Blue Cypress is seeking a Utility Management Services (UMS) Director to oversee our company’s utility management consulting services group. This position will work closely with our existing UMS staff in Atlanta, Seattle, and Cincinnati, seeking to expand work with current clients, win work with new clients, expand our services, and facilitate career development of staff. As an integral part of our business development and technical team, the UMS Director will oversee UMS staff, client projects, develop and maintain client relationships, and oversee business development activities. The ideal candidate has a minimum of 20 years of increasing responsibility and experience primarily as a utility management and/or engineering consultant at an A&E firm; public sector experience is also valued. The successful candidate will have a strong professional network within either the Atlanta or Seattle metro area and a technical focus on water, wastewater, and/or stormwater systems. This candidate must have a successful track record of leadership, developing and maintaining client relationships, managing complex projects, delivering projects on time and on budget, leading business development activities, and managing a team. They should thrive in a fast-paced environment and exemplify Blue Cypress’s values: Collaboration, Strategic Development, and Improvement-Oriented Growth.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Necessary accommodations will be provided in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and state or local law.
The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to list ALL responsibilities or qualifications of the job.
Responsibilities include:
Provide specialized management consulting services in areas that may include: strategic planning, infrastructure management/asset management, operational optimization/lean processes, regulatory support, maintenance management, capital planning/forecasting, system planning, technology selection/on-boarding, data management/analytics/visualization, etc. More detailed related duties may include:
Plan, design, and implement operations and maintenance optimization and capital planning and renewal strategies for water, wastewater, and/or stormwater for utilities.
Design and oversee analyses on large infrastructure datasets, such as GIS, computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), customer information systems, condition assessment/inspection databases, capacity assessment/hydraulic modeling, etc.
Perform services on-site as necessary to support client engagement
Ensure project managers in the department successfully deliver projects on time and on budget by staying informed on projects, monitoring progress, and providing support to mitigate risk.
Perform quality control and quality assurance reviews of deliverables in accordance with Blue Cypress policy, including project management reviews
Maintain and grow client relationships and assess client needs with the goal of delivering tailored, cost effective, solutions. Oversee business development activities such as client engagement, proposal writing, and presentations
Be accountable for UMS-related operations metrics such as bookings and revenue goals, utilization, workload management and resource allocation, accuracy of timesheets and expense reports, and other metrics as assigned
Work in a fast-paced environment with oversight from the Owner. Take direction from and proactively communicate to multiple internal stakeholders including the COO and Marketing & Business Development Manager
Lead internal strategic business planning for the UMS group and lead/direct internal strategic initiatives
Develop business development strategies in collaboration with the Marketing & Business Development Manager and the Regional Directors
Mentor early-, mid-, and senior-career staff including
Giving timely, constructive feedback
Being responsible for professional development planning
Embody, maintain and promote Blue Cypress culture
Implement and promote Blue Cypress policies, processes, and procedures.
Oversee UMS internal operations
Periodic travel required
Perform other related duties as necessary or assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Minimum of 20 years of experience primarily as an engineering consultant in an Atlanta or Seattle A/E firm; public sector experience also valued. Focus on water, wastewater or stormwater systems
Advanced proficiency in utility management and asset management consulting services
Demonstrated positive personal brand developed with partners and clients identified by being a go-to resource
Demonstrated strong people management skills with ability to strengthen and build team dynamics
Ability to receive and act upon constructive feedback
Demonstrated strong project management skills with ability to effectively manage collaborative teams with concurrent projects and deadlines
Established network of contacts in utility field within the Southeastern or Pacific Northwest regions, particularly Atlanta- or Seattle-metro, including local engineering firms and utility clients
Proven ability to establish and grow client base
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Enthusiasm, professionalism, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills
Outstanding critical thinking skills
Must be detail-oriented and able to prioritize, multitask, and organize complex projects
Strong interest in local government and public agency operations and management, utility management, and asset management consulting services
Ability to periodically travel to other Blue Cypress locations as well as utilities across the region or country
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in engineering, public administration, business administration, environmental science, or other technical graduate science degree
Licensed professional engineer (PE) in the State of Georgia or Washington
Experience in environmental regulatory space
Certification in Asset Management
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Experience or interest in growing into airport, transit, transportation, or other physical infrastructure intensive sectors
Required software proficiencies include:
Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote, Sharepoint)
Preferred software proficiencies include:
Microsoft specialized applications (Access, Power Query, PowerPivot, Visio, Project)
Proficient in creating pivot tables, pivot charts, writing formulas (e.g., performing v-lookups) within Microsoft Excel
Writing queries and joining tables within Microsoft Access or similar SQL environment
Esri ArcGIS ArcMap and/or Pro and various extensions such as Spatial Analyst
Esri Apps including Workforce, Survey123, Collector, etc.
Understanding of industry software such as Trimble Cityworks, Central Square’s Lucity, Infor/Hansen, IBM Maximo, InfoAsset Planner, hydraulic and hydrological modeling, CCTV, FOG, Fleet, etc.
Understanding of data warehouse and business intelligence tools such as Tableau, Qlik, Power BI, etc.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position will include supervision of personnel.
Travel:
There is potential travel up to 50%, consisting primarily of travel within the local Metropolitan Area (e.g. driving to client sites, attending meetings/conferences, etc.) with some travel to other Blue Cypress locations and to out of state clients.
Work Authorization
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
This is a hybrid position (in office/remote). We offer a telecommute option to work once a week from the office, with a minimum of 6 times per month at the office, and the remainder of the time to work from home. If desired, employees may work up to every day in the office instead of at home. During onboarding, new hires may be required to work more frequently in-person at the office. While in the office, the employee will normally work in a temperature-controlled office environment, with frequent exposure to electronic office equipment. Smoking and vaping shall be prohibited in all enclosed areas within the workplace.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Company Profile
Blue Cypress Consulting is a vibrant and growing firm based in Decatur, GA, with a growing office in Seattle, WA. Formed in 2013, the firm provides clients with best-in-class infrastructure management and community planning consulting services. Our core values are Collaboration, Strategic Development, and Improvement-Oriented Growth. Our clients appreciate our responsiveness; a focus on innovation; offering honest, respectful, and well-thought-through advice; and high-end analytical services. We strive to stay sharp, monitor and set trends, and think outside the box to offer fresh ideas to our clients. We sweat the details, while keeping our eye on the strategic horizon. Above all, collaboration, quality and integrity are the touchstones of Blue Cypress culture.
Employee Development – Our Philosophy
We believe in helping our employees align their energy with their passion. We believe in setting our employees up for success by providing a structure to develop their careers. We believe in mentorship that nurtures passion and challenges the intellect. We embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and are seeking a candidate with the same passion for making our company ...their own and changing the world. We support getting involved in community and trade organizations, attending career related training opportunities, and attending conferences to present and to learn.
Benefits of working with us
Blue Cypress Consulting won an Atlanta Business Chronicle Best Place to Work award in 2021 after being nominated by our employees. Our commitment to our team members and the company culture is a top priority. At Blue Cypress Consulting, we offer flexible work arrangements/schedules and strive to promote work/life balance. We offer competitive paid time off based on industry experience (not company tenure), a retirement account matching program, and comprehensive healthcare plans.
The Ministry of Culture (MOC) at Blue Cypress is an employee-driven, management-supported effort that provides a place to guide company culture, promote team building, and create a positive work environment that makes employees feel valued and appreciated. The MOC currently implements the following four initiatives:
•Team Building
•Community
•Involvement Enrichment
•Wellness & Environmental
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement:
Blue Cypress Consulting LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.