Associate Director - Mission Critical

Are You Ready? 

CAI is a professional services company established in 1996 that has grown year over year to nearly 800 people worldwide. For Life Sciences and Mission Critical industries that need to deliver critical solutions in high-stakes environments, we provide accelerated operational readiness and unparalleled performance at the highest standard through our rigorous approach, field tested processes, and elite expertise developed over 30 years.  

Our approach is simple because our Purpose informs everything we do:  

We act with integrity   

We serve each other   

We serve society   

We work for our future   

At CAI, we believe in a relentless dedication to excellence, pushing boundaries and surpassing 

expectations. From the beginning, we’ve challenged ourselves to do what others wouldn’t. Not just setting industry standards, but redefining them entirely. We are bold in our thinking and creative in our approach. We operate at the intersection of wisdom and technology and thrive when they come together with humanity. For us, operational readiness isn’t simply a goal. It’s a way of life. Because tomorrow demands to be at the forefront of today. We do this through tireless effort, precision, efficiency and an unwavering belief that there is always room for advancement. We’re not interested in how it used to be done. We’re obsessed with how it will be done.  

CAI is seeking a dynamic professional who is both a thought leader and a strategic contributor, actively shaping industry practices and helping clients adopt innovative solutions. The individual will play a key role in business development through active selling, strategic project delivery, and leveraging their industry network to generate work and provide opportunities for others. Engagement in professional societies, standards committees, and public-facing knowledge-sharing (e.g., white papers, speaking, training) is expected. Internally, the role includes developing the DC quality system, enhancing service capabilities, and contributing to knowledge management and internal training. The position also supports project managers by attending client meetings, reviewing documentation, tracking budgets and schedules, and assisting with staffing and proposal development. Additionally, the individual will provide client engagement support to the Director of Operations and be expected to maintain 60% billable time. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Industry Leadership & Innovation 

Create and implement industry-changing ideas and approaches. 

Engage in professional societies, standards committees, and public industry collaborations. 

Contribute thought leadership through white papers, public speaking, and training. 

2. Business Development & Client Growth 

Actively sell services and deliver strategic project work. 

Generate project opportunities through industry networks and provide work to peers. 

Support broader business development efforts, including proposals and staffing plans via SalesForce. 

3. Internal Capability & Knowledge Development 

Develop the DC quality system, service delivery definitions, and knowledge repository. 

Enhance internal capabilities through training, knowledge sharing, and content contributions. 

4. Project & Operational Support 

Support Project Managers with client meetings, report reviews, and compliance with Good Document Practices (GDP). 

Participate in financial tracker reviews and support schedule/budget alignment. 

Provide operational backup on planning, scheduling, site activities, and timesheets. 

5. Leadership Engagement & Billability 

Support the Director of Operations with client engagement and reporting. 

Maintain 60% billable workload to ensure effective project contributions. 

Qualifications: 

BS in a science or engineering field or 10 + years’ experience in DC commissioning or facility engineering / facility management.  

Project Management experience of 5+ years in DC commissioning or facility engineering/management a plus  

Experience in one or more of the following: design reviews, facilities and equipment startup walk downs & troubleshooting, HVAC, Medium/ Low voltage, LEED, facility auditing, DC infrastructure, and Back-up/ UPS systems.  

Outstanding oral and written communication skills.  

Strong problem-solving abilities.  

A strong customer-service focus.  

Willingness and flexibility to travel throughout Europe and potentially internationally if required.  

Leadership Competencies 

Apply Growth Strategies  

Integrates and balances big-picture concerns with day-to-day activities.  

Understands own area’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  

Evaluates and pursues initiatives, investments, and opportunities based on fit with broader strategies.  

Stays abreast of key competitor actions and their implications or threats to the business.  

Apply Commercial Acumen  

Creates and uses accurate conclusions from financial and quantitative information to drive performance.    

Promotes risk awareness and reviews risk management performance on a continuing basis.   

Forecasts accurately and finds new ways to improve profitability and reduce costs.  

Prepares realistic estimates of budget, staff, and other resources.  

Meet Customer Needs  

Tracks performance against customer requirements, using existing tools.  

Identifies and anticipates customer requirements, expectations, and needs.  

Creates systems and processes that make it easy for customers to do business with CAI.  

Manage Execution  

Identifies, clarifies and drives performance objectives for the organization and work unit.  

Monitors progress of others and redirects efforts when goals change or are not met.  

Empowers employees and holds people accountable for achieving their goals.  

Motivate Others  

Conveys confidence in others’ ability to do their best.  

Ensures that own positions address others’ needs and priorities.  

Promotes or asserts own positions and ideas with confidence and enthusiasm to drive a winning mindset.  

Develop Others  

Inspires and coaches others to achieve beyond their own expectations.  

Provides honest, helpful feedback to others on their performance.  

Helps others identify and prioritize their development objectives.  

Promotes sharing of expertise and a free flow of learning across the organization.  

Build Effective Teams  

Encourages others to set challenging goals and high standards of performance.  

Fosters a sense of energy, ownership, and personal commitment to the organization and its strategies.  

Celebrates and rewards significant achievements of others.  

Builds collaborative networks to drive innovation focused on customer or business requirements  

Challenges self and others to learn and develop to improve capabilities.  

Lead Courageously and Safely  

Supports and drives a safe and inclusive work culture.  

Takes well-reasoned stands on important issues and always leads with integrity.  

Makes tough people and business decisions  

Recognizes and develops breakthrough ideas, safety at work, initiatives, and business ventures. 

#LI-MV1 #MISSIONCRITICAL