The posting
Company Description
SOCOTEC is a global player in technical consulting, testing, inspection, and certification services in the construction, real estate, infrastructure, industrial and energy sectors. With offices in 26 countries, more than 15,000 employees around the world and global revenue of €1.85 billion, SOCOTEC delivers tailored solutions that help organisations achieve their technical, operational and business objectives by combining engineering, consulting, testing, inspection, verification, training and certification expertise. They support clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their projects and assets – from planning and design to construction, operation, maintenance, refurbishment and decommissioning. SOCOTEC is headquartered in Paris, France with offices around the world.
SOCOTEC USA, a $370M-revenue business, is comprised of over 40 offices across more than 15 states, with a team of over 1,500 people. The firm has been working on some of the most challenging projects in the world's most competitive markets. The firm's breadth and diversity are key strengths that allow us to best serve our clients' needs. SOCOTEC US offers a full range of services, from plan review, code analysis, and energy modeling during pre-construction, to shop and field quality assurance and commissioning during project administration, to schedule and delay analysis, and fitness for service during post-construction.
SOCOTEC Life Safety (SLS), the life safety division of SOCOTEC US, is an emerging fire protection engineering firm poised for growth in the United States, specializing in fire prevention, life safety systems, and compliance consulting. As we expand our presence in the Mid-Atlantic region, we are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to spearhead the establishment of our new office. This leadership role will involve setting the foundation for our operations, team development, and client acquisition, ensuring that we deliver high-quality fire protection solutions to a diverse range of industries.
Job Description
Job Summary
The ideal candidate will be responsible for launching and growing the fire protection engineering division in the Mid-Atlantic, ideally in the Washington DC metro area. This role requires a blend of technical expertise in fire protection engineering, business acumen, and strong leadership skills to build a team, establish key operational processes, and drive business growth. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully leading engineering teams, managing startup environments, and contributing to strategic growth in a competitive market.
Key Responsibilities
Business Leadership & Market Development
- Define and execute the Mid-Atlantic market entry and growth strategy for SLS, establishing SOCOTEC as a trusted partner within the local construction, development, and infrastructure ecosystem. Success requires deep understanding of local procurement dynamics and the ability to identify and pursue the right decision-makers across private and public sectors.
- Develop and execute a market-specific growth plan for the SLS Service Line, aligned with the Region's and SOCOTEC's national strategy
- Drive market penetration and revenue growth by identifying and securing new client opportunities within the Service Line and related offerings
- Build and sustain senior client relationships with key clients, owners, developers, contractors, engineers, and industry stakeholders in the local area
- Drive cross-selling of SOCOTEC's integrated service offerings, partnering with other Business Unit General Managers in the Region to maximize lifetime client value
- Establish and nurture long-term client partnerships to anticipate needs and proactively address challenges
- Serve as the primary point of contact for major clients within the local area for the Service Line
- Represent SOCOTEC as a visible market leader through industry involvement, thought leadership, and active participation in local professional organizations
Operational & Financial Management
- This role requires disciplined operational leadership combined with strong financial acumen. The Business Unit Manager will establish scalable processes that support growth while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and compliance within their Service Line.
- Oversee fire protection engineering projects from inception to completion, ensuring adherence to budgets, timelines, and quality standards. Provide technical expertise and leadership during the design, analysis, and implementation phases.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest fire protection technologies, codes, and regulations. Provide guidance and support to the team in areas such as fire suppression systems, life safety systems, fire alarm systems, and building code compliance.
- Ensure all projects comply with local, state, and federal fire protection codes and safety regulations. Serve as a subject matter expert to ensure the highest standards of safety and fire prevention are upheld.
- Full P&L ownership for the Service Line within the local area: manage budgeting, forecasting, utilization management, margin optimization, and cash flow
- Establish and optimize operational processes, quality management systems, and safety protocols specific to the Service Line
- Implement KPIs and performance metrics to drive accountability, continuous improvement, and alignment with utilization and billable hour targets
- Actively manage project execution, resource allocation, billing, and collections for the Service Line
- Support teams with contract tracking, budget monitoring, and collection efforts
Team Leadership & Culture
- Build and lead a high-performing team of engineers, designers, and administrative support within the Service Line, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional excellence. This leader must attract talent capable of scaling with the business while maintaining SOCOTEC's values and performance standards.
- Recruit, develop, and mentor a high-performing technical, commercial, and operational team within the Service Line
- Set clear goals, prioritize objectives, and ensure alignment with overall Regional and business targets
- Ensure objectives and key results are clearly defined, communicated, and monitored for all staff in the Business Unit
- Attract and retain top technical, operational, and business talent capable of scaling with the business
- Build future leaders and support succession planning within the Business Unit
- Promote a hands-on, high-accountability leadership culture
- Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, safety, and professional excellence
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. Master's degree is a plus.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in Fire Protection Engineering or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable time frame.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in fire protection engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
- Strong understanding of fire protection systems design, building codes, and safety regulations (NFPA, IBC, UBC, etc.).
- Experience in managing or starting up a business unit, particularly in a technical or engineering-based environment.
- Proven track record in business development, client relationship management, and project acquisition.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to think strategically, problem-solve, and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Additional Information
For more information, please visit www.socotec.us
Job Type: Full-Time
Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
SOCOTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
SOCOTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
