About The Role

DescriptionDepartment: Forensics

Location: The Colony, TX (hybrid)

Lerch Bates is seeking an entrepreneurial, technically accomplished Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) to lead and grow our Structural Forensics practice.

This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on leader who enjoys solving complex structural failures, investigating building performance issues, mentoring technical professionals, and helping clients understand and address some of their most challenging building and infrastructure problems.

As Director of Operations, you will provide both the business leadership and technical direction for a growing team of forensic consultants and engineers. You will oversee project delivery, team development, client relationships, operational performance, and strategic growth while remaining actively engaged in forensic investigations, failure analysis, expert consulting, rehabilitation recommendations, and litigation support projects.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with proven leadership capability, strong client relationship skills, and a passion for developing both people and business opportunities.

About Lerch Bates

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP. That means when the company succeeds, our employee-owners share in that success. It's more than a retirement benefit—it's an ownership mindset backed by the opportunity to build long-term financial value while helping shape the future of the company.

What You’ll Do

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.

Technical Leadership & Forensic Consulting

Lead complex forensic investigations involving structural failures, construction defects, building movement, settlement, water intrusion impacts, storm damage, material deterioration, and other building performance issues.

Direct field investigations, condition assessments, failure analyses, and root-cause evaluations.

Review structural designs, construction documents, field observations, testing results, and investigative findings.

Develop technical conclusions, repair recommendations, rehabilitation strategies, and corrective action plans.

Serve as a senior technical advisor on high-profile and technically complex projects.

Provide technical review of forensic reports, engineering analyses, and expert opinions.

Support litigation matters, insurance investigations, dispute resolution efforts, and expert witness services when required.

Remain actively involved in project execution and technical consulting activities.

Business Development & Client Relationships

Serve as a trusted advisor to building owners, attorneys, insurers, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and other industry stakeholders.
Develop and maintain long-term client relationships through exceptional service and technical expertise.
Identify opportunities to expand services and support additional client needs.
Participate in networking, business development, industry involvement, and client engagement activities.
Lead client presentations, project interviews, and technical discussions.
Support proposal development and pursuit strategies for new opportunities.

Strategy & Practice Growth

Help shape the strategic direction and continued growth of the Structural Forensics practice.
Monitor market trends, industry developments, regulatory changes, and emerging risks that may impact clients and business opportunities.
Participate in annual business planning, including growth initiatives, staffing plans, training programs, and revenue objectives.
Support forecasting, business performance tracking, and operational planning.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability, and client service.

Operations & Project Delivery

Oversee project execution across a diverse portfolio of forensic consulting engagements.
Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and resource allocation.
Coordinate team workloads to achieve utilization, revenue, and performance objectives.
Maintain quality standards across all technical deliverables.
Review project documentation to ensure consistency, technical accuracy, and client satisfaction.
Monitor project financial performance, including forecasting, backlog management, invoicing, and revenue tracking.
Support proposal development through technical expertise, project planning, and staffing recommendations.

Leadership & Team Development

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of forensic engineers, consultants, and technical professionals.
Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, performance discussions, and career development planning.
Provide coaching on forensic investigations, client management, project leadership, and technical consulting.
Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and succession planning efforts.
Serve as a role model and trusted resource for team members.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Active Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
10+ years of experience in forensic engineering, structural engineering, failure analysis, rehabilitation consulting, building investigations, or related disciplines.
Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing client relationships.
Strong knowledge of structural systems, building construction, engineering principles, and construction practices.
Experience conducting structural investigations, condition assessments, failure analyses, and developing repair recommendations.
Proven leadership experience with responsibility for team development, project delivery, business operations, and strategic planning.
Strong financial, project management, and operational planning capabilities.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Proven ability to build trusted relationships with clients, colleagues, and industry stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Structural Engineer (SE) license.
Experience serving as an expert witness or supporting litigation matters.
Experience with insurance investigations, property loss assessments, and construction defect claims.
Experience mentoring and developing technical professionals.
Established industry relationships and business development experience.
Additional professional certifications relevant to forensic engineering or structural consulting.
Why Work with Lerch Bates?
Competitive base salary of $140,000 - $165,000 per year, based on experience, qualifications, and location
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