Job Description:
Lead Professional of Industrial Practice
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Lead Professional- Industrial Practice to provide strong leadership within our Engineering discipline, at our Prairieville office location. This role is responsible for leading and developing teams, ensuring successful and profitable project delivery, and upholding the highest standards of quality and professional care across all project work.
The ideal candidate is a proven leader who can mentor project managers and technical staff, drive accountability, and build strong client relationships while supporting the firm’s strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership, Management & Accountability
- Provide clear direction and leadership aligned with the firm’s COMPASS framework.
- Lead, mentor, and develop associates through structured development and performance processes.
- Conduct regular team meetings and quarterly performance conversations.
- Support associate growth through coaching, recognition, and career development planning.
- Evaluate and recommend promotions and compensation adjustments.
- Ensure teams have the tools, resources, training, and support needed to succeed.
- Promote and model strong Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) leadership.
Project Delivery & Client Success
- Oversee project managers to ensure projects are delivered profitably and in accordance with firm project management best practices.
- Ensure projects meet defined scope, schedule, and budget requirements.
- Support fee development, contract review, and contract execution to ensure project success.
- Review and approve Project Management Plans (PMPs).
- Ensure timely project reporting and proactive financial management, including fee collection.
- Support and reinforce the firm’s strategic client development process.
Quality Assurance & Professional Standards
- Ensure quality assurance/quality control processes and professional standards of care are applied consistently across all project work.
Policies, Procedures & Resource Management
- Enforce firm policies and procedures within the group.
- Allocate staff and equipment effectively across projects and teams to optimize utilization and performance.
Performance Measures
- Team engagement scores
- Group project profitability
- Group utilization
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Directly supervise and mentor project managers, project professionals, technicians, assistants, and field associates.
Qualifications
Required:
- College coursework or technical training plus a minimum of five (5) years of related technical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Professional certification or licensure in area of specialization
- Active involvement in relevant professional organizations
- Participation in leadership development programs
- Strong written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills
Physical Requirements
This position may require standing, walking, sitting, using hands and arms for tools and equipment, climbing stairs, balancing, stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work is performed in both office and field environments and may involve exposure to a variety of environmental conditions.
Work Schedule & Travel
- Full-time position requiring 40+ hours per week
- Regular travel to client sites, project locations, and other office locations
- Occasional overnight and weekend commitments are required
Experience comes in different forms; many skills are transferable – and passion goes a long way. Here at TBS, we are in the business of cultivating people, and you are set up to succeed if you identify strongly with these values / behaviors: Growth Oriented; Trustworthy; Responsive; Works Hard, Smart, & Safe; Builds a Positive Team & Family Spirit; and are Enthusiastic & Energetic.
We also know that diversity of background and thought can enhance problem-solving and encourage more creative thinking, which is why we are dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team.
Our purpose is investing in people to enhance communities and that commitment has endured for over 100 years. We pride ourselves in doing this by recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse, passionate, and forward-thinking talent. T. Baker Smith is an equal opportunity employer, and we are dedicated to providing an inclusive and diverse environment for all associates.
Job Requirements:
Updated 07.21.2023
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title
Lead Professional
Accountable To
Discipline Leader
Target Ratio
Direct (billable) hours / Total hours worked: 45-65%
Position Purpose
Primarily responsible for 1) leadership, management, and accountability of direct reports, 2) overseeing successful
project delivery by project managers/teams and 3) ensuring that the appropriate standard of care (quality
assurance/quality control) is provided on all project work. The position lies within a specific discipline and has
responsibilities over either an office location or within a practice.
Accountability Chart Responsibilities
- Lead, Manage & Hold Accountable (LMA)
- Project delivery that builds client intimacy
- QA/QC & Standard of Care
- Enforce firm Policies & Procedures
- Resource Utilization
- Group Project Profitability, Engagement targets, Group Utilization Goals
Essential Functions
Lead, Manage & Hold Accountable (LMA)
- Provide clear direction using the TBS COMPASS.
- Cultivate associates using Associate Development Plan (ADP) Process.
- Consider promotions and salary adjustments.
- Provide the necessary tools: Resources, Training, Technology, People, & Time and Attention.
- Delegate and communicate effectively.
- Conduct regular and effective team meetings.
- Conducts quarterly conversations.
- Reward and recognize direct reports.
- Provide strong HSE leadership.
Project Delivery That Builds Client Intimacy
- Ensure Project Managers deliver profitable projects in accordance with TBS Project Management Best
Practices and Guidelines and TBS 5-Step Proven Process.
- Ensure Project Managers understand their part within the TBS Strategic Client Development Process.
- Assist in fee development and negotiation to result in a profitable project.
- Review and approve contracts; ensure solid contracts are executed on all projects within the group.
- Provide thorough review and approval of TBS Project Management Plans (PMPs).
- Ensure Project Managers are reviewing and updating their projects reports weekly.
- Ensure Project Managers deliver projects in accordance with scope, schedule, and budget.
- Ensure Project Managers are collecting fees in a timely manner from their clients.
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QA/QC & Standard of Care
- Ensure quality assurance/quality control and professional standard of care on all project work.
Enforce Firm Policies & Procedures
- Ensure the firm’s Policies & Procedures are implemented within the group.
Resource Utilization
- Allocate people and equipment effectively within and between groups.
Key Performance Measures
- Engagement score as per GallupQ12
- Group project profitability
- Group utilization
Firmwide Functions
- Must be 100% on the same page with the TBS COMPASS.
- Meet or exceed the bar on the TBS People Analyzer.
- Adhere to the TBS Policies and Practices and TBS Safety Best Practices and Guidelines.
- Perform duties, as assigned or as apparent, to add value to projects and exceed client expectations.
- Meet or exceed personal target utilization rate.
Supervisory/Coaching Responsibilities
Directly supervises and mentors project managers, project professionals, project technicians, project
assistants and field associates.
Physical Requirements
The associate is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to operate and maneuver, objects, tools, or
controls; reach with hands and arms; use manual dexterity to operate keyboard, calculator, and telephone; talk
and hear; climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel and lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include
close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; ability to adjust focus.
Minimum Requirements
- College course work or technical training plus five years related technical work experience, or any
equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Professional certification or licensing in work specialization.
- Actively involved in career-geared professional organizations.
- Actively participate in leadership training (i.e., ACEC Leadership Pipeline).
- Actively use effective communications skills (Written, Verbal, and Non-verbal).
Work Environment
The associate works in an office and outside, potentially exposed to a variety of environmental conditions.
Hours of Work and Travel
Position requires 40+ hours per week. Travel to visit clients, tour project sites, and other office locations on a
regular basis is required. Nights away from home, and weekend commitments to the firm, its associates and
clients are required.
