Associate Project Director, Water Infrastructure, for COWI in North America

COWI; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 160,800 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangement

5 weeks vacation to start

Paid sick leave

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) contribution matching

Personal and professional development fund

Parking or public transit allowance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

COWI seeks an experienced Associate Project Director – Water Infrastructure in Oakland, California. This full-time position involves managing major water infrastructure projects and leading multidisciplinary teams to ensure quality and performance. You will also maintain client relationships with California public water agencies and contribute to business growth in the Los Angeles/Long Beach market.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, a PE license, and extensive experience managing complex water infrastructure projects. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement with competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, Master’s preferred.
• 15+ years of experience delivering water infrastructure projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain in California.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex water infrastructure projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with California public water agencies.
• Contribute to business development as a seller-doer.

Job description

Associate Project Director – Water Infrastructure

Regular, Full-Time. Hybrid. California, West Coast.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced project leader to manage the delivery of major water infrastructure projects while contributing to business growth across key clients. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage scope, schedule, budget, and quality, and maintain strong relationships with California public water agencies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex water infrastructure projects, ensuring performance across scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk management.
• Build and maintain close relationships with California public water agencies (e.g., MWD, SFPUC, DWR), acting as a trusted client partner and positioning for repeat work.
• Contribute to business development as a seller‑doer by identifying opportunities, supporting proposals, and helping grow the pipeline across the Los Angeles / Long Beach market.
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, aligning technical resources and providing direction, with indirect responsibility for team performance.
• Provide technical oversight across water and heavy civil infrastructure projects, including conveyance systems, hydraulic structures, flood control, and dams (design or CM experience is considered an asset).
• Mentor and support team capability while ensuring compliance with quality standards, project controls, and COWI’s delivery and governance frameworks.
• Engage with and support COWI’s business development and technical teams across North America and globally to ensure the success of the company as a whole.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred) with 15+ years of experience delivering water infrastructure and heavy civil projects, particularly within California.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license (or ability to obtain in California), with demonstrated technical credibility across water conveyance, hydraulic structures, flood control, dams, and related infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex infrastructure projects as a Project Manager or Project Director, with an established presence in the Los Angeles / Long Beach market.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multidisciplinary water infrastructure projects with full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and commercial performance within California public works frameworks.
• Experience working with California public water agencies (e.g., MWD, SFPUC, DWR), including client relationship management, contract negotiations, and delivering high levels of client satisfaction.
• Demonstrated success in financial and commercial performance, including managing project margins, mitigating risk, and securing follow‑on work and repeat business.
• Experience operating in a seller‑doer capacity, contributing to business development, supporting proposals, growing market presence on the West Coast, and mentoring and coordinating project teams.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangement; 5 weeks vacation to start; floating holiday.
• Paid sick leave; medical, dental, and vision insurance with 80% employer‑paid premiums.
• 401(k) contribution matching with generous company match.
• Personal and professional development fund.
• Parking or public transit allowance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP); STD, LTD, AD&D, and life insurance.
• Referral incentive program; frequent social events.
• Base compensation: $160,800 to $240,000 for Long Beach, San Diego, and Oakland.

Equal Opportunity Employer

COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, COWI complies with applicable state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.