Technical Director

In compliance with applicable pay transparency requirements, the application window for this position is expected to close on September 25th, subject to change based on business need.

A Day in the Life and the Impact You’ll Make:

Directs and interprets the standards and rules applicable to DEKRA Certification, Inc. Disseminates standards information continually, including ongoing training of all staff and auditors. Coordinates activities of the organization to obtain optimum efficiency and maximize financial performance

What You’ll Do:

• Actively contribute to a culture of safety and health by demonstrating accountability, communication, and oversight in the following key areas: Strategic Alignment, Accountability, Performance Monitoring, Reports, Communication & Engagement, Incident Management, and Corrective Actions.
• Provide leadership, direction, and performance oversight for assigned internal employees and external contractors, including workforce planning, coaching, development, resource allocation, and ensuring alignment with business objectives and technical requirements.
• Lead auditor for AS9100, ISO 9001, among others.
• Act as the designated Certification Official for DEKRA’s accredited and unaccredited standards.
• Maintain and extend accreditations and recognitions in relevant market segments.
• Develop market-specific presentations.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales in the acquisition of new clients.
• Implement DEKRA Certification rules related to technical matters in cooperation with Aerospace Program Manager.
• Implement accreditation requirements, in particular with the commissioning of auditors and review of audit records.
• Create, adapt, and update specific processes, procedures, and work instructions for the business sector within the team in agreement with top management of DEKRA Audits NA.
• Manage updates and distribution of audit procedures, ensuring they are simple and clear.
• Determine required competence for auditors and office staff and conduct initial onboarding knowledge, qualification, and competence assessments.
• Provide initial onboarding training regarding audit procedures and provide updated training monthly, including communicating revisions and updates regarding technical conformity to the auditor pool.
• Create and provide initial training to office staff for general knowledge of the audit process and certification industry, and provide updated training yearly, including communicating revisions and updates regarding technical conformity to office staff.
• Assess, enforce, and update required auditor qualifications, such as expiring accreditations and conformity to additional requirements, including ISO/IEC 17021-2 and ISO/IEC 17021-3.
• Determine SME roles and responsibilities and verify these are met.
• Facilitate SME and auditor selection for impartiality.
• Create, manage, and follow a single internal audit program.
• Conduct Management Review for entire ANAB Accreditation related program on a quarterly basis. 
• Manage internal and external audit findings, follow-up, and regularly report status of findings and actions to top management.
• Maintain, and regularly update DEKRA Management Systems Manual. 
• Attend all external office audits and attend client site witness audits depending on the witnessed auditor’s competence, client complexity, and criticality of IAF code.
• Keep records clear and ensure that external findings are valid.
• Record all external findings in Action Log, with status tracked and transparent to all staff.
• Write, propose, facilitate discussion, and finalize responses to external findings. Ensure that changes to the DCI system in response to findings are promptly and completely executed.

What You’ll Bring:

• Master’s degree or equivalent; or four to ten years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three years of quality management experience.
• Experience supervising staff or teams.
• Hands-on experience establishing, auditing, leading, and maintaining an ISO/AS quality system.
• Technical knowledge for assigned unit.
• Experience leading and representing the organization during external notified body audits.
• Assist in accreditation program harmonization.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work individually or in project teams.
• Strong analytical skills while handling multiple projects and delivering results on time using well-developed problem-solving skills.
• Proactive attitude, excellent organizational skills, and ability to work autonomously.
• Ability to travel domestically up to 40–50% of the time, including overnight stays; occasional overseas travel may be required.
• Availability for communications in any time zone may be necessary.
• Ability to lead teams and display a high level of professionalism.

Physical Considerations: 

• Must be able to work in a variety of client locations, environments, and conditions. This may include climbing stairs, walking long distances, walking on rough and uneven terrain, walking through client work facilities, working in heat/cold conditions, indoors and outdoors. 
• Must be able to accommodate working various shifts as client activities are scheduled. 
• Must be able to withstand the rigors of extensive travel. 
• May require difficult travel and long periods of driving.
• Ability to move and conduct work with full range of motion.
• Ability to lift 25-50lbs (luggage)
• Extended periods of computer-based work
• Extended periods of standing

Travel Considerations:

• Domestic travel required, estimated up to 20%; occasional overseas travel may be required.

 What You’ll Receive for the Value You Bring:

 Compensation: 

The base pay range for this position is $102,600 annually to $156,000 annually. This position is designated as bonus eligible, subject to plan terms and conditions. Actual pay is based on several factors including market location and position-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 

Benefits:

DEKRA North America strives to provide a competitive benefits package to colleagues and promotes physical, emotional, and financial well-being. Colleagues can self-select from our benefits to create a package unique to their needs. These benefits include access to competitive health care and retirement benefits, paid time off, mental health well-being resources, and opportunities to learn and develop. Below is a list of benefits we offer our colleagues:

Health & Well-being Benefits:

• Health care benefits: medical & prescription, dental, vision (including Domestic Partners)
• Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity supplemental insurance
• Company Health Savings Account contribution
• Flexible Spending Account for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• Paid time off such as vacation, sick leave, and floating holidays
• Mental and emotional support resources through our Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program to increase activity and health habits, with ability to earn participation rewards
• Paid Parental Leave
• Travel Assist (Domestic/International)

Financial Benefits:

• 401(k) plan, with an employer match
• Company paid Short- & Long-Term Disability benefits
• Group term life insurance with options to buy-up for self and others
• Working Advantage – DEKRA’s official corporate discount program

Growth and Development Benefits:

• Education Assistance Program
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance
• Internal training and development resources to grow your career
• LEAD Forward Leadership Development Program
• Annual Career Goal Setting and Performance Review cycle participation

This list provides an overview of benefits provided for US-based colleagues; the DEKRA North America Employee Benefits Guide outlines plan details and further related eligibility requirements.

Additional Position Details:

• Reports to: VP of Audit
• Work Model: Remote
• Work Location: US Based Remote
• Supervises Others: Yes
• Status: Full-time, Regular
• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• Visa Sponsorship Eligibility: This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.
• Relocation Eligibility: This position is not eligible for relocation.

About Us:

As a global provider of comprehensive services and solutions, we help our customers improve their safety, security, and sustainability outcomes. DEKRA is the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification (TIC) companies offering innovative professional services in the fields of vehicle inspection, expert appraisals, industrial product testing & certification, management system certifications, leadership consulting, and much more. DEKRA is a purpose-driven organization with a deep passion to make the world a safer place on the road, at work, and at home. In DEKRA, you will be part of a continuously growing organization with a 100-year history involved in more than 50 countries on five continents.

We hope you’ll consider a career with DEKRA North America as we strive to become the Global Partner for a Safe World! 

DEKRA North America is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DEKRA North America is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment, please email [email protected], or call +1 (770) 971-3788. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

DEKRA North America will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay. 

DEKRA North America participates in the E-Verify program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.