC standards.
Proven experience managing business operations, project financials, utilization, forecasting, and resource planning within a consulting engineering environment.
Demonstrated success in business development, client account management, proposal development, and revenue growth.
Experience recruiting, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing technical teams.
Demonstrated ability to influence strategic decision-making and collaborate effectively with senior leadership to achieve business objectives.
Experience preparing and reviewing highly technical reports, calculations, specifications, and engineering deliverables.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
Demonstrated success coordinating subcontractors, project teams, and stakeholders to safely and efficiently meet project objectives.
Proven commitment to workplace safety and adherence to WSP health and safety requirements.
Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and adapt effectively within a fast-paced environment.
Occasional travel may be required based on project and client needs.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Engineering.
40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred.
Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and industry-related software including AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcGIS, GeoStudio/GeoSlope, ANSYS, STAAD, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, MicroStation, InRoads, and Geopak.

Responsibilities

Provide oversight with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from physical work sites, soil, water, sludge, and rock samples, surveys, blueprints, GIS data, subsurface utility information, maps, hydrologic analyses, geotechnical data, and other sources for project development, design, and construction.
Apply advanced geotechnical engineering techniques and processes to support complex infrastructure projects through concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operations.
Perform professional geotechnical engineering work and lead complex investigations and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, including subsurface investigations, foundation engineering, settlement analysis, soil erosion, lateral earth pressures, geological hazards, groundwater conditions, and slope stability assessments.
Develop construction plans, specifications, cost estimates, construction safety plans, and phasing plans while coordinating with project owners, internal disciplines, subconsultants, and clients.
Lead projects from planning through construction, including grading, drainage, foundation systems, retaining structures, embankments, and other geotechnical elements supported by soil and rock mechanics.
Support the advancement and implementation of innovative engineering approaches, monitoring technologies, modeling techniques, and future-ready design solutions that enhance infrastructure performance and resilience.
Lead and oversee a portfolio of geotechnical projects, including project planning, financial performance, budget management, resource allocation, staffing, schedule development, risk mitigation, and quality assurance to achieve operational and business objectives.
Review permit applications, design plans, specifications, engineering contracts, and construction activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and sound engineering practices.
Serve as a trusted advisor to public and private clients by providing technical expertise and solutions to complex engineering and construction challenges.
Prepare and oversee technical reports, studies, presentations, and recommendations, clearly communicating findings and solutions to technical and non-technical audiences.
Drive business development initiatives, cultivate strategic client relationships, lead pursuits and proposal efforts, negotiate contracts, and identify opportunities for revenue growth and market expansion across the region.
Lead, mentor, and develop geotechnical engineering staff through coaching, performance management, succession planning, technical development, and career growth initiatives while fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous learning.
Lead recruiting, hiring, onboarding, retention, and workforce planning activities to support the continued growth and success of the geotechnical practice.
Provide leadership in workload forecasting, resource management, and utilization planning to ensure efficient project delivery and employee engagement.
Partner with regional and national leadership to establish strategic goals, operational priorities, technical standards, and growth initiatives aligned with WSP's business objectives.
Champion employee engagement, safety culture, accountability, and professional development while promoting WSP's values and commitment to technical excellence.
Serve as a senior technical and business advisor, supporting complex project decisions, risk management strategies, and executive-level client engagements.
Collaborate with engineers, planners, environmental professionals, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded projects.
Stay current with emerging geotechnical engineering practices, technologies, and industry trends.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company resources and conduct while adhering to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.