Associate Director, Water-Wastewater

PRIME AE Group, Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible career paths

People-first culture

Meaningful work

Strategic growth opportunities

Job summary

A leading architecture and engineering firm is seeking an experienced Associate Director to oversee the Water/Wastewater practice in Ohio. In this role, you will lead significant public infrastructure projects, manage and mentor teams, and strengthen client relationships. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience in environmental engineering and demonstrated business development skills with public-sector clients. Join a collaborative team dedicated to improving communities through meaningful work.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in water resources, wastewater, or environmental engineering.
• 3-5 years in project or functional leadership roles.
• Strong technical project delivery experience in planning, design, and modeling.

Responsibilities

• Lead the pursuit and proposal development for water/wastewater projects.
• Manage and mentor project teams.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership for delivery.

Skills

Business development

Project leadership

Water resources knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

Team management

Education

B.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) Registration in Ohio

Job description

We Make Everything Around Us Better

At PRIME AE, that’s not a slogan, it’s how we work.

Every bridge, building, campus, park, and roadway we design exists to improve how people live, move, learn, and connect. Through architecture, engineering, planning, and consulting, we partner with clients to create thoughtful, practical solutions that leave communities stronger than we found them. If you want your work to matter, and to be surrounded by smart, collaborative people who care about doing things the right way, you’ll feel at home here.

Who We Are:

PRIME AE Group, Inc. ( www.primeeng.com ) is a nationally ranked, full-service architecture and engineering firm driven by collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to strengthening the communities we serve. With a growing footprint of offices across the country and a diverse team of more than 550 professionals, we partner with public and private sector clients to deliver thoughtful, high-impact solutions across transportation, education, healthcare, municipal, federal, commercial, and recreational markets.

Our culture blends entrepreneurial energy with the resources of a scaled, multidisciplinary platform—giving our people the opportunity to shape meaningful projects while influencing the future direction of the firm. As PRIME AE continues to expand its capabilities, geographic reach, and leadership bench, this is an exciting time to join a team that is building momentum, investing in growth, and empowering leaders to make a lasting impact.

The Opportunity:

We’re seeking an experienced Associate Director – Water/Wastewater to help shape and expand PRIME AE’s Water | Wastewater practice across Ohio. This role offers the opportunity to lead significant public infrastructure projects, strengthen client relationships, and help grow a high‑performing regional team.

We’ll collaborate closely with our established offices, drive business development efforts, and ensure delivery excellence across a wide range of water and wastewater projects.

What You’ll Do:

Join our expanding Water | Wastewater practice as the Associate Director overseeing the growth and delivery of engineering services in central and southern Ohio. You will support the business development, operations, and technical leadership of water and wastewater projects, focusing on public‑sector clients, while working in close collaboration with our existing teams in Ohio and Kentucky.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the pursuit of new water/wastewater opportunities, including public clients (municipal, state, federal), from Go/No-Go decision through proposal development and project execution.
• Manage and mentor project teams delivering water distribution systems, wastewater collection/treatment, pump stations, stormwater infrastructure, and water quality initiatives.
• Provide technical oversight and project leadership: review scope, budgets, schedules, deliverables, quality control, and client engagements.
• Coordinate with marketing, operations, and regional leadership to shape and execute business development strategies in the Ohio/Kentucky market.
• Maintain and grow client relationships, influence long‑term program wins, and represent the firm in industry associations and stakeholder engagements.
• Drive staff recruitment and development for the practice area, support team growth, promote technical excellence, and ensure consistent operational standards.

What You’ll Bring

• B.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering (M.S. preferred).
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in Ohio or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Minimum of 12+ years of experience in water resources, wastewater, or environmental engineering, with at least 3–5 years in project or functional leadership.
• Demonstrated business development experience with public‑sector water/wastewater clients and an established network of contacts.
• Strong technical project delivery experience including planning, design, modeling (H/H, stormwater, sewer), regulatory compliance, and system improvements.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills; ability to manage multiple priorities, lead teams, and engage clients effectively.

Why PRIME AE:

We don’t just fill positions; we invest in people.

At PRIME AE, you’ll find a supportive, flexible environment where careers are built intentionally, not accidentally. You’ll work on projects that improve everyday life, alongside colleagues who challenge and respect one another.

What sets us apart:

• Career Growth: Flexible career paths across disciplines, from technical expertise to project and people leadership.
• People‑First Culture: We value trust, integrity, and collaboration, and we mean it.
• Meaningful Work: Projects that strengthen communities, infrastructure, and public spaces.
• Growth with Purpose: Strategic expansion backed by strong leadership and investment.
• National Reach, Local Feel: Big‑firm resources with the agility and relationships of local offices.

Our Commitment:

PRIME AE Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment where differences are respected, voices are heard, and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.