Vice President - Ports and Maritime Engineering

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a talented Vice President – Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Maritime Leader, Ports & Maritime Engineering professional to join our National Maritime team at any of the following locations: New Orleans, LA or Baton Rouge, LA.  

Provides leadership within the national ports and maritime business line. Ideal candidate shall possess subject matter expertise in planning and design delivery of port/waterfront projects (solid/bulk handling ports including ship and barge docks, multipurpose cargo handling facilities, container terminals, oil/fuel terminals, military facilities, intermodal yards, and passenger terminals) in the region, and significant experience in pursuing and proposing on multidisciplinary marine waterfront programs along the Mississippi River.  Candidate shall have proven record of designing and delivering PS&E packages with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry and company standards for design, safety, and functionality. Hands-on understanding of the maritime market and proven record of meeting and exceeding client objectives is highly desirable.    

Your Impact

• Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the maritime subsector offering direction, expertise, and support to achieve project and business line expansion goals.   
• Understand the maritime permitting process and perform engineering review of permit applications, engineering design plans and specifications, standby plans and engineering contracts, integrated management plans, and periodic construction inspections, to ensure that they comply with applicable state and/or federal regulations and sound engineering practice and standards.   
• Lead larger-scale multidisciplinary greenfield port development and port redevelopment/reconfiguration projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees.   
• Provide expert technical assistance on various engineering, design, and construction issues relating to marine, port, and coastal systems  
• Responsible for the capture planning, pursuit, and development of business and the successful execution of traditional maritime/port work all across Louisiana, Mississippi with a specific focus on Louisiana and private clients including terminal operators along the Mississippi.    
• Lead technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentations, and meetings.   
• Support the overall long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development of Marine Engineering work for WSP in assigned area of responsibility, with a focus on port infrastructure opportunities in all disciplines (planning, design, strategic consulting and program/construction management).   
• Responsible for the profitable performance of the individual projects and the successful completion of the projects within the specified area.   
• Develop a solid client base consisting of various public or private entities or individuals and meet with them regularly to track opportunities and discuss issues relating to a variety of engineering/construction challenges and programs.   
• Ensure that engineering discipline certifications, accreditations, and value proposition are developed and continuously improved.   
• Serve as one of the practice’s lead representatives/liaisons to a variety of external entities including Federal, State, and Local Agencies, Clients, Subcontractors, Port Authorities, industry-related groups, and various government and community entities.   
• Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.   
• Manage and provide performance guidance and leadership to assigned staff.   
• Remain current in latest marine, port, and coastal engineering techniques and practices. Be acquainted with the capital investment programs of all leading regional public ports at a minimum.  
• Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide “trusted advisor” service and future ready solutions for clients.   
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.   
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.   

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering, or closely related discipline.  
• 12+ years of relevant post education experience in delivery of marine, port, coastal, and infrastructure projects including hands-on analysis and delivery of PS&E packages, cost estimates and construction oversight.  
• Engineer license required (LA PE is necessary, MS/AL preferred).  
• Advanced proficiency with marine, port, and coastal engineering principles, practices, project delivery modes such as design/build, standard of care, and the application to project work-related issues.  
• Strong working knowledge of relevant marine, port, and coastal construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements, and  the business impact upon the organization.  
• Advanced proficiency in making technical computations and calculations including seismic designs of ports involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.   
• Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.  
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.  
• Tactical lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and prioritization of responsibilities in a pressure work environment.  
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, clients, regulators, architects, and company-wide staff, including  those with whom no formal hierarchical relationship exits.   
• Advanced proficiency with office automation, load calculations, discipline-specific design software (i.e., SAP2000, OPTIMOOR), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.  
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.  
• Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet business needs.    
• Travel is required to meet with clients, develop opportunities, and address project-specific requirements.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering.
• Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment is highly desirable.
• Understanding and/or experience in design and operations of bulk terminals, equipment, and support for electrical systems.  
• Understanding and/or experience with impacts of coastal flooding/exposure to existing port infrastructure. 

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