Western Canada Solid Waste Lead

hdr; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consulting firm is seeking a professional to lead their Solid Waste Market Sector team in Western Canada. The candidate will manage solid waste projects, develop client relationships, and oversee business growth initiatives. A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, including project management, is required. Strong communication and strategic planning skills are essential for this role, along with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and a recognized professional engineering license.

Qualifications

• 10 years related experience required.
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience.
• Professional engineering license recognized in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Lead the growth of the Solid Waste Market Sector in Western Canada.
• Manage solid waste projects and client relationships.
• Identify and develop service opportunities in Western Canada.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship development

Communication

Strategic planning

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe waste is more than management, it’s also an opportunity to innovate. As part of our Waste sector, you’ll help shape solid waste infrastructure and environmental stewardship. With a top-tier industry ranking, our team delivers comprehensive solutions that span waste planning, remediation, engineering and implementation. You’ll collaborate closely with clients and communities to design sustainable, cost-effective systems that contribute to cleaner environments and healthier communities. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive meaningful changes in the waste industry and build a legacy of sustainability.

The Waste Sector in HDR is experiencing significant growth and opportunities in both the planning and facilities engineering space throughout North America. HDR provides solid waste consulting services across Canada, with a majority of this work in Ontario. However, we also have a strong history of providing value-added and niche services to select clients across Canada. An exciting career opportunity is now available to lead the continued growth of our Solid Waste Market Sector team in Canada. We have a need for a person looking to lead and build a team of professionals, with skills as a seller-doer, and an industry professional that can make a difference in the market. Our Waste Sector team is working towards further enhancing our services offered such as circular economy, solid waste management planning, facilities design, strategic communication, public education, advisory services, organics, extended producer responsibility, and zero waste planning. HDR has been providing these services to clients throughout North America with several new opportunities in front of us. We could be, and should be doing more, and we expect that the right person in this role will enhance and grow our service offerings across Canada, growing our market share and while also providing technical leadership within the sector. With the right person in the role, it is anticipated that the marketplace will be supported by additional hires and other staff who have an interest in waste. In addition, the right person can also play a key role in advancing and supporting our Waste Sector across North America through the application of their technical leadership.

Primary Responsibilities

The candidate must have a strong background in solid waste services pertaining to the waste market sector. The position will involve working closely with HDR Resources and Waste Sector leadership to drive program development in Western Canada. Provide HDR with senior consulting and project management leadership in the Waste Sector, managing both planning and engineering related projects and developing client relationships. You will report to the Canadian Solid Waste Market Sector Lead and will play a leading role in developing HDR’s Western Canadian waste presence. You are expected to establish client relationships through networking, develop leads, and be able to think strategically in future directions for both our clients and programs. It also includes identifying market changes and anticipating their impact to the business, pre-proposal visitations, and supporting proposal preparation with technical and marketing staff by providing client-centric input and feedback. You are expected to have excellent communication skills, especially in writing as well as giving presentations. You will play a crucial role in growing a solid waste team in Western Canada.

• Possess and maintain a deep understanding of how clients perceive their technical problems and have the ability to package HDR expertise as solutions to these problems.
• Senior Project Manager for waste related projects (seller-doer).
• Works with Canadian Solid Waste Market Sector Lead to develop business and marketing initiatives, prioritize business efforts that provide maximum return on investment.
• Have a significant network within the solid waste community and leverage existing connections to gain business opportunities for HDR.
• Identify and develop opportunities in Western Canada to expand services to clients.
• Provide local support for existing Western Canadian clients and projects, and maintain existing client relationships for continued business growth.
• Champion a quality-culture within the sector organization, and within production teams, serving the sector’s clients.
• Act as client manager for select clients, actively developing relationships with the candidate’s previous contacts and HDR’s existing clients.
• Assist with Western US projects and pursuits on an as‑needed basis.
• Familiar with risk management activities for both contract reviews and project deliverables.
• Directs the technical messaging and professional attendance at professional organizations and industry events.
• Identify future staff needs and lead the process of attracting and hiring staff to build team to support project work in Western Canada.
• Able to travel across North America as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years working with regulatory and approval/permitting agencies, writing proposals, developing scopes of work, budgets, and schedules for complex waste projects. Experience with managing a team of people is an essential asset.
• Experienced in development and management of strategic marketing programs for planning and/or engineering services.
• Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits.
• Experienced in overall staff development to include recruiting, career path and professional growth.
• Experienced with industry associations and maintains a visible profile in the market sector.
• Ability to work cooperatively with Regional Market Sector Directors, Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Directors, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers and Area Managers.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills for a broad range of audiences.
• Strong conceptual, organizational, analytical, problem solving and research abilities.
• Ability to support multiple complex and time sensitive projects effectively.
• Identify and resolve issues effectively and efficiently.
• Recognize and understand big picture concepts while recognizing details that are important.
• Fostering collaborative team attitudes.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Able to work under and meet tight deadlines.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 10 years related experience.
• A minimum 5 years project management experience.
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (e.g., Professional Engineer (PE or P.E.) license).
• MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience would be plus).
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other’s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino (a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.