National Leader - Water Utility Infrastructure
designworkstalent · United States · onsite
Build and Lead a Water Utility Infrastructure Practice
Location: Onsite | Any of the following Design Center Locations*
* IN (Indianapolis, Evansville, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Jeffersonville, Merrillville), FL (Tampa, Orlando), IL (Chicago/Lisle), OH (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron), PN (Pittsburgh), TN (Nashville), TX (Austin, Round Rock, Dallas/Irving)
We’re partnering with a highly respected engineering firm to identify a national practice leader who’s ready to build, lead, and grow a water utility infrastructure office in United States and Internationally. This is a rare opportunity to step into a true ownership-minded role—shaping strategy, developing talent, and expanding a high-impact practice.
As the national leader, you’ll oversee operations, mentor and grow a multidisciplinary team, serve as a technical authority, and act as a trusted advisor to clients. If you’re energized by building teams, elevating people, and delivering complex infrastructure projects, this role offers both influence and long-term growth.
WHAT YOU’LL OWN
PRACTICE & NATIONAL TEAM LEADERSHIP
- Lead day-to-day operations for water utility infrastructure practice
- Oversee workflow, staffing plans, utilization, and profitability
- Prepare monthly staffing and financial forecasts with a forward-looking outlook
- Maintain visibility into project performance, billings, and margins
- Partner senior leadership to align resources and drive growth
- Identify hiring needs and play a key role in recruiting top engineering talent
- Foster a high-performance, collaborative, and engaged team culture
- Lead performance reviews and support employee development and retention
STAFF DEVELOPMENT & MENTORSHIP
- Actively mentor Team Leaders, Engineers and Project Managers at all career stages
- Build technical depth and leadership capability across the team
- Develop Project Managers into well-rounded leaders of scope, schedule, budget, and client relationships
- Coach PMs on proposals, fee development, billing, and financial performance
- Create and track individualized development plans and progression timelines
TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
- Provide technical leadership across drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects
- Lead and oversee studies, designs, and complex utility infrastructure solutions
- Anticipate and resolve technical challenges to keep projects moving efficiently
- Serve as a go-to technical resource for both staff and clients
PROJECT & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- Lead proposal development, fee negotiations, and contract execution
- Monitor project financial performance and guide PMs toward consistent delivery
- Ensure schedules, budgets, and quality standards are met across all projects
- Contribute to overall group and cross-discipline profitability
QUALITY & CLIENT ENGAGEMENT
- Ensure rigorous technical review and quality control at all project stages
- Leverage firmwide expertise to deliver best-in-class solutions
- Build long-term, trusted relationships with municipal and utility clients
- Identify expansion opportunities with existing clients and support new pursuits
- Partner with business development and sales teams to grow the practice
WHAT OUR CLIENT IS LOOKING FOR
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering
- REQUIRED: Professional Engineer (PE) license in one of the United States
EXPERIENCE
- 20+ years of utility infrastructure engineering experience
- Strong background in water and wastewater treatment facilities, distribution and collection systems, and lift stations
- Proven history of high client satisfaction and repeat work across the USA and internationally
LEADERSHIP & BUSINESS ACUMEN
- Confident, positive communicator at all organizational levels
- Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing teams
- Experience supporting proposals, presentations, and winning new work
- Ability to contribute to business planning, growth strategy, and practice expansion
TECHNICAL & MARKET PRESENCE
- Strong track record of profitable project delivery
- Established relationships with local municipalities and utility clients
WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY STANDS OUT
- Build and shape the practice's future
- Visible leadership role with real influence and autonomy
- Strong, people-first culture with excellent benefits
- Long-term growth potential within a respected engineering firm