Energy Technical Account Manager - Automation

John Wood Group - Houston, TX

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Houston, TX

Support Activities for Mining

About the position

Wood is seeking Energy Technical Account Managers to join our Automation and Controls group, based in our Deer Park or Houston, TX offices. This position operates on a hybrid basis, requiring regular travel throughout the region as necessary. The successful candidate will report to the Business Manager of Energy in Systems Integration and will be responsible for driving business growth and ensuring the delivery of Automation and Controls services across Upstream, Midstream, and Renewables sectors in the Americas. This role is pivotal in fostering a culture of innovation, where we continuously push the boundaries to find the best solutions for our clients. The Energy Technical Account Manager will direct and guide the growth, development, and performance delivery across various projects within assigned customer contracts in the Energy sector. This includes ensuring that project teams adhere to the highest standards of integrity, safety, quality, and performance excellence. The role involves collaboration with functional managers, project managers, and staffing functions to ensure that customer projects are adequately staffed, influencing key hiring decisions as necessary. The manager will also develop and implement business plans that align with Wood's strategic goals, maximizing long-term customer relationships and commercial returns by positioning Wood favorably for contract extensions and renewals. In addition to maintaining operational integrity and excellence, the Energy Technical Account Manager will track and report on performance metrics, driving improvements where necessary. The role requires proactive collaboration with other Business Managers and Sub-Business Groups within Digital Consulting, Projects, and the broader Wood organization. The manager will be accountable for maintaining relationships with strategic clients and execution partners, supporting the development of new relationships in line with Wood's strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for delivery of contract performance directly focusing on assigned customer contract(s).
• Responsible for key clients and/or more complex projects with strategic requirements or higher revenue and/or headcount.
• Develops and delivers a robust business plan while driving and supporting corporate initiatives, ensuring company values are at the core of all activities.
• Accountable for maintaining positive customer relationships, fostering and enhancing relationship management with open, honest, and effective communications.
• Negotiates changes to contract scope or terms with the customer, following Change Management processes to identify and approve scope, cost, and schedule while managing risks.
• Maintain operational integrity and excellence, ensuring robust governance, subcontractor management, and performance reporting.
• Work with leadership and peers to improve delivery performance and maximize delivery opportunities throughout the wider business.
• Develop and implement a focused strategy at the customer level, supporting bid and tender activity as required and assuming responsibility for positioning and new growth opportunities.
• Understand customer needs beyond the immediate scope and introduce other Wood services to grow the overall scope for Wood and add value to the Customer/Asset.
• Ownership of HSSEA matters across customer contract(s), ensuring HSSEA values are always delivered and adhered to, continuously influencing and personally role modeling safety behavioral values.
• Champion and role model for ethical behavior and compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Support the development and growth of people assigned to end-market/customer contract teams, including supporting and allowing development opportunities outside of assigned market/contract(s).
• Support recruitment, selection, and development of talent, ensuring effective performance and capability management, acting as a coach/mentor, and encouraging open and effective communication to optimize delivery of objectives.

Requirements

• University Degree (bachelors or masters) in relevant discipline or equivalent combination of qualifications and experience.
• Minimum 10 years in a technical/project delivery role in the area of automation & systems integration, preferably in Upstream, Midstream, or Renewables.
• Minimum 5 years in commercial/business development/customer account management.
• Strong technical background with proven commercial/business development experience.
• Broad and deep understanding of an applicable industry and strong networking and relationship building capability.
• Proven experience of building and maintaining key client relationships or end-market growth.
• Strong team building skills; motivating people, proactively enabling cross-functional best practices.
• Ability to influence and challenge others to behave in ways consistent with the interest of the organization.
• Ability to steer and implement change programs.
• Experience with DCS, SIS, HMI, project detailed design work including configuration, testing, and commissioning experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with PLC platforms (Allen Bradley) and SCADA is beneficial but not required.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• 401k benefit for retirement savings plan
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling options
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee discount programs