California Waste Business Development Leader

HDR; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Short and long-term disability

Life insurance

Employee assistance program

Paid time away

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Retirement plan with employer match

Employee referral bonus

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HDR is seeking a California Waste Business Development Leader to drive market opportunities, cultivate client relationships, and coordinate cross-team efforts in the Waste sector. The role focuses on strategic growth across California through partnerships and targeted client development plans.

With 10+ years in the industry, you will leverage HDR resources to win contracts, mentor teams, and maintain knowledge of the evolving business environment. Travel to key clients is expected.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of industry experience in A/E/C or related sectors.
• Ability to win new business and develop client relationships.
• Strong negotiation and financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Drive market opportunities for California Waste sector.
• Develop and implement client development plans and strategies.
• Lead key client relationships and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with leadership to shape market strategies and initiatives.
• Represent HDR at industry events and conferences.

Skills

Self-starter

Client networking

Sales strategy

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.
In the role of the California Waste Business Development Leader, we will count on you to:

• Collaborate with Area Market Sector Leader, Regional Business Development Leader, and Practice Leadership to ensure that local teams are driving market opportunities within the Sector growth by leveraging all service lines.
• Strategic growth of California by identifying market sector opportunities and implementing plans to capture additional opportunities and markets.
• Coordinate with Area Market Sector Leads, Area RBG Managers, Practice Leaders, and local areas to develop a team that is coordinated and focused on driving the market sector with key clients and client opportunities at a regional level.
• Track market changes through client/industry involvement and be the primary holder of our image/reputation. Attend state waste and industry related conferences.
• Develop and collaborate on a Waste approach for Client Development Plans, inclusive of a system to track/monitor progress of these plans.
• Serve as Manager for select key clients.
• Possesses & maintain knowledge of client needs, plans, current and trending business environment, and their assessment of HDR in order to anticipate, track and capture contract assignments.
• Develop and maintain relationships with strategic teaming partners (inclusive of General Contractors) who are key to the success of the Sector.
• Identify key talent in the Waste market and assist with recruitment of identified talent including key staff retention.
• Leverage existing HDR resources to provide full cross sector and multi business class collaboration for targeted clients.
• Collaborate with the Area and Regional Waste Sector Leadership Management Team. Assist in developing market strategies, strategic initiatives, and business development.
• Work with local area leadership to identify market opportunities, create relationships, and grow the Waste Sector.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a related field.
• Maintain a professional or engineering registration/ certificate or have related technical experience.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience
• Demonstrated "self-starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight
• Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others
• Demonstrated ability to build a network of clients and industry partners
• Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies
• Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in-person
• Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff

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.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.). The expected pay range for this position in California (based on experience and location) is $131,131 - $215,430.

Primary Location:United States-California-Folsom Other Locations:United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Long Beach, United States-California-San Diego, United States-California-Irvine, United States-California-Sacramento Industry:Waste Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Waste Services Job Posting:Aug 18, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative 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.