Director of SUE - Mid Atlantic

SAM, LLC•Gainesville, VA

About The Position

The Director of Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) oversees the operations, performance, and strategic growth of the SUE department across the Mid-Atlantic region (VA, MD, DE, DC, PA, WV, NJ). This role provides leadership to multidisciplinary SUE teams, ensuring the delivery of high-quality utility engineering services, consistent safety practices, and efficient project execution. The Director of SUE drives operational excellence, staff development, client satisfaction, and market expansion while aligning departmental goals with overall company strategy. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and demonstrates strong leadership, technical expertise in SUE practices, and the ability to inspire and guide teams toward operational and strategic success.

Requirements

Previous relavant industry experience
Strong knowledge of SUE principles, methods, technologies, and industry standards
Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Demonstrated success in managing teams, client relationships, and business development with a proven track record in leadership and project management

Nice To Haves

Professional Surveyor or Engineer License is preferred

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day operations of the SUE department, ensuring efficient use of personnel, equipment, and resources
Establish staffing plans, workflows, and utilization strategies to support project delivery and growth
Develop and implement standardized procedures to improve efficiency, consistency, and quality
Oversee project scopes, budgets, schedules, safety plans, and QA/QC processes
Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and client requirements
Provide technical oversight and guidance on SUE services including QL-A, QL-B, utility designation, vacuum excavation, GPR, and survey integration
Monitor key performance metrics to ensure productivity, profitability, and risk mitigation
Support complex or high-profile projects with technical review and problem resolution
Ensure adherence to industry best practices and evolving SUE standards
Build and maintain strong client relationships to drive satisfaction and repeat business
Partner with executive and business development teams to identify and pursue new SUE opportunities
Support proposal development, scope definition, pricing strategies, and client presentations
Represent the company at client meetings, industry events, conferences, and trade shows
Recruit, mentor, and develop SUE leadership, project managers, and technical staff
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and safety-focused team culture
Support career development, training initiatives, and succession planning
Align staffing resources with current workloads and future growth initiatives
Align SUE department goals with company-wide strategies and regional growth plans
Collaborate with Survey, GIS, BIM/LiDAR, and other service lines to deliver integrated solutions
Identify opportunities to optimize workflows, technology, and resource allocation
Contribute to long-term strategic planning and expansion of SUE services across multiple markets

Benefits

Health and Wellness Benefits: BlueCross BlueShield health insurance coverage begins the month after your hire date, Free Vision + Dental plans for employees, company-paid premiums for Long-term disability/Life Insurance (with HSA + FSA plans), SAM Cares program focused on holistic well-being
Financial Benefits: Employee Referral Rewards Program of $1K, $2,500 or $5K, Access to Ramsey Smart Dollar to support financial goals and retire with confidence, Fidelity retirement plans with a 5% company match, tuition reimbursement, optional cellphone stipend
Work-Life Balance: Paid time off including vacation/sick/holidays, parental leave to support families
Professional Development: Customized career development plan for licensing and certifications, Project Manager Business Academy, CAD Training Program, Individual Development Plans/Career Check-Ins, SAM WINS - our initiative for women-focused leadership and development, Milestone Anniversary Recognition, SAMbassador mentorship program
Perks and Discounts: Access to “Perks at Work” for discounts on wellness + travel + leisure and everyday purchases, company-sponsored events, free office snacks
Culture and Awards/Achievements: SAM Named 2023 Top Workplace USA for Second Consecutive Year; 2023 SAM Ranks No. 88 on ENR Top 500 Design Firms

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