Senior Director – Geospatial Data Services

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Virginia.

📋 Description

• Create and implement a growth strategy spanning 3–5 years, emphasizing revenue diversification.

• Establish Utility Asset Mapping & Digital Infrastructure as a core practice area.

• Discover and assess new service lines, acquisitions, partnerships, and market possibilities.

• Drive expansion into related markets such as GNSS utility asset mapping, GIS services, SUE, GPR, utility inspection, construction as-builts, damage prevention consulting, leak detection, and pipeline integrity data services.

• Examine market dynamics and customer requirements; develop business cases and financial models.

• Set annual growth objectives, sales strategies, and revenue projections.

• Take ownership of the practice budget, financial forecasting, and margin performance.

• Forge strategic partnerships with utilities, municipalities, engineering firms, contractors, and government entities.

• Act as the executive sponsor for key utility clients and deliver strategic solutions.

• Assist in proposal development and significant pursuits.

• Represent NUG at various industry conferences.

• Design scalable field collection workflows for survey-grade GPS mapping.

• Formulate QA/QC standards to ensure spatial accuracy and data integrity.

• Lead the development of GPS Asset Inventory, Underground Utility GIS Verification, Utility Network Readiness, As-Built Validation, and Facility Record Modernization services.

• Advise on capital investments in equipment and software.

• Oversee vendor and technology-partner relationships, licensing negotiations, and platform selection.

• Assess emerging technologies like mobile LiDAR, GNSS, AI-assisted feature extraction, digital twins, mobile GIS, remote sensing, and reality capture.

• Spearhead pilot programs and innovation initiatives through commercialization.

• Promote next-generation offerings such as Pipeline Traceability, Digital Twin Development, AI Quality Assurance, and Utility Data Governance.

• Recruit, hire, and nurture a national team of field crews, GIS professionals, and project managers.

• Set productivity standards, KPIs, and performance dashboards.

• Collaborate with operations leadership to scale offerings and enhance utilization, profitability, and productivity.

• Ensure project delivery is safe, timely, and within budget.

• Coordinate with utility locating, SUE, surveying, and engineering teams.

• Assist with acquisition and integration of new service lines.

• Align field and mapping programs with state one-call/811 requirements and relevant PHMSA and NERC CIP obligations.

• Report directly to the CEO, presenting strategies, business cases, and outcomes to executive leadership.

• Conduct regular business reviews covering pipeline, revenue, delivery quality, and team development.

• Lead cross-functional teams, mentor emerging leaders, and encourage entrepreneurial thinking.

• Cultivate a culture of accountability, customer service, continuous improvement, and innovation.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, GIS, Surveying, Geography, Construction Management, or a related field.

• Over 10 years of progressive experience in utilities, utility services, engineering consulting, GIS/geospatial services, infrastructure, or construction, including substantial leadership roles.

• Proven track record in building, launching, or scaling a new business line, practice area, or revenue stream.

• Experience in leading strategic planning and business development initiatives.

• Demonstrated ability to manage P&L or have direct budget responsibility while achieving growth.

• Experience in managing enterprise GIS or utility asset management programs.

• In-depth understanding of underground utility infrastructure, damage prevention, GIS, and asset management.

• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams.

• Exceptional communication and executive presentation abilities.

• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time.

• Familiarity with Esri ArcGIS Enterprise and Utility Network.

• Experience in implementing GPS asset collection programs.

• Hands-on or program-level experience with mobile LiDAR or reality-capture platforms.

• Experience in evaluating or integrating acquisitions.

• Knowledge of PHMSA pipeline regulations.

• Familiarity with electric or gas utility operations.

• An established network of utility executive relationships.

• PMP certification is desirable.

• GISP certification is preferred.

• A Professional Surveyor or Professional Engineer license is advantageous but not mandatory.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• 401(k).

• Competitive bonus structure that rewards performance and success.