Distribution Engineering Manager

At Stantec, we are shaping the future of Power Delivery. Our Energy & Resources team partners with leading utilities and energy providers to modernize the electric grid, strengthen reliability and resilience, and advance the transition to a cleaner energy future. Here, ambitious leaders have the opportunity to influence an essential industry, collaborate across a global organization, and build a career defined by performing meaningful work with lasting impact. From complex distribution programs and strategic grid modernization initiatives to extra-high-voltage transmission lines, substations, system studies, protection and controls, HVDC, and renewable energy integration, you will work alongside highly regarded professionals delivering solutions at the forefront of the industry. Our flexible, collaborative environment is designed to empower exceptional people to grow, lead and do the most consequential work of their careers. Your Opportunity Stantec is seeking a US Distribution Engineering Manager to lead, advance, and coordinate our Distribution Line engineering and design practice across the United States. This is a highly visible national leadership opportunity for an influential industry professional who is motivated to shape strategy, elevate technical and delivery excellence, and build an integrated practice positioned for growth. Reporting to the Power Delivery Operations Manager, you will provide national leadership for Stantec’s U.S. Distribution Line professionals and oversee the alignment of people, project delivery, and program support across the country. You will help create an integrated coast-to-coast practice around a shared vision deploying the right expertise wherever it creates the greatest value for our clients, our projects and our people. This role extends well beyond tradition. You will set the direction for a national practice and bring together technical quality, strategic resource planning, exceptional project delivery, executive support, client engagement, and business growth. Drawing on your knowledge of electric utility distribution systems, capital programs, and emerging priorities including grid modernization, electrification, system resiliency, undergrounding, and distributed energy resources, you will define where the practice goes next. As a senior representative of the practice, you will cultivate trusted industry relationships, position Stantec for the market’s most strategic opportunities, and support the pursuit and successful delivery of major distribution programs. You will work closely with Stantec leadership including operations leaders, sector leaders, account managers, project managers, and technical leaders to align investment, resources, delivery, and growth priorities across the United States while developing the people and capabilities that will define the future of the practice. Your Key Responsibilities - Lead the U.S. Distribution practice as a single integrated national team, fostering collaboration and resource sharing across regions and offices. - Provide leadership, coaching, and performance oversight to Distribution line engineering managers and their teams. - Develop and execute the strategic vision, growth plan, and operational objectives for Stantec's U.S. Distribution line practice. - Drive consistent utilization, workforce planning, and resource management across the Distribution line organization. - Mentor team members and provide technical guidance where needed. - Track and report on progress, performance indicators, and resource needs through regular leadership and project meetings. - Partner with Operations, Sector Leadership, and Project Managers to balance workload, address resource constraints, and support profitable project delivery. - Ensure projects are appropriately staffed and executed in accordance with Stantec quality, safety, and technical standards. - Provide leadership on complex, high-profile, or strategically important Distribution line programs and pursuits. - Support recruitment, retention, succession planning, and professional development of Distribution line staff across the United States. - Foster a culture focused on technical excellence, innovation, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. - Identify capability gaps and implement plans to strengthen technical expertise, leadership depth, and delivery capacity within the practice. - Support assigned projects from initiation through engineering, construction support, and closeout. - Collaborate with other business units and global delivery centers to improve execution efficiency and delivery capacity. - Build and maintain relationships with utility clients, developers, EPC contractors, and industry partners. - Serve as a visible industry leader representing Stantec at client meetings, industry conferences, and professional organizations. - Support account planning, opportunity identification, capture planning, and strategic pursuit development for key distribution clients. - Participate in proposal development, staffing strategies, risk reviews, client presentations, and commercial discussions for major opportunities. - Leverage market intelligence and industry trends to guide investments, service offerings, and growth priorities within the Distribution line sector. - Expand existing client relationships and identify opportunities to introduce broader Power Delivery and multidisciplinary services. - Collaborate with Sector Leaders, Account Managers, and Business Center Leadership to achieve growth, revenue, and profitability objectives. Capabilities and Credentials - Demonstrated ability to lead engineering managers and geographically distributed technical teams. - Strong knowledge of the U.S. electric utility (specifically distribution) market. - Strong understanding of electric utility distribution systems ranging from 4 kV through 35 kV, including overhead and underground systems. - Experience delivering distribution engineering programs involving new business, system expansion, grid modernization, reliability improvement, and asset replacement initiatives. - Working knowledge of utility distribution design standards, construction methods, and operating practices for urban, suburban, and rural systems. - Established relationships and credibility within the Distribution industry. - Demonstrated experience supporting or leading business development, client engagement, capture planning, proposals, and interviews. - Experience supporting utility programs associated with reliability, hardening, resilience, storm recovery, undergrounding, DER interconnections, and electrification initiatives. - Proven experience delivering Distribution line engineering and design projects for electric utilities, developers, or EPC organizations. - Experience managing resource needs, project priorities, technical quality, and delivery risk across multiple concurrent projects. - Ability to create alignment among teams and leaders operating in different offices and geographic markets. - Demonstrated ability to mentor, motivate, empower, and develop employees and emerging leaders. - Experience utilizing common utility distribution design and analysis platforms such as CYME, Synergi, DDS, PoleForeman, O-Calc, GIS platforms, or equivalent tools. - Strong business judgment and the ability to balance people, project delivery, client, and financial considerations. - Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. - Ability to work effectively with operations leaders, sector leaders, account managers, project managers, and technical professionals. - Ability to travel up to 20 percent and occasionally work outside normal business hours. - Valid driver’s license. Education and Experience - Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, Electrical, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited university required. - Licensed Professional Engineer in at least one U.S. state is required, with the ability to obtain additional registrations when needed. - Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in Distribution line engineering, project delivery, technical leadership, or engineering management. - Demonstrated experience leading multiple teams, offices, managers, or a geographically distributed engineering practice. - Experience in an engineering consulting environment is strongly preferred. - Experience with business development, strategic pursuits, proposal development, project financial performance, and client relationship management is required. - Project Management Professional certification is considered an asset. This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice. Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other's talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best. #FeelingEnergize