Area Leader - Northwest - Forensic Architecture & Engineering - J.S. Held LLC

The Company

Are you looking to join an organization that is growing and dynamic? What about a high-energy, collaborative environment that rewards hard work?

J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets.

The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.

J.S. Held is a leading multidisciplinary consulting firm and we are seeking a senior-level Civil/Structural Engineer (PE or SE) to provide technical and operational leadership within our Forensic Architecture and Engineering (FA&E) practice group.  FA&E consists of certified professionals including professional civil/structural and geotechnical engineers, registered architects, code experts, and geologists. This senior leader will develop and lead a local team of professionals who support our clients throughout the U.S.  

This position is focused on providing operational management and technical guidance to the team of local FA&E professionals regarding project management, inspection methodology, client interaction, and deliverable production. Regular monitoring and auditing of the established guidelines will be necessary to ensure compliance and uniformity throughout the division. This senior leader will be continuously looking to ways for improving protocols and standards to provide our clients with an exceptional experience.  In addition to the technical and operational leadership, the Area Lead will report to a Regional Lead on a day-to-day operational basis.  This senior leader will delegate incoming jobs to their team members and provide daily guidance and direction to the team with a focus on ensuring their team is meeting utilization and billing expectations. The leader will be responsible for the budget and P&L for their Area. At mid-year and year-end, this lead will be responsible for reviews, promotions, and compensation adjustments.

Finally, this position will be tasked with leading and helping to coordinate the performing of forensic investigations, providing consultation and expert witness services, preparing and delivering technical papers; and providing mentoring to other FA&E professionals. Our areas of practice include residential, commercial, and industrial buildings’ roofing, fenestration, and building envelopes; marine and inland structural systems; hazard and resulting damage assessments; design and construction defect evaluation; and premise liability evaluations. Assignments will potentially require some travel. Active involvement in professional associations and societies is encouraged and supported.

Job Responsibilities:

This candidate will oversee a local team of global forensic experts and engineers.

• Monitors team performance and metrics including utilization, job status, billable hours, and job count
• Delegates incoming assignments after careful review of which expert’s skillset best fits the job being assigned
• Manages team quality and execution by providing technical and managerial guidance to the Area experts regarding inspection methodology, client interaction, and deliverable production
• Regularly monitors and audits the established guidelines to ensure compliance and uniformity throughout the division
• Continuously offers new avenues for improving protocols and standards to provide our clients with an exceptional experience
• Provides daily operational support to the FA&E Forensics Regional Leads who will report directly to this senior leader
• Takes responsibility for P&L performance and compensation reviews
• Meets with and presents to peers and clients
• Conducts research and develops technical topics for publication
• Conducts field observations, testing and data collection
• Prepares reports detailing observations made, tests conducted, and results obtained

We would like to talk with you if you have:

• Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited school required (Master’s degree preferred but not mandatory)
• PE or SE license (required)
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills including experience working with clients directly
• Strong and proven leadership and business skills
• 10 years minimum of engineering experience, including 5 years minimum of forensic experience
• Expert witness experience
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Computer skills (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• A desire to learn, excel and grow with us and within the profession

Physical and Mental Job Qualifications:

• Travel is required as necessary.

Some of the Benefits We Have Include 

J.S. Held understands all our employees are people and sometimes life needs flexibility. We work to always provide an environment that best supports and suits our team’s needs. 

• Our flexible work environment allows employees to work remotely, when needed 

• Flexible Time Off policy 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

• 401k Match 

• Commuter Benefit 

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $160,000 - $220,000.  Any offered salary range is based on a wide array of factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, training, location, scope of role, management responsibility, etc. 

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read the J.S. Held Online Privacy Notice and hereby freely and unambiguously give informed consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of your personal information as required and described therein. California residents can click here to learn more about the personal information we collect and here to learn about additional privacy rights that may be available.  

Please explore what we’re all about at www.jsheld.com. 

EEO and Job Accommodations 

We embrace diversity and our commitment to building a team and environment that fosters professional and personal enrichment is unwavering. We are greater when we are equal! 

J.S. Held is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request for a reasonable accommodation, please email jobs@jsheld.com and include “Applicant Accommodation” within the subject line with your request and contact information. 

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