Operations Leader, Major Projects (Energy & Resources)

The Opportunity: McElhanney’s Major Projects (Energy & Resources) team has an exciting opportunity for a proven, future-focused, business-minded, and innovative leader to join the team as our next Operations Leader as a result of a planned regional management succession of our current Operations Leader to Market Sector Vice President for Major Projects (Energy & Resources). Reporting to the Regional Vice President Prairies South, the successful candidate will ideally be based out of our Calgary office or our business centers in Alberta. 

Who we are, and how we act matters to us. We know that women are under-represented in the industry, and we are committed to ensuring McElhanney recognizes the contribution women can make in leadership roles.

To fill this role, we are seeking a leader with strong business acumen, governance, decision-making, and people leadership skills and a track record of managing diverse, multi-disciplinary teams and well connected within the Energy & Resources market in Calgary and the surrounding areas. In particular, we are looking for someone who is excited by the prospect of implementing their own independent strategies for development, while at the same time enjoying the benefits of support and collaboration from a larger organization.

As the Operations Leader, you will oversee complex major projects while leading a team of consulting professionals in an established and mature market, while identifying promising new opportunities to build out and develop in terms of expanded service offerings and geographies. You will execute strategic objectives and meet Key Performance Indicators across McElhanney’s four cornerstones of People & Communities, Clients & Partners, Processes & Technology, and Financial. To accomplish this, you will be the leader in cultivating a positive work culture, have an unmatched drive for success, and be passionate about your role as a catalyst for operational excellence in the branch, in the region and in the company.

Working closely with the Regional Vice President and our Energy & Resources Market Sector Vice President, you will establish strategic direction for the Major Projects branch and will be supported by multiple Discipline Leaders (internal classification: Division Managers) to achieve operational excellence within the branch. McElhanney’s network of over 30 branches will provide opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing as you strengthen the business. The successful candidate can rely on very capable and established operational and support teams in developing a strong, cohesive, branch culture that incorporates and prioritizes our shared commitments to safety, project management excellence, and client satisfaction.

Deadline to Apply: October 7, 2024, by 9:59 pm MT

Background: McElhanney’s Major Projects branch includes a team of approximately 55 professional and technical staff supporting the development of large linear energy infrastructure projects throughout western Canada. This is a well-established branch offering multiple technical services (primarily geomatics & survey) and innovative solutions at scale to help serve industry needs. 

Active collaboration with the 30+ regional branches and multiple technical partners is a strength that allows us to respond nimbly to market demands. We actively advance the company’s growth, diversification, and technology components of the corporate strategic plan. 

Key Responsibilities: You should have a progressive proven track record, skills, and experience to execute the following responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Business Development:

• Entrepreneurial and collaborative style working with the Vice President, other Operations Leaders, Discipline Leaders and direct reports to develop and execute the annual regional strategic plan.
• Strong business acumen to translate the regional strategic plan into business objectives that aligns your team to sound operational outcomes and business results with a strong focus on people.
• Accountable for the overall achievement of shared Key Performance Indicators for the Major Projects branch and region aligned with:
  • Our people and communities
  • Our clients and partners
  • Systems and processes
  • Financial
• Expand our services, and clients through diversification. Provide effective direction and input into managing and maintaining existing and new client and partner relationships. 

Leadership & Team Management:

• Foster a strong, cohesive culture at the branch level that incorporates and prioritizes our shared commitments to employee development, safety, inclusivity, respect, integrity, project delivery excellence, and client satisfaction.
• Build lasting trusted relationships with direct reports, company colleagues, partners and clients.
• Attract, hire, train and retain strategic hires particularly for intermediate to senior levels
• Creating an inclusive and diverse work environment where you have trained, mentored, coached others to grow their careers to push you, your team and others to the next level (i.e. succession)
• Lead, support and adopt change, uncertainty and challenges in a positive fashion (i.e. technology, support systems, business processes, market, etc.)

Operational Management & Planning: 

• Contractual acumen (terms, insurance, scope, schedule, fees, risks) to lead, review and sign proposals and contracts in a broad multi-disciplinary context and support from others
• Monitor, mitigate and troubleshoot challenges (i.e. project budgets, delivery, financial resources, people, clients, or partners)
• Grow your career and leadership capability through development, mentoring and engaging work
• Collaborate with colleagues across the company for sharing resources and information needed to position ourselves to win and delver excellent work
• Involved in Industry and market activities that strategically add value to the company

Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or a related field is preferred. Professional engineering or Land Surveying designations and relevant certifications (e.g., PMP) are an asset.  
• Experience: 10-15+ years’ progressive work experience within the Energy and Resources industry most recent of which should be at an equivalent of manager level or above managing diverse, multi-disciplinary teams including financial and team performance. 

Skills & Attributes for success: 

• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent project planning, execution, and monitoring skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Proactive attitude and determination to achieve success in business.
• Understand how consulting companies operate, generate revenue, and dynamics of the industry.
• Understand business issues, adapt, and remain nimble during periods of change. 

What Can We Offer You? The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $200,000 per annum. McElhanney offers fair compensation that is commensurate with the individual’s education, experience, skills, and professional qualifications. The posted base salary/wage range is representative of the required level of qualifications and experience for the position as noted in the job posting. The salary offered will be based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:

• As a professional you may have an opportunity for share ownership at one of the most senior levels (subject to meeting eligibility criteria and approval) in an employee-owned company that is recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers (2024)
• Financial assistance with relocation if applicable
• Flexible working arrangements to meet your lifestyle
• Maternity leave top-up and parental leave top up
• Great benefits, including extended health and dental coverage, healthcare spending account, and RRSP matching, Employee and Family assistance program 

Deadline to Apply: October 7, 2024, by 9:59 pm MT

Application Instructions: Please include the following in your application:

1. An updated resume that is relevant to the position.
2. A cover letter that includes:

• • Your motivation for applying for this position, highlighting what specifically attracts you to the role.
  • Explain how your unique blend of skills and experiences would enable you to make a significant impact as both a people leader and a business leader at McElhanney.

This role is designated as a safety sensitive position and completion of a pre-employment drug & alcohol testing is required.