Area Drinking Water Market Sector Leader (KY/TN)

HDR; Elizabethtown (KY); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consulting firm is seeking a Drinking Water Market Sector Lead in Kentucky/Tennessee. In this full-time role, the incumbent will oversee the growth of the Drinking Water Market Sector, collaborating with local and national leadership to drive initiatives. Candidates should have over 15 years of leadership experience in drinking water management and hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering. This position offers a chance to make significant contributions to public health and environmental sustainability.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of Drinking Water leadership experience including supervisory experience.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Professional Engineer licensed.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Experience with staff development including recruiting and career path.
• Active involvement with industry associations and visibility in the market sector.
• Ability to collaborate with Regional Market Sector Directors and Area leadership.
• Demonstrated commitment to HDR values and employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and growth of the Drinking Water Market Sector.
• Implement DW MS strategic initiatives for Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
• Partner with WBG leadership to manage project staffing.
• Serve as Project Manager for key DW MS projects.
• Partner with Area WBG leadership to manage staffing and workloads.
• Mentor staff development across KY/TN/AR.
• Coordinate involvement in DW professional organizations.
• Work with national/area/local leaders on strategic initiatives.
• Serve as Project Manager for key DW MS projects with strategic clients.
• Provide technical quality reviews for DW MS clients.
• Lead recruitment for DW MS staff.
• Lead Area alignment initiatives with Regional MS Leadership.

Skills

Strategic and planning skills

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Stakeholder mgmt

Project management

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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 water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. By helping us deliver safe drinking water, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

HDR has an excellent career opportunity in our Kentucky/Tennessee Area for a professional to lead the development and growth of our Drinking Water Market Sector (MS). The KY/TN Drinking Water Market Sector Lead (MSL) is a professional passionate about protecting public health and well-versed in the “One Water” concept and the inherent synergies among the drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater markets. We are looking for someone who will work collaboratively with local and national leadership to set the vision and strategy to expand and provide research, planning, design, and engineering services to drinking water agencies, related clients in other sectors, and relevant research organizations.

The KY/TN Drinking Water MSL will report to the Area Water Business Group (WBG) Manager and partner with our Area Business Development Manager, Professional Services Lead, Project Delivery Lead, Client Managers, Project Managers, Business Class Leads, and technical staff to support Drinking Water MS business development and project delivery in the area. The Drinking Water MSL will also be expected to engage with regional and national Drinking Water Market Sector Directors to align on strategic priorities and establish initiatives.

In the role of Area Drinking Water Market Sector Leader, we'll count on you to:

Primary responsibilities

• Partner with the KY/TN/AR WBG Business Development Manager and Regional DW Market Sector Leader for DW Market Sector activities such as planning and strategizing for growth
• Lead the implementation of the DW MS strategic initiatives for Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas
• Responsible for growth of the DW MS for the Area
• Lead area-level market sector communications (to DW Project Managers and DW technical leads) as it is passed down from high-level leadership
• Partner with Area WBG leadership to manage project staffing, workload and technical development of staff
• Serve as mentor for the development of skills for drinking water staff across the KY/TN/AR Area
• Coordinate a strategy and engagement in DW professional organizations
• Partner with national, area, and local BC leaders for planning and implementation of strategic initiatives
• Serve as a Project Manager for key DW MS projects with strategic clients
• Serve as a technical resource through quality reviews for our DW MS clients
• Lead recruitment for DW MS staff for growth and delivery success
• Lead Area alignment initiatives with Regional MS Leadership

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years Drinking Water leadership experience including staff supervisory experience.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Professional Engineer licensed
• Strong strategic and planning skills
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• Preference given to local candidates

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering, planning or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of industry experience
• 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
• Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. 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.

Primary Location

United States-Kentucky-Louisville

Other Locations

United States-Tennessee-Memphis, United States-Kentucky-Paducah, United States-Tennessee-Chattanooga, United States-Kentucky-Lexington, United States-Tennessee-Nashville, United States-Kentucky-Elizabethtown

Industry

Water

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass

Water Treatment

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affimative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.