Career Tracks
Management & Ownership
Associates Program
Associates provide the firm with a second level of firm leadership. They contribute to both project management and practice management, supporting the Partners and the firm as a whole.
Promotion to Associate provides individuals with increased opportunities for professional growth, job satisfaction, and compensation. Associates enjoy the chance to more directly affect the success of the firm, its projects, and its staff.
Associates may be considered for promotion to Principal and subsequent advancement to Partner, which entails an ownership interest in the firm. All promotions require the unanimous vote of all firm Partners.
The firm named its first group of Associates in December 2003.
Criteria for Promotion
Staff members who successfully collaborate with Partners and Principals in making the firm’s projects successful — both qualitatively and financially — may be considered for promotion to Associate. Specific criteria include:
- Registered engineer or senior administrative or technical staff who serves a management role at the firm
- Technical competence, strong communication skills, excellent job performance, responsive client service, delivery of excellent projects
- Responsible for specific aspects of firm operations; demonstrates dedication to the welfare of the firm; shows a desire to make a long-term career at the firm
- Self-motivated to continually improve technical, professional, and communication skills
- Proactively seeks ways to support the firm’s partners in running the firm and managing its projects; works well with all partners
Associate Responsibilities
- Serves as rotating chairperson for monthly Associates meeting (or conference call)
- Develops creative solutions to improve quality of project work, client satisfaction, and office management. Personally contributes to putting the solutions into effect.
- Assumes responsibility for specific aspects of firm operations
- Helps to build a positive and productive culture at the firm
- Mentors other staff members in technical and non-technical skills
- Contributes to marketing the firm and winning new clients and work
On an annual basis, the Associate will be considered for promotion to Principal if the individual demonstrates strong skills and interest in firm management, leadership, and new business development.
Associate Benefits
- Quarterly management luncheon with the partners
- Annual retreat with the partners, with all expenses paid by the firm
- 100% paid continuing education. Associates are encouraged to pursue training in management, communication, leadership, and business management skills
- Three paid “personal days” annually, in addition to vacation time
- Salary review at time of promotion
- Title on business card and other firm materials
Principal
Associates who continue to excel may be invited to become a Principal in the firm. Principals receive the same benefits as Associates, and they also are placed on a potential ownership track.
Candidates for Principal are Associates who have demonstrated the desire, skills, and leadership to take on firm-wide responsibilities for project management, practice management, and business development. In rare circumstances, the firm may hire a highly experienced professional at the Principal level.
Principals take on additional management and marketing duties. Upon successfully assuming these added responsibilities, the Principal is considered to be on a Partner track.
Partner
After a minimum of one year, a Principal may be invited to become a Partner by acquiring an ownership interest in the firm.
The firm seeks to identify, develop, and promote additional Partners from within the firm over time.
At the request of an Associate or Principal, the Partners will meet with the individual to discuss future ownership prospects. Ownership is dependent on specific criteria being met. These will include the proven ability to:
- Produce excellent projects that advance the firm’s reputation
- Bring major new clients and projects into the firm
- Serve as Principal-in-Charge for major projects, successfully leading and mentoring staff teams
- Provide office-wide and firm-wide management in the areas of Human Resources, Financials, Operations, and Marketing
- Earn the trust and respect of the other Partners, clients, and staff
- Globally advance the firm’s interests and secure its future
