Trilon is a holding company that buys and builds market-leading engineering services companies organized through different platform end markets and geographies. Trilon Partner Business Unit VPs are responsible for the overall outcome of their respective business unit by driving internal collaboration, hiring / mentoring / retaining all-star leaders, and owning organic growth – all in partnership with the other Partner Business Units, Partner President and the Platform Team.
The Business Unit VP is responsible for the financial performance, strategic direction, and operational execution of the business unit. The business unit leader drives growth, ensures technical excellence, and develops talent within their business unit while also working collaboratively within their broader Platform Partner and Platform to grow backlog, revenue, EBITDA, and other key financial metrics. Additionally, this key role is responsible for creating and sustaining Trilon’s People First culture and is responsible for hiring, organizational health, employee development, and other key talent related metrics. The Business Unit VP is a key member of the senior leadership team and will play a pivotal role in scaling the firm through sound management of people, projects, and processes.
What’s in it for you?
We offer an exciting and engaging work environment where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. At Fehr Graham, we don’t just manage projects – we bring them to life! This position will put you in the driver’s seat to steer our transportation projects to success. If you have a passion for transforming concepts into tangible achievements and hope to accelerate your career, we want you on our team.
Where you’ll work
The position is based in any of our 12 offices in Illinois, Iowa or Wisconsin. At Fehr Graham, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized attention and building trust with our clients. We believe in the power of skilled professionals who provide exceptional service. We also believe in work-life balance, and that includes injecting a healthy dose of fun into everything we do. It’s even part of our Core Values! We celebrate milestones and enjoy friendly team-building activities and office outings after work. A happy and engaged work team is a successful one. Each of our offices brings an environment filled with positive energy and enthusiasm. We encourage our teams to connect on multiple levels and support each other’s personal and professional growth.
What you’ll get
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally at our progressive firm, which started in 1973. Our people-first organization is focused on giving our employees the opportunity for growth. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:
- Medical/dental/vision
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401K Retirement Plan
- Profit-sharing bonus plan
- Paid time off
- An awesome work environment.
Learn more about Fehr Graham’s people, culture and projects on our website.
Strategic Leadership: understand and lead in alignment with the vision of the Platform Partner.
- Along with Partner President, set direction of business unit through development, execution and leadership of a 3-year One-Page Plan.
- Enlist and align Business Unit team in strategic, operational, people, and financial targets for the Platform Partner.
- Actively lead and grow the Business Unit while collaborating with and supporting other Business Units, the [Platform Partner] and the [Platform].
- Ensures projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards
- Optimizes utilization and billability across technical teams
- Drive integration and actionable growth plans for Add-On M&A opportunities that reside within their Business Unit
- Leverages extraordinary communication skills and executive presence to align, motivate, and inform talent throughout the business unit.
Fiscal Management: ensure the business exceeds or meets annual and quarterly financial targets.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of relevant financial metrics and KPIs with an emphasis on achieving Net Service Revenue and EBITDA growth targets.
- Drive a culture of strong fiscal and business acumen that empowers the team to seek continuous improvement in core smart metrics of book-to-burn, revenue factor, overhead rate and net DSO.
- Play an active role in the annual budgeting process.
- Directly supervise and evaluate Business Unit staff and the financial and operational performance of projects within their business unit.
- Own financial and key non-financial performance areas such as safety, client engagement, staff development and retention, and cross-business collaboration.
- Maintain ~30-50% UTE levels primarily through project reviews and / or the management of larger projects
Business Development: maintain clear alignment with the strategic direction of the Platform Partner in pursuit of strategic clients, wallet share expansion, application of technology, and cross-selling.
- Prioritize business development toward markets, clients and projects that present greatest potential for sustainable growth in revenue, earnings and talent for the Business Unit and Platform Partner.
- Challenge and focus business development professionals to pursue larger opportunities that reflect the size and collective strength of all of Trilon (without diluting the core and highly profitable repeat smaller projects for clients).
- Drive long-term organic growth in backlog, revenue, and earnings.
- Bring strong community advocacy for sustainable infrastructure development and ensure the team is active in client engagement, industry participation, and thought leadership.
Company and Culture Champion: maintain high engagement and eNPS scores across the Business Unit.
- Build followership and create a positive culture in the Business Unit by listening to employees and supporting an environment of belonging and equity.
- Actively engaged with the Platform Partner President and management team to establish and achieve key people metrics such as headcount growth, eNPS/employee engagement, development & acceleration of careers, and best in class employee retention.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and consistently promote cross-functional work in partnership with the Trilon family of firms
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Bachelor’s degree required in a technical discipline (Engineering, Science, Planning, Landscape Architecture).
- Extensive professional experience including at least 10 years leading an engineering or science- based organization that offers diverse services (environmental, facilities, transportation, water, etc.); or an operational or business development unit within such an organization is required.
- Demonstrated track record of business success based on recognized industry metrics.
- Excellent managerial and financial skills and the ability to take ownership over business unit while leading with a People First mindset.
- Superlative communication skills, especially the ability to communicate as a leader with internal and external stakeholders, political leaders, regulators, and the media.
- Highly developed strategic thinking, financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills; financially disciplined and metrics driven.
- Demonstrated history of successfully managing a P&L, leading a division, and/or multiple large projects and programs. and understand the levers for profitable growth.
- Uses data plus operational and financial KPIs to inform decision-making.
- Coachable, low-ego, and receptive to feedback.
- High level of self-awareness.
Fehr Graham is a premier provider of engineering, environmental and funding solutions for commercial, industrial, institutional and government clients with Midwest office locations in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. For more information, visit fehrgraham.com.
