Vice President - General Manager
EFL Associates
Location: Kansas City, MO
Description:

Our client, Burns & McDonnell, was founded in 1898.  The organization, an ESOP, functions as a diversified design, engineering, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm offering civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, chemical, environmental, and geo-technical engineering; architecture; fire protection; cost estimating; value engineering; planning; and construction management services. With more than 2,000 employee-owners and offices worldwide, Burns & McDonnell has long been recognized as one of the most respected firms of its type.  It serves such wide-ranging markets as: power generation, transmission and distribution, rate studies, air pollution control, water supply and waste-water, aviation, environmental, process and industrial, and civil infrastructure. To learn more about the organization, its history, and its project successes, please refer to the company’s Web site:  www.burnsmcd.com.

 

Geographically, Burns & McDonnell’s World Headquarters is located in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area, ranked by several national publications as one of the best places to live and work in the United States. Relevant websites that provide meaningful information about the region are as follows:

 

Ø       Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce                  www.kcchamber.com

Ø       City of Kansas City, MO                                               www.kcmo.org

Ø       Johnson County, KS                                                      www.jocoks.com

Ø       Kansas City Star Newspaper                                         www.kansascity.com/

Ø       Kansas City Business Journal                                        www.bizjournals.com

 

PREFACE

 

Coming off of the most robust results in its 107-year history, Burns & McDonnell recently announced that it is creating an entirely new business unit – the firm’s 10th – to offer engineering, architectural and construction management services to the public health industry.  This decision resulted from an extensive 18 month corporate development process that identified this niche market as one with unparalleled prospects for expansion and growth for the future.  Among the facilities the new group will design and build are laboratories, clean rooms, hospitals, research facilities, retirement communities and pharmaceutical process plants.

 

According to Burns & McDonnell senior executives, the Public Health Group is expected to comprise more than 100 people within 36 months. The first priority will be to select a leader for the practice by conducting a nationwide search. The firm desires someone who will make Burns & McDonnell a recognized design and construction leader in the public health field.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Vice President – General Manager will report to the President and CEO along with the Board of Directors.  S/he will serve alongside 15 peers who lead various other business units and specialty practices.  Primary responsibilities for the subject position will consist of supplying leadership to launch the new business unit. In addition to generally assimilating into the company’s infrastructure, the successful candidate will focus upon several immediate activities:

 

Ø      Identifying, assessing, selecting, and retaining a high quality team that is knowledgeable in the field of public health facility design and construction;  

Ø      Creating and executing a holistic business development effort across the country;

Ø      Fostering an environment to produce long lasting relationships with existing and prospective clientele; and 

Ø      Building an organization that is known as an “employer of choice” in the marketplaces it serves.

 

As for long-term objectives, the Vice President – General Manager will be viewed as the principal executive to design and execute a strategic plan that will establish a thriving and profitable business enterprise under a full profit and loss accountability format. Concurrently, this executive will be expected to accomplish these goals and objectives in a manner that will philosophically reflect the ideals and mission of the parent organization while continuously taking the necessary steps to insure uncompromising quality and operational efficiency. 

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

 

·        Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering (Civil or ME), or construction science is required.

·        An MBA or graduate degree will be helpful.

·        15 years of experience in the design and/or construction of public health facilities is preferred.

·        Should possess a demonstrated track record in effectively managing a start up with the potential to oversee a much larger organization in the future.

·        Exceptional recruitment, management and supervisory background is required in leading an organization through a rapid ramp up phase. Experience should include a documented history of fostering a pro-active employee relations’ environment combined with the ability to attract quality personnel and motivate people to achieve success.

·        The ideal prospect will wear multiple hats: (1) operational leadership over all project management activities, (2) marketing and business development savvy to assure dynamic growth, and (3) financial oversight to properly manage the profitability of the organization. Consequently, the candidate must be a hybrid as it relates to appropriate skills and abilities (e.g., background and experience is required to be broad based rather than narrowly focused).

·        A history of “active” community involvement is highly favored, an attribute that will positively differentiate candidates.

 

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

·        Excellent leadership abilities are critical for success.

·        Unquenched ambition and competitiveness to be successful and to lead a successful organization.

·        Must exude an “entrepreneurial spirit” to be able to build a business enterprise in an effective and efficient manner.

·        An honest, stable person with high professional standards and ethics - a person of substance.

·        A team player, one who fosters trust among staff members and who promotes integrity within the organization and customer loyalty among clients.

·        Must embody a strong business acumen, utilizing exceptional analytical skills when necessary but relying on common sense as well.

·        A results-oriented, “make things happen” individual with a corresponding track record of success.

·        Clear thinker with critical reasoning abilities; able to obtain information, evaluate alternatives, and execute agreed to decisions.

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

 

COMPENSATION

 

Compensation will be market-based corresponding to the experience level, credentials and personal characteristics of the candidate. The company also offers a meritocracy-oriented bonus incentive program based upon realization of personal and corporate objectives that has, on many occasions, exceeded 100% of base salary. Additional benefits consist of a 401(k) plan with matching feature, health benefits, a car allowance, and immediate participation in the company’s highly attractive ESOP plan. Relocation expenses are reimbursable and will be tailored to the individual needs of the candidate and to the mutual benefit to the company.

 

Our client and EFL Associates firmly support the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental handicap, disabled veteran, or veteran of the Vietnam era and any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal, state or local law.

Contact:

Web
Kristen Faust
Email

Job Listings
Job Broadcast
Job Notifications

Would you like information like this delivered to your email inbox? Subscribe to Tradeline Updates to keep abreast of the latest conference developments, industry news, best practices and more!