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

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

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks vacation

401K contribution matching

Annual fitness subsidy

Job summary

COWI is seeking an Associate Project Director for Water Infrastructure. This role will lead the delivery of complex projects across California, managing all aspects including scope, budget, and risk. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of experience with California water authorities, a PE license, and be well-versed in client engagement.

Benefits include a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a thriving team environment. Join us to create impactful solutions for water infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience delivering water infrastructure projects in California.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain in California.
• Demonstrated success in managing multidisciplinary water infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of water infrastructure projects.
• Build relationships with California public water agencies.
• Mentor and support team capability while ensuring compliance with quality standards.

Skills

Project Management

Client Relationship Management

Business Development

Team Leadership

Risk Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Job description

Associate Project Director - Water Infrastructure

Long Beach, San Diego, Oakland

Regular, Full-Time

Hybrid

Do you want to play a pivotal role in expanding a growing water infrastructure business on the West Coast? Are you an experienced project leader who can both secure and deliver work? And do you bring deep experience working with California water authorities on complex, heavy civil infrastructure projects?

Then join us to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow.

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 through guidance 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

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
• Demonstrated 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

About the Role

Like us, you believe that leadership growth comes from setting a clear and meaningful direction for your team and supporting them in taking ownership of their work. You always delegate responsibility and ensure an open and safe dialogue, and you coach your people to achieve their aspirations through constructive, fact-based feedback. Attracting and nurturing a diverse group of high-potential team members is at the top of your agenda, as is creating an inclusive, caring, and trusting culture in your team.

Benefits

Being part of the COWI community offers more than just a competitive salary. We take care of our people both professionally and personally.

Flexible working arrangement | Top-up parental and childbirth recovery leave | Fantastic close-knit team with a wealth of knowledge to share | Full time hires get 5 weeks vacation to start |Floating holiday to celebrate employee diversity | Paid sick leave | Annual fitness subsidy - yes, you can use this for a ski pass, yoga, or gym membership | 401K contribution matching with generous company match | Personal and professional development fund | Parking or public transit allowance | Medical, dental, and vision insurance 80% employer-paid premiums | 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. Actual compensation is subject to variations due to education, experience, skill set, and location.

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.