Client Program Leader (CPL)

AE2S (Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC); Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

ESOP ownership

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Disability insurance

PTO

Paid parental leave

Job summary

AE2S in Des Moines, IA seeks a Client Program Leader to strengthen municipal partnerships, expand our regional presence, and deliver water, wastewater, and water resource infrastructure solutions.

You will lead client experience, growth, and long-term relationships across Iowa, coordinating with Operations Managers, Practice Leaders, and project teams to align services with client needs and drive high-quality delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering, business, or related field.
• Minimum of 8+ years of leadership experience in engineering, consulting, or public infrastructure programs.
• Experience with consulting, utility management, public works, or related sectors is preferred.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with municipal, utility, and public-sector decision makers.
• Strong communication, strategic planning, collaboration, and client-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Iowa market growth strategy, annual goals, and action plans.
• Develop and maintain client relationships with municipalities, districts, and utilities across Iowa.
• Support project delivery, staffing decisions, and resource alignment to client needs.
• Represent AE2S at conferences, associations, and client events in Iowa.
• Collaborate with operations and practice leaders to align services with client needs.
• Manage pursuit activities, proposal strategy, and Go/No-Go decisions.
• Ensure high client satisfaction and long-term partnerships through proactive engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Client management

Communication

Travel Iowa

Public sector familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Client Program Leader - Des Moines, IA

AE2S is seeking a Client Program Leader to strengthen client partnerships, expand our regional presence, and help special districts and utilities deliver critical water, wastewater, and water resource infrastructure solutions.

AE2S is seeking a Client Program Leader to strengthen client partnerships, expand our regional presence, and help special districts and utilities deliver critical water, wastewater, and water resource infrastructure solutions.

This role is ideal for a relationship-focused leader with experience in consulting, municipal utilities, special districts, public works, or public infrastructure programs. The right candidate will understand how Iowa municipalities plan, fund, permit, and deliver utility infrastructure, and will enjoy building trusted, face-to-face client relationships.

This is not a traditional sales role. The Client Program Leader is a senior market and relationship leader who helps AE2S understand client needs, align technical resources, support high-quality project delivery, and grow long-term partnerships across Iowa.

Responsibilities

The Iowa Client Program Leader is responsible for client experience, strategic growth, business development, market awareness, and long-term relationship development across the state.

This role partners closely with Operations Managers, Practice Leaders, Project Managers, Client Managers, and technical experts to deliver consulting services in water supply, storage, treatment, conveyance, wastewater, stormwater, and related infrastructure for cities, towns, special districts, and regional utility providers.

Client Relationships And Experience

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with municipalities, special districts, public works departments, utility authorities, and regional water/wastewater providers.
• Maintain a strong local presence through regular in-person client engagement.
• Lead proactive client feedback efforts to support high satisfaction, long-term partnerships, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as an escalation point for client concerns and help drive timely resolution.

Strategic Growth and Market Leadership

• Develop and maintain a long-term growth vision for the Iowa market, supported by annual goals and action plans.
• Lead Client Action Planning to deepen relationships, understand client needs, and expand AE2S service offerings.
• Stay informed on Iowa funding trends, regulatory and permitting requirements, legislative developments, and infrastructure initiatives.
• Support strategic decisions around staffing, office presence, technical resources, and market positioning.

Business Development and Pursuit Management

• Identify and prioritize opportunities aligned with client needs and AE2S strategy.
• Maintain visibility into the Iowa sales pipeline, opportunity tracking, and forecasting.
• Support Go/No-Go decisions, capture planning, proposal strategy, and pursuit positioning.
• Coordinate local and firm-wide resources to support key pursuits and client opportunities.

Collaboration and Industry Presence

• Partner with AE2S technical, operations, and practice leaders to align services with client needs.
• Share market intelligence, client feedback, and teaming opportunities with internal stakeholders.
• Represent AE2S at Iowa-based conferences, association meetings, client events, and industry forums.
• Maintain involvement in organizations such as Iowa Water Environment Association, Iowa Rural Water Association, American Water Works Association Iowa Chapter, and similar groups.

Project Delivery and Technical Engagement

• Remain connected to project delivery and your area of technical or professional expertise.
• Support selected projects, programs, planning efforts, or client initiatives to stay current with client needs and AE2S service delivery.
• Bring practical, credible insight into client conversations through continued engagement with project work.

What Sets You Apart

• You are a trusted advisor clients rely on for insight, follow-through, and results.
• You understand how public agencies, utilities, special districts, and consulting teams work together to deliver infrastructure.
• You enjoy being visible in the market and building relationships face-to-face.
• You communicate clearly, collaborate naturally, and lead with integrity.
• You think strategically while maintaining a strong bias for action.
• You are energized by helping communities solve complex water, wastewater, and stormwater challenges.

Why AE2S

Build Your Future. Protect What Matters.

AE2S is a 100% Employee-Owned engineering consulting firm focused on solving complex water and infrastructure challenges. In the role, you will have the opportunity to make a national impact while helping communities create safe, sustainable, and resilient water systems.

Compensation And Total Rewards

At AE2S, compensation extends beyond base pay and includes opportunities to share in both individual and company success through:

• Discretionary bonus opportunities
• Employee ownership through the ESOP
• Matching 401(k) contributions

Industry-Leading Family Benefits

AE2S believes financial security extends beyond salary alone. Our comprehensive benefits program includes:

• 100-percent company-paid family health Insurance
• 100-percent company-paid employee dental and vision insurance
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including credits for prior experience
• Paid parental leave

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in leadership within the engineering industry.
• Experience in consulting, utility management, public works, special district leadership, or public infrastructure programs.
• Background in one or more of the following areas:
• Water supply, storage, treatment, and distribution
• Wastewater collection and treatment
• Stormwater, flood management, or water resources
• Capital improvement planning or utility infrastructure delivery
• Program management, funding strategy, permitting, or public-sector infrastructure planning
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with municipal, utility, special district, public works, or public-sector decision makers.
• Experience identifying client needs, shaping project or program opportunities, and supporting organizational growth.
• Experience with project delivery, capital planning, proposal development, funding strategy, public procurement, or client management.
• Strong communication, strategic planning, collaboration, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to travel within Iowa for client meetings, project discussions, conferences, and industry engagement.
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Physical Qualifications

• Ability to walk up to 3-miles on uneven terrain
• Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Occasionally climb, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist
• Occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull light to moderate amounts of weightMay require lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds, with rare lifting of up to 50 pounds
• Ability to inspect equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• May be required to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including but not limited to, flame resistant clothing, hard hat, and protective footwear
• May require occasional evenings and weekends with overtime expectations varying with workload
• May be required to travel to off-site locations including occasional overnight stays out of town

AE2S is an Equal Opportunity / Affinity Action / Disability Employer