Water/Wastewater Group Leader
Water/Wastewater Practice Leader
Remote (California Based) | Full-Time | Executive Leadership
An established and growing engineering and consulting firm is seeking an experienced Water/Wastewater Practice Leader to build, lead, and expand its municipal water infrastructure business. This is a unique executive-level opportunity for an entrepreneurial professional who wants the freedom and autonomy to shape a practice, develop client relationships, build a team, and drive strategic growth.
The successful candidate will have extensive experience serving municipal and utility clients and a proven track record of developing business, managing teams, and delivering complex water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater projects. This role offers the opportunity to establish a long-term vision for a growing practice while receiving the support and resources of a well-established consulting organization.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, relationship builder, and industry leader who is motivated by the opportunity to grow a business line, influence company direction, and create a lasting impact within the water sector.
Key Responsibilities
Practice Leadership
- Lead the strategic growth and direction of the water/wastewater practice.
- Develop and execute business plans, growth initiatives, and market expansion strategies.
- Help establish the firm's presence within municipal and utility markets.
Business Development & Client Management
- Build and maintain relationships with municipalities, utilities, agencies, and other key stakeholders.
- Identify and pursue new project opportunities.
- Lead client development efforts, proposals, presentations, and contract negotiations.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients and industry partners.
Project & Technical Leadership
- Provide executive oversight and technical guidance for planning, design, and construction projects.
- Support delivery of water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater infrastructure projects.
- Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to high-quality standards.
- Provide senior-level expertise in utility infrastructure planning, asset management, conveyance systems, treatment facilities, rehabilitation, and capital improvement programs.
Team Building & Mentorship
- Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering and technical staff.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
- Support succession planning and long-term organizational growth.
Strategic Growth
- Evaluate market trends, funding opportunities, regulatory drivers, and emerging technologies.
- Collaborate with executive leadership on long-range business objectives.
- Help expand service offerings and strengthen market presence.
Industry Engagement
- Represent the firm through participation in professional organizations, conferences, and industry events.
- Maintain awareness of evolving industry trends, regulations, and best practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in CA required.
- 15+ years of experience in consulting engineering with a focus on water, wastewater, stormwater, or utility infrastructure.
- Demonstrated success leading teams, managing projects, and developing client relationships.
- Experience growing a practice, business unit, regional operation, or market sector strongly preferred.
- Established network within municipal, utility, industrial, or regulatory communities.
- Strong understanding of utility planning, hydraulic modeling, infrastructure design, and rehabilitation programs.
- Experience overseeing multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex infrastructure projects.
- Excellent communication, leadership, business development, and project management skills.
Why This Opportunity?
- 100% remote flexibility
- Executive-level leadership role
- Significant autonomy to shape and grow the water/wastewater business
- Opportunity to build a team and establish a long-term market presence
- Direct access to senior leadership and strategic decision-making
- Strong organizational support, resources, and investment for growth
- Ability to create a lasting impact within a growing engineering practice
- Compensation: $200,000 - $300,000, based on experience
This opportunity is ideal for a senior water industry professional who is interested in moving beyond project delivery and taking ownership of the growth, strategy, and future direction of a water/wastewater practice.
FAQs
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