Smart Operations - Chief of Staff

This Smart Operations position will serve as the Southwest Area’s Chief of Staff. Reporting to the Southwest Area Director, this role is responsible for identifying business challenges and opportunities and partnering with internal and external teams to design, develop, and implement solutions that improve operational effectiveness. As a core member of the Southwest Area Leadership Team, you will focus on optimizing performance, advancing key business priorities, and enabling the business to scale effectively.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Area Director to act as a force multiplier for the Southwest Area Leadership Team by bringing structure, focus, and accountability to business priorities. Facilitate thought-provoking leadership discussions that encourage healthy debate and produce actionable strategies. Drive strategies from decision through execution across leadership, offices, practices, and corporate functions; establish accountability for key commitments using clear KPIs; and support change management. Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration, accelerate growth, and improve business performance.

What you will do:

• Partner with the Area Director and Southwest Area Leadership Team to advance business priorities and drive initiatives from decision through execution.
• Coordinate leadership team operations including calendars, agendas, meeting preparation, key decisions, action items, and after-action follow-ups.
• Enter and maintain sales data for accurate forecasting of pursuits and contracted sales.
• Analyze sales and operational data by conducting targeted research to identify trends, assess performance, and quantify strengths and weaknesses to inform decision making.
• Identify and implement business optimization strategies focused on staff utilization, revenue growth, operational efficiency, and overhead cost management.
• Track key management priorities and KPIs, driving accountability toward progress across the Area and help identify if course corrections are required.
• Partner with process owners and subject matter experts to improve processes, workflows, systems, and business solutions that increase efficiency and productivity.
• Adapt to evolving business needs by embracing new challenges while remaining solution-oriented in support of the SW Area Leadership Team.

Who you are:

• You act as a representative of the Southwest Area Leadership Team and a BC brand ambassador.
• You diplomatically challenge existing processes and perspectives to improve team effectiveness.
• You are naturally curious, quick to learn, and ask thoughtful questions across any stakeholders to become a reliable source of information.
• You thrive in data-driven, KPI-focused environments and have an entrepreneurial mindset toward growth and business performance.
• You take ownership, exercise sound business judgment, and follow through on commitments, even when navigating ambiguity and change.
• You are highly organized, detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and trusted with sensitive information.
• You build trust, collaborate well across teams, and graciously give and receive feedback.

Where you will work:

• In-person with cross-functional dynamic teams.
• At a BC office or client facility 5 days per week (in-person only).
• Travel as required (~20%) between Irvine, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Diego.

Mentorship

• May provide mentorship, guidance, support, and knowledge-sharing to help less experienced team members develop their skills and grow within their roles.
• Participate in succession planning and help grow the future members of the SW Area Leadership Team.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication (written and oral) and presentation skills.
• Strong proficiency in research and analysis
• Strong proficiency in business process analysis, mapping, and development skills.
• Demonstrated experience in data visualization, predictive analytics, and data-driven insights generation.
• Proficiency in contributing to internal management reporting.
• Proficiency in report development technologies (e.g. BI, Tableau, etc.).
• Proficiency in workflow development and automation technologies (e.g. PowerAutomate).
• Proficiency in the application of digital solutions (e.g. AI tools and technology systems).
• Developing leadership skills to inspire and guide a team.
• Developing proficiency in project and program management.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a related role.

Education

• Bachelors degree in a relevant field is required; preferably in Engineering Management, Business Administration, or equivalent.
• Master degree in a related field is preferred.

Learn more about our work:

Climate Change and Resilience - Brown and Caldwell

Data Center Water - Brown and Caldwell

Emerging Contaminants and PFAS - Brown and Caldwell

Digital Solutions - Brown and Caldwell

News - Brown and Caldwell

Projects - Brown and Caldwell

Industrial Water - Brown and Caldwell

Salary Range: The anticipated starting pay range for this position is based on the employee’s primary work location and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Location B: $116,000 - $158,000

You can view which BC location applies to you here. If you have any questions, please speak with your Recruiter.

Benefits and Other Compensation: We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee health, performance, and success which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off and parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, performance-based bonus eligibility, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance and long-term care insurance. Click here to see our full list of benefits.

About Brown and Caldwell

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 50 offices and over 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For more than 75 years, we have created leading-edge environmental solutions for municipalities, private industry, and government agencies. We strive to be the company of choice—to our clients, who benefit from our passion for delivering exceptional quality, and to our employees, present and future, who share our commitment to client service, collaboration, and innovation. Join us, and you will find a home where you can do your best work, reach new levels of expertise, and enjoy exceptional development opportunities. For more information, visit www.brownandcaldwell.com

This position is subject to a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug test.

Notice to Third Party Agencies: Brown and Caldwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with Brown and Caldwell, Brown and Caldwell reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

Brown and Caldwell is proud to be an EEO/AAP Employer. Brown and Caldwell encourages protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Brown and Caldwell ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.