Director of Power System Planning – Southwest Region; Phoenix

At 1898 & Co., part of Burns & McDonnell, we help clients navigate the rapidly evolving power landscape through integrated advisory services spanning Transmission Planning & Power System Analysis, Grid Modernization & Distribution Planning, and Utility Investment Planning. Our Power System Planning team brings together technical rigor, commercial insight, and strategic thinking to support utilities, developers, and investors addressing today’s most complex power challenges.

This is a senior leadership role for Director of Power System Planning for the Southwest Region, based in Phoenix. The Director is responsible for regional strategy, people leadership, and operational oversight of Power System Planning services across the Southwest. The role emphasizes regional leadership, staff development, and client impact, rather than hands‑on project execution, and serves as a key partner to Power System Planning managing directors, business line leaders, and client engagement teams.

Provide strategic direction, managerial leadership, and operational oversight for Power System Planning services in the Southwest region, including Transmission Planning & Power System Analysis, Grid Modernization & Distribution Planning, and Utility Investment.

• Develop and execute a regional Power System Planning strategy aligned with firmwide objectives and Power System Planning business line priorities.
• Support growth initiatives by aligning regional capabilities, staffing, and expertise with market demand and client needs.
• Partner with managing directors and business line leaders to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen Power System Planning’s presence in the Southwest.
• Promote the mission, values, and culture of Burns & McDonnell and 1898 & Co., modeling strong leadership and collaboration.

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to Power System Planning consultants and analysts across multiple disciplines.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high‑performing consulting talent to support current and future regional needs.
• Conduct performance reviews, career development discussions, and regular one‑on‑one engagements with staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performance culture consistent with 1898 & Co.’s traits of tenacious problem solving, curiosity, collaboration, and grit.
• Support onboarding, training, and professional development initiatives across the region.
• Drive continuous improvement in talent development, delivery consistency, and organizational effectiveness.

• Provide oversight of staffing strategies, workload balancing, and resource planning across Power System Planning engagements in the Southwest.
• Collaborate with delivery leaders to ensure teams are appropriately staffed based on skills, experience, and development goals.
• Monitor utilization and capacity trends, proactively identifying risks and opportunities related to staffing and growth.
• Support the establishment and use of consistent delivery practices, quality standards, and operational processes across Power System Planning work.

• Serve as a senior Power System Planning leader supporting client relationships and regional engagement strategy.
• Partner with client engagement and proposal teams to support pursuits and positioning for new Power System Planning opportunities.
• Act as an escalation point for client delivery concerns as needed, focusing on resolution, communication, and long‑term client success.
• Promote cross‑collaboration with adjacent business lines to support integrated solutions and expanded client impact.

• Provide expert consulting and technical guidance across a range of services within the electric utility industry.
• Support engineering, economic, and consulting studies.
• Champion innovation and strategic thinking within technical project work.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field from an accredited program and 13 years of relevant consulting experience required.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• Excellent business acumen with proven success managing consulting engagements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly and efficiently interpret large data sets.
• Ability to uncover customer needs, develop recommendations, and deliver them persuasively.
• Expert facilitation, collaboration, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong understanding of financial concepts.
• Excellent planning and analytical skills.
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.

Location:

Phoenix, Arizona

Schedule:

Full‑time
Travel: 50% of the time

Equal Opportunity Employer.