Director of Operations, Structural Forensics & Investigations (Licensed PE)
About The Position
Lerch Bates is seeking an entrepreneurial, technically accomplished Licensed Professional Engineer to lead and grow its Structural Forensics practice. The Director of Operations provides business leadership and technical direction for a growing team of forensic consultants and engineers, overseeing project delivery, team development, client relationships, operational performance, and strategic growth while remaining actively involved in forensic investigations, failure analysis, expert consulting, rehabilitation recommendations, and litigation support. The role leads complex investigations of structural failures and building performance issues; directs field investigations and root-cause evaluations; reviews designs, construction documents, testing results, and findings; and develops technical conclusions, repair recommendations, and rehabilitation strategies. It also serves clients and industry stakeholders, supports business development and practice growth, oversees project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, quality, and financial performance, and mentors and develops technical professionals. The position is based in The Colony, Texas, with a hybrid work arrangement. Work takes place in office, remote, client, and field environments, with regular travel to project sites. Lerch Bates is a global technical consulting firm focused on building performance and is 100% employee-owned through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- 10 or more years of experience in forensic engineering, structural engineering, failure analysis, rehabilitation consulting, building investigations, or related disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing client relationships.
- Strong knowledge of structural systems, building construction, engineering principles, and construction practices.
- Experience conducting structural investigations and condition assessments, performing failure analyses, and developing repair recommendations.
- Proven leadership experience with responsibility for team development, project delivery, business operations, and strategic planning.
- Strong financial, project management, and operational planning capabilities.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with clients, colleagues, and industry stakeholders.
Nice To Haves
- Structural Engineer (SE) license.
- Experience serving as an expert witness or supporting litigation matters.
- Experience with insurance investigations, property loss assessments, and construction defect claims.
- Experience mentoring and developing technical professionals.
- Established industry relationships and business development experience.
- Additional professional certifications relevant to forensic engineering or structural consulting.
Responsibilities
- Lead complex forensic investigations involving structural failures, construction defects, building movement, settlement, water intrusion impacts, storm damage, material deterioration, and other building performance issues.
- Direct field investigations, condition assessments, failure analyses, and root-cause evaluations.
- Review structural designs, construction documents, field observations, testing results, and investigative findings.
- Develop technical conclusions, repair recommendations, rehabilitation strategies, and corrective action plans.
- Serve as a senior technical advisor on high-profile and technically complex projects, and review forensic reports, engineering analyses, and expert opinions.
- Support litigation matters, insurance investigations, dispute resolution efforts, and expert witness services when required.
- Remain actively involved in project execution and technical consulting.
- Build and maintain client relationships; identify opportunities to expand services; and participate in networking, business development, industry involvement, client engagement, presentations, interviews, and proposal pursuits.
- Help shape the strategic direction and growth of the Structural Forensics practice, monitor market and regulatory developments, and participate in annual business planning and operational planning.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability, and client service.
- Oversee project execution, scope, schedule, budget, staffing, resource allocation, workload coordination, quality, and client satisfaction across forensic consulting engagements.
- Monitor project financial performance, forecasting, backlog management, invoicing, revenue tracking, utilization, and performance objectives.
- Support proposal development through technical expertise, project planning, and staffing recommendations.
- Lead, mentor, and develop forensic engineers, consultants, and technical professionals; provide coaching and career development; and support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and succession planning.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary based on experience, qualifications, and location.
- Annual performance-based bonus opportunity, with target incentive levels varying by position and based on individual and company performance.
- Company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) for eligible employees.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid time off starting at 17 days annually.
- 10 paid holidays.
- 401(k) with 4% employer match.
- Paid parental leave.
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement.
- Employee assistance and wellness programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
