Discipline Leader - Utility Design Engineering

Overview Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a senior consulting leader to guide, grow, and strengthen our Utility Design Engineering (UDE) discipline in Columbus, Ohio. This role is built for a high-level industry professional with technical credibility, established client relationships, strong operational discipline, and the ability to expand fiber design services in existing and new markets. Candidates must be located within a commutable distance to our Columbus, OH office. Are you energized by building teams, winning work, strengthening client relationships, and shaping a growing practice? As the Discipline Leader, you will help drive the strategy, performance, and continued expansion of Colliers Engineering & Design's fiber utility design practice across existing and emerging markets. This is an opportunity for a proven consulting leader with technical credibility, strong operational instincts, and established industry relationships to make a meaningful impact. You will work closely with clients, partners, industry groups, and internal leaders to build trust, pursue new opportunities, and position Colliers Engineering & Design as a go-to provider for fiber and utility design solutions. This role goes well beyond technical oversight. It is a chance to lead a scalable business, mentor managers and technical staff, drive project delivery and financial performance, and help define the next chapter of growth for a discipline that supports the infrastructure powering communities for years to come. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Discipline Growth - Lead the UDE fiber discipline with overall accountability for financial performance, quality, client satisfaction, productivity, operational consistency, and long-term growth. - Develop and execute a clear growth strategy for fiber utility design services in existing markets while identifying and opening new geographic and client markets. - Establish the vision, priorities, standards, and leadership structure needed to scale the discipline across multiple offices and regions. Business Development and Market Expansion - Serve as a senior seller-doer and visible industry leader for UDE fiber services. - Develop, maintain, and expand relationships with broadband providers, utilities, municipalities, public agencies, developers, contractors, and strategic teaming partners. - Identify and pursue opportunities in fiber design, FTTx, middle mile, OSP & ISP fiber design, utility coordination, road moves, make-ready, permitting, GIS-supported workflows, and related infrastructure services. - Represent CED at industry conferences, client meetings, association events, and regional market development activities. - Coordinate with internal business development, marketing, and technical leaders to help execute UDE growth. Technical and Project Delivery Leadership Provide senior-level oversight and practical technical leadership for fiber utility design projects. Ensure design delivery aligns with client requirements, jurisdictional standards, permitting requirements, project budgets, schedules, scope expectations, and quality standards. Support teams delivering FTTx, middle mile, OSP fiber design, utility coordination, road move, make-ready, permitting, GIS-based design support, and related infrastructure services. Establish and maintain technical standards, QA/QC expectations, project initiation practices, documentation requirements, project handoff packages, and change management practices. Provide senior review and guidance on scope, fee, schedule, staffing, contract, and delivery risk before issues impact profitability or client satisfaction. Collaborate with internal groups to deliver complete fiber infrastruc