Copy of Head of Engineering Services

Verista•Fishers, IN

About The Position

Verista’s Head of Engineering Services owns a core service line within the company, with responsibility for developing and expanding the service line, deepening its presence with existing customers, and delivering or managing subject-matter-expert project work in pharmaceutical and biotech settings. The role focuses on Engineering Commercial Manufacturing OT Automation and works in Verista’s matrixed organization alongside client services, delivery, sales, marketing, and executive leadership to provide a strong client experience and advance the company’s mission of delivering automation and compliance solutions across the regulated IT-OT stack. The role defines the service line’s offerings and go-to-market strategy, manages its annual P&L and growth objectives, and leads a defined team of Delivery Directors. It also contributes technical expertise and leadership to client projects, including project and program management, solutioning, delivery methodologies, and the development of scalable managed services. The position carries a billable utilization target aligned with role level and portfolio size. The Head of Engineering Services supports sales and business development by assessing requirements, defining scope and contract estimates, contributing technical expertise during sales, and helping expand services across existing and new customers. The position requires regular work at client sites, regular air and ground travel, and overnight hotel stays. The posting states that project and business development demands may require significant hours beyond 40 and weekend work; average work hours are approximately 45–50 per week. The position supervises approximately 6–8 or more direct-reporting Delivery Directors and has cross-functional leadership responsibilities. Supervisory duties include performance management and reviews, input on merit increases and bonuses, career development and succession planning, and identifying and addressing training needs. The role requires signing an employment agreement and is eligible for Senior Leadership Incentive programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a technical (STEM) discipline.
15 or more years of experience in a GMP-regulated environment, with direct experience managing or leading applicable service-line projects in life sciences.
10 or more years of professional services and consulting experience.
7 or more years of professional-services business development and customer-relations experience.
Expert knowledge of FDA regulations, ISPE guidelines, and ISO standards, including GAMP5, Good Documentation Practice (GDP) in pharmaceutical environments, ASTM-E2500, ISO 14971, ISPE Applied Risk Management for C&Q, ISPE’s Science and Risk-Based Approach for facilities, systems, and equipment, and ICH 8, 9, and 10.
Holistic understanding of process systems, including work processes, optimization methods, risk management, and project management.
Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth, results-driven organization.
Project management experience, including managing numerous projects exceeding $5 million.
Prior supervisory experience managing at least 20 people and at least 3–5 direct reports.
Ability to meet, interact with, and present to customers across roles, including C-level executives, project managers, plant engineers, supervisors, and operators.
Ability to negotiate strategically with clients and employees in high-stress situations involving project and technical issues, funding, change orders, and employee performance.
Strong leadership, deep practical validation knowledge, and a track record of timely project delivery, project management, cost control, and customer satisfaction.
Ability to provide colleagues with practical, specific guidance on industry guidance and regulatory requirements.
Intermediate to expert skills with Word, Excel, and Project.
Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
Calm, collected leadership and ability to guide teams through stressful client-service projects.
Ability to support projects and business expansion at client sites on a regular basis, including regular air and ground travel and overnight stays.
Availability for average work hours of approximately 45–50 hours per week; project and business-development demands may require significant hours beyond 40 and weekend work.
Maintain average utilization on billable work, with targets defined in alignment with role level and gross-margin targets for assigned accounts and projects.
Sign an employment agreement document.

Responsibilities

Own and develop the Engineering Commercial Manufacturing OT Automation service line, including its offerings, market positioning, and go-to-market strategy.
Partner with Client Services, Delivery, Sales, Marketing, and executive leadership to define and position the service line and coordinate delivery and client experience.
Define and manage the service line’s annual P&L, revenue growth targets, margin, and EBITDA.
Co-own annual Strategic Account Management planning with Client Partners and execute plans to expand services in strategically selected accounts.
Directly manage a defined team of Delivery Directors to support service-line growth and execution.
Execute technical project work as a subject-matter expert, often as project leader and/or project or program manager.
Manage and lead day-to-day activities of assigned project staff to meet or exceed customer and company expectations.
Maintain a billable utilization target aligned with role level and portfolio size.
Own solutioning and delivery methodologies, including evolving services toward scalable managed-service offerings based on people, process, and technology.
Ensure services projects, initiatives, and processes conform to organizational and customer policies and objectives, with consistent standards.
Offer and support lead-generation activities for assigned existing customers.
Review and assess requirements and define contract scope and estimates.
Provide technical expertise and support relationship development with sales and client-services colleagues during the sales process.
Support service-line growth and strategic planning for expansion across existing and new customers, and provide input on marketing, website, and growth strategies.
Complete and review employee performance management plans and provide bi-annual reviews to direct reports.
Provide comments and review executive recommendations for employee merit increases and yearly bonuses.
Work with HR and leadership on career development and succession planning for service-line resources.
Identify training gaps and work with HR and Training to address them.
Provide cross-functional direction to employees, OEMs, contractors, or clients as needed to meet project goals and deadlines.