Vice President, Civil Engineering

WSP•Portland, OR

About The Position

WSP USA is seeking a Vice President, Civil Engineering to join its Mountain Pacific Transportation team in Portland, Oregon. The role provides leadership for civil engineering within a business sector, ensuring that subject-matter expertise, technical deliverables, infrastructure projects, and programs meet or exceed industry and company standards for design, safety, and functionality. It oversees civil engineering innovation and administration, corporate compliance with applicable engineering, construction, and safety regulations, and practical direction for current and future business challenges. The Vice President leads complex civil engineering projects and discipline operations, supports business development and profitable project execution, and advances the long-term growth and work pipeline for civil engineering in the assigned area. The role also guides staff, represents the discipline to clients and public agencies, and collaborates across disciplines to provide strategic advice and solutions. Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific needs. WSP offers a flexible and agile workplace model and benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings coverage.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a closely related discipline.
At least 12 years of relevant post-education experience in engineering, civil and infrastructure design.
Engineering license required; multi-state licensure preferred.
Advanced proficiency in civil engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, standard of care, and their application to permitting and project issues.
Advanced proficiency in infrastructure design.
Strong working knowledge of civil construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, record-keeping requirements, and their business impact.
Advanced proficiency in technical engineering computations and calculations, interpreting plans and specifications, and comparing facts with applicable regulations.
Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to mid- and senior-level team or project members while adhering strictly to QA/QC.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively, persuasively, and tactfully with employees at all organizational levels.
Tactical lateral-thinking and strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize responsibilities in a high-pressure work environment.
Ability to elicit cooperation from senior management, clients, regulators, and staff across the company, including people outside formal reporting relationships.
Advanced proficiency with office automation and discipline-specific design software, technology, mathematical principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools. Examples listed include MicroStation, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, InRoads, Geopak, GeoSlope, ANSYS, STADD, HEC-RAS, and HEC-HMS.
Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
Ability to adapt quickly to change and demonstrate flexibility with schedules and hours to meet business needs.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering.
Strong experience managing the review and approval of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment.
Multi-state engineering licensure.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership, direction, expertise, and support for the civil engineering discipline and its project and work-site deliverables.
Review permit applications, engineering design plans and specifications, standby plans, engineering contracts, integrated management plans, and construction inspections for regulatory compliance and sound engineering practice.
Lead large and complex civil engineering projects, including coordinating contributors, budgets, hours and expenses, performance, subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
Pursue and develop business and oversee execution of current and potential infrastructure work in the assigned geography, particularly large projects.
Lead technical aspects of contract negotiations, presentations, and meetings.
Support long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development for civil engineering work in the assigned area, across planning, design, strategic consulting, and program and construction management.
Ensure profitable performance and successful completion of projects in the assigned area.
Assist with annual updates to business tactical action plans.
Meet with public and private entities and individuals to discuss engineering and construction issues and programs.
Develop and continuously improve engineering certifications, accreditations, and value propositions.
Conduct needs analyses and client value surveys; align discipline functions with business and project strategy and identify and address skill gaps or operational risks.
Schedule discipline meetings and provide updates and recommendations to strengthen discipline expertise and innovation in project work.
Represent and act as liaison for the engineering discipline with agencies, clients, subcontractors, industry groups, and government and community entities.
Develop proposal and project scopes, timelines, pricing, and budgets; plan, develop, and manage projects in compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and engineering practices.
Interpret and summarize data, reports, and documents to reach sound engineering and regulatory conclusions.
Provide written and verbal input to multidisciplinary teams and contribute strategic advice to clients.
Develop a client base for high-level civil engineering services, identify business development opportunities, and cross-sell WSP capabilities.
Mentor staff and support their professional growth and development.
Manage assigned staff and provide performance guidance and leadership.
Remain current in civil engineering techniques and practices.
Collaborate with professionals across disciplines to provide trusted-advisor service and future-ready client solutions.
Make responsible and ethical decisions regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and follow WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.