Client Manager - Water and Wastewater Utilities

Woodard & Curran; California; Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Company ownership opportunities

Job summary

Woodard & Curran is seeking a high-energy Client Manager to lead sales for outsourced water and wastewater operations. The role focuses on building relationships with municipal and industrial clients, crafting proposals, and closing multi-year contracts.

Expect up to 75% travel and flexible work arrangements near California offices. You will leverage a strong network and storytelling ability to articulate our value, while collaborating with engineering and operations teams to deliver outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10–15 years of experience in the field or related area.
• Knowledge of O&M, Contract Operations, water, wastewater, and public works industry.
• Ability to prospect for leads and manage client accounts, guiding the sales process and negotiations for multi-million contracts.
• Membership and active participation in professional/technical associations.
• Frequent travel by car and air (up to 75%).

Responsibilities

• Sell the Vision: Build relationships with municipal leaders and others needing outsourced water solutions.
• Network: Attend conferences and raise awareness of our name and offerings.
• Seal the Deal: Craft proposals, negotiate contracts, and close long-term agreements.
• Be the Connector: Collaborate with operations, engineering, and technology teams for smooth handoffs.
• Stay in the Know: Monitor market trends and regulatory shifts to anticipate changes.

Skills

Sales leadership

Networking

Persuasive communication

Travel readiness

Storytelling

MBR vs SBR understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Woodard & Curran is an employee-owned engineering, science, and operations firm dedicated to clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports professional growth, flexibility, and meaningful work, empowering our employees to make a lasting impact on our clients, communities, and the planet.

Who We Are Looking For:

Woodard & Curran is a national water and environmental firm with a mission to keep communities and businesses running smoothly by providing top-tier outsourced Operations & Maintenance services. Our vision is: clean water, safe environment, healthy communities, happy people. We are passionate about clean water, efficient operations, and delivering on our mission & values. We bring the best and most creative teams to the problem, partnering with our clients to match their specific management and business challenges. If you are looking to join a team focused on innovating to provide custom solutions for the most challenging problems in water and the environment, this is the opportunity for you! Our team is growing, and we need a high-energy, well-connected sales leader to help us continue to make waves in the industry.

The Client Manager role is available in the following regions:

• California

Based on your location, you have the ability to be fully virtual, or if you are located near one of our office locations, you can organize a hybrid work arrangement. This role will require up to 75% travel.

• A sales pro with at least 10 years of experience in Contract Operations for water/wastewater utilities/industry, or a related field.
• Connections that count. A strong Outlook Contact list will be your secret weapon for success in this role.
• A persuasive personality – you can clearly articulate the value of our services in a casual way that connects with our target Clients.
• The ability to travel frequently (up to 75%), and charm clients in boardrooms, city halls, and trade shows.
• A knack for storytelling – you make technical details compelling and memorable.
• Someone who knows the difference between MBR and SBR, and can explain it without breaking a sweat!

What's in it for you?

• Purpose: Make a difference in the world by ensuring communities and businesses have reliable water solutions.
• Flexibility: Open to virtual or flexible work arrangements with travel to meet clients.
• Team Spirit: Collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
• Competitive Pay: Salary, commissions, and strong bonus potential.
• Perks: Health benefits, retirement plans, company ownership opportunities.

If you're ready to dive in and help us shape the future of water and wastewater operations, we'd love to hear from you.

What You Will Be Doing at Woodard & Curran:

• Sell the Vision: Build relationships with decision-makers (think municipal leaders, industrial moguls, and anyone else who needs outsourced water/wastewater solutions). Convince them that we are the best thing since reverse osmosis!
• Network Attend conferences, rub elbows with the who's who, and make sure everyone knows our name and yours.
• Seal the Deal: Craft proposals, negotiate contracts, and close long-term agreements of substance with a smile.
• Be the Connector: Collaborate with our operations, engineering, and technology teams to ensure seamless handoffs and happy clients.
• Stay in the Know: Keep your finger on the pulse of market trends, competitor moves, regulatory shifts, and new industry start-ups. If something’s changing, you should know before anyone else.

What You Will Need To Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 10 - 15 years of experience in the field or in a related area.
• Knowledge of O&M, Contract Operations, water, wastewater, and public works industry.
• Ability to prospect for leads and determine appropriate client management activities to capture, maintain, and grow client accounts. You will focus on conducting sales activities, leading co-workers through the sales process, identifying new offerings, performing negotiations, and supporting contracting for multi-million dollar contracts.
• Membership and active participation in professional/technical associations.
• Frequent travel by car and air (up to 75%).

• Water/Wastewater Operator certification, Professional Engineering registration, and/or other appropriate certification preferred.

$190,000 - $240,000 a year

The anticipated compensation range for this position is based on several factors, including the candidate’s qualifications, experience, education, skills, and primary work location. Final compensation will be determined based on these factors and adjusted, where applicable, by a geographic differential. Geographic differentials are percentage-based adjustments that reflect variations in labor market costs across locations. As a result, the compensation range for this position may vary depending on where the successful candidate is located and performs their work. The examples below illustrate how compensation for this role may differ across geographic markets. #LI-TB1

• Group A (MT, ME, FL) = $160,000 - $180,000
• Group B (PA, MA, MO, GA, RI, TX) = $180,000 - $200,000
• Group C (CT, CO, NJ, Andover/Canton MA, CA, NY) = $198,000 - $240,000

Woodard & Curran offers a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits & workplace policies visit Benefit & Policy Information - Woodard & Curran.

E-Verify Participation: Woodard & Curran participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we provide access to Right to Work & E-Verify postings.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility: Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

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