Program Director - Water Infrastructure

Shape the Future of Water in the Midwest

An industry-leading engineering and consulting firm is seeking an experienced Program Director to lead some of the region's most significant water and wastewater infrastructure initiatives. This is a unique opportunity to oversee major capital improvement programmes that are transforming how communities manage, treat, and protect their water resources for future generations.

You'll have the opportunity to guide complex, high-profile projects that combine traditional infrastructure delivery with emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and long-term resilience planning. If you're passionate about building teams, driving innovation, and leaving a lasting impact on communities, this is a role where your expertise will be recognised and your influence felt.

Based in the Kansas City area, this position offers the chance to work alongside some of the industry's most respected professionals while helping deliver solutions that enhance public health, environmental stewardship, and system reliability.

What You'll Do

As Program Director, you will provide strategic leadership for large-scale water and wastewater programmes from planning through execution. You'll serve as the driving force behind programme performance, client relationships, and long-term growth initiatives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establish and execute the strategic vision for major water infrastructure programmes.
• Lead the successful delivery of complex capital projects while maintaining schedule, budget, and quality objectives.
• Champion innovative approaches including advanced treatment technologies, digital infrastructure solutions, asset management systems, and sustainable design practices.
• Build, mentor, and inspire multidisciplinary teams across engineering, project management, and technical disciplines.
• Partner closely with municipal clients, utility leaders, regulatory agencies, and key stakeholders to achieve programme goals.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance, enhance resilience, and maximise community value through technology and innovation.
• Support business development efforts by strengthening existing client relationships and pursuing new opportunities.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate combines strong technical understanding with executive-level leadership experience and a proven track record of delivering complex infrastructure programmes.

You will likely possess:

• Extensive experience leading large water, wastewater, or wet weather infrastructure programmes.
• Strong financial, operational, and strategic management capabilities.
• Experience overseeing significant capital improvement programmes valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
• Knowledge of innovative water technologies, advanced treatment processes, digital water systems, data-driven decision making, and sustainable infrastructure solutions.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A recognised ability to lead teams, develop talent, and create a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Strong client-facing experience with demonstrated success in relationship management and business development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• 13+ years of relevant consulting, engineering, programme management, or infrastructure delivery experience (15+ years preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience managing major capital programmes, preferably within the water or wastewater sector.
• Strong background in project execution, contract negotiations, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and client coordination.
• Proven ability to drive programme performance and achieve financial objectives.
• Excellent organisational, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities.
• Advanced understanding of project management principles, methodologies, and software tools.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Lead projects that have a lasting impact on communities and the environment.
• Influence the future direction of major water infrastructure investments.
• Work with recognised industry leaders on complex, high-visibility programmes.
• Access significant opportunities for career advancement and professional growth.
• Help deliver innovative solutions that define the next generation of water infrastructure.

If you're interested in leading transformational water programmes and making a meaningful impact across the Kansas City region, we'd welcome the opportunity to discuss this role further.