National Practice Lead, Highway

Michael Baker International•United States,

15h•$250,000 - $329,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Practice Lead, Highway, is a senior national leadership role responsible for the growth, technical excellence, strategic direction, and long-term success of Michael Baker International’s Highway Practice. In partnership with National Market Leaders, Operations leadership, and Vertical leaders, the NPL develops and executes growth strategies, strengthens technical capabilities, supports key client and pursuit activities, and positions the Practice to support enterprise growth objectives. The NPL leads a national team of technical experts, practice leaders, and growth-focused professionals, fostering collaboration across regions, markets, and business units. The role guides capability development, talent strategy, innovation, technical excellence, and practice performance, while supporting operational delivery through technical leadership, resource alignment, and strategic engagement on major opportunities. The position also represents the firm through industry leadership, client engagement, and national coordination. Michael Baker International provides engineering and consulting services across infrastructure sectors and has more than 100 offices nationwide. The approximate base compensation range is $250,000–$329,000, and the position is bonus eligible. Actual compensation depends on factors including education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.

Requirements

15+ years of relevant experience.
Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering or a related field required.
Professional license strongly preferred (examples listed: AICP, PE, SE, AIA, PG).

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or above.
Professional license, such as AICP, PE, SE, AIA, or PG.

Responsibilities

Lead and direct a national Practice leadership team, including Regional Practice Leaders, technical leaders, specialty practice leaders, national-level Project Managers, and growth-focused subject matter experts.
Coordinate deployment of national technical expertise and specialty resources for strategic pursuits, major programs, workshare opportunities, and critical delivery needs.
Develop and maintain short- and long-term Practice growth strategies aligned with enterprise priorities; lead organizational and cultural change to support excellence and growth.
Collaborate with Regional Practice Leads, the Design-Build Lead, other markets and practices, and operational leaders on pursuits, strategy, expertise, and cross-market opportunities.
Monitor industry trends, funding, legislation, competitors, and client initiatives, and use this information to guide strategy.
Develop business development and client engagement strategies to win projects, clients, and services nationwide, including design-build opportunities.
Establish and champion Practice-wide technical excellence strategies, standards, innovation initiatives, professional development, and knowledge sharing.
Advise and guide staff and provide industry leadership and technical best practices to clients and stakeholders.
Coach and mentor employees and identify technical resources and talent in the area of subject matter expertise.
Partner with Operations leadership to support project delivery through technical oversight, resource deployment, quality initiatives, risk mitigation, workshare coordination, and performance improvement.
Promote resource leveling to improve delivery and quality, efficiency and utilization, scalable expertise, and employee career development.
Increase the Practice’s visibility through conference and meeting presentations and participation in trade organization and conference planning committees.
Build and maintain relationships across company offices, external organizations, and potential teaming partners, including the design-build community.
Lead, manage, evaluate, budget, recruit, and build the National Practice team.
Maintain and grow the MSIS funnel for Tier 1 and other key or strategic Practice pursuits.
Identify and attract talent, interview candidates for key positions, and work with Practice leaders to reduce turnover.
Partner with Regional Practice Leads and Department Managers to mentor and guide them in client engagement, pursuit and growth strategy, and talent management.
Support Growth Market strategies through client engagement, strategic pursuits, and advancement of Practice capabilities.
Build Practice teams through talent management, organize teams, seed new service lines in new markets, and pursue opportunities nationally.
Guide and lead strategic investment decisions for the Practice companywide.
Partner across Verticals to connect opportunities and expand collaboration across the company.
Coordinate with Operations and other Practice leaders to balance investment and engagement priorities while supporting operational excellence and growth.
Grow Michael Baker International’s profile through engagement and presentations at key industry events.