National Director – Transmission and Distribution Lines

Job Overview

North America is experiencing an unprecedented transmission build‑out. From coast to coast, new high‑voltage lines are being planned, permitted and constructed to support grid modernization, electrification and the energy transition. BBA’s Transmission and Distribution group is at the centre of this demand surge, delivering complex, multiphase projects across Canada and internationally.

Type of Position

Regular

Role Summary

We’re seeking a National Director – Transmission and Distribution Lines to lead the discipline nationally: a seller‑doer leader who can set direction, win and shape work, build high‑performing teams and own delivery outcomes across the country. This leadership role is comparable to a discipline director or department manager, but is accountable for the performance, growth and reputation of the Transmission and Distribution Lines practice. You’ll be the bridge between Operations and the business line, the steward of the order backlog and the face of transmission line engineering at BBA.

Strategic and Market Leadership

• Maintain a global vision of transmission line projects, from opportunity identification through development, permitting, detailed engineering and construction support, and understanding how multidisciplinary aspects and engineering disciplines come together to execute successfully.
• Hold a clear market vision: anticipate sector trends and translate evolving client expectations across utilities, industrial and renewables markets into BBA’s strategy.
• Leverage a strong transmission line network and market recognition to position BBA, open doors and strengthen the firm’s reputation as a transmission line leader.
• Define and drive the growth strategy for the national Transmission Line group, in alignment with the business line and Operations.
• Represent BBA at industry conferences and working groups (IEEE, CIGRE, CEATI, etc.), reinforcing the firm’s national profile and professional network.

Backlog Ownership and Operational Leadership

• Be accountable for the order backlog of the Transmission Line group, bridging Operations and the business line and ensuring the pipeline is healthy, balanced and aligned with capacity.
• Own key trade‑off decisions across projects, regions and clients, balancing risk, profitability, resourcing and strategic value.
• Assign resources and regions appropriately to projects, ensuring the right expertise is matched to the right work across the national footprint.
• Partner with project and operations leadership to safeguard quality, schedule and budget on key pursuits and active mandates.

Business Development (Seller‑Doer)

• Contribute directly to selling: identify and qualify opportunities, build and sustain trusted client relationships, and lead or shape major proposals, qualification packages and fee estimates.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and key anchor in client relationships across utilities, industrial and renewables clients.
• Contribute to go/no‑go decisions and shape pursuit strategy on strategic and complex transmission opportunities.
• Develop and grow a book of business that drives repeat work and long‑term client partnerships.

People Leadership and Team Growth

• Lead, mentor and develop the national Transmission and Distribution Lines team with direct reports, including regional discipline leads and senior and principal engineers.
• Drive team growth: hiring, onboarding and developing talent to build national capacity and bench strength.
• Contribute to the group hiring strategy and workforce planning, ensuring the discipline can scale with market demand.
• Set technical and delivery standards, elevate overall team performance and foster a collaborative, knowledge‑sharing culture across offices.

Technical Foundation

• Perform detailed design of overhead transmission lines (25 kV to 765 kV), including conductor selection, structure spotting and optimization, sag‑and‑tension analysis and electrical clearance verification.
• Design support structures and foundations (steel, lattice, wood, concrete and composite materials) in accordance with CSA and IEEE standards.
• Model transmission systems using PLS‑CADD, PLS‑POLE and PLS‑TOWER.
• Coordinate across civil, geotechnical, environmental, survey and power system planning and studies teams through all project phases, from feasibility through to commissioning.
• Oversee high‑quality engineering deliverables: plan‑and‑profile drawings, stringing charts, design calculations, technical specifications and construction packages.
• Provide field engineering support during construction, including site inspections, RFI responses, and as‑built reviews.

Qualities and Value