Client Service Manager - Water/Wastewater

Kennedy Jenks Consultants; Santa Clara (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Office days (2+ per week)

Job summary

Kennedy Jenks Consultants is seeking a Client Service Manager to drive market growth, lead client-facing activities, and oversee projects from strategy through delivery. You will nurture relationships, expand services, and guide teams to meet quality, scope, and profitability targets.

The role requires deep consulting judgment, strong communication, and the ability to balance client needs with business priorities. A hybrid work model with regular office presence supports collaboration and growth.

Qualifications

• Education in Engineering or related field; civil/environmental preferred.
• 10+ years in water/wastewater infrastructure consulting incl. business development.
• Knowledge of project delivery, financial performance, and proposals.
• PE license in California required.
• Must be willing to travel to project sites and Kennedy Jenks offices.

Responsibilities

• Grow client relationships and expand market presence.
• Oversee project delivery meeting quality, schedule, and budget goals.
• Lead client service teams and align resources with projects.
• Lead presentations, proposals, and pursuit strategy with partners.

Skills

Client relationships

Market growth

Leadership

Communication

Proposal development

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering/Science

Tools

CRM tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Client Service Manager

In this client-facing leadership role, you’ll work across client strategy, business development, team leadership, and project delivery.

What You’ll Do

• Drive market growth: Build client strategies that expand market presence, introduce services, identify opportunities, and support sales targets.
• Own project delivery: Oversee projects to meet quality, profitability, client satisfaction, scope, schedule, and budget goals while identifying follow‑on work.
• Lead and align teams: Coordinate client service teams, strengthen capabilities, and connect people to projects that support strong outcomes.
• Develop key relationships: Serve as a trusted advisor while leading presentations, proposals, and pursuit strategy with internal and external partners.

What Makes This Role Different

• Established foundation: Build on existing relationships, market traction, and KJ’s strong reputation.
• Entrepreneurial opportunity: Shape strategy, pursue opportunities, introduce services, and grow client service capabilities.
• Visible impact: Influence client growth, team development, and long‑term business success.

What You Bring

• Client and market insight: Ability to grow client relationships, lead accounts, recognize opportunities, and translate client needs into business development strategies.
• Consulting and technical judgment: Sound engineering judgment with the ability to balance client expectations, technical input, team capacity, and business priorities.
• Communication and collaboration: Strong writing, presentation, relationship‑building, and collaboration skills with clients and internal teams.
• Problem‑solving and execution: Ability to manage priorities, address project challenges, and support financial and operational goals.
• Tools, systems, or methods: Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and familiarity with Client Relationship Management (CRM) tools.
• Leadership approach: Collaborative, proactive, client‑focused, and comfortable leading through competing priorities.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, or related field; civil or environmental engineering preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years in water/wastewater infrastructure consulting, including business development, client service, and client account leadership.
• Knowledge: Project delivery, financial performance, proposal development, and water/wastewater consulting practices.
• Certifications or licenses: Professional Engineer (PE) license in California required.
• Travel: Ability to travel to project sites, client meetings, and Kennedy Jenks offices as needed.

Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work‑life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and achieve their full potential.

Salary Range for this position is anticipated to be between $180,000 and $250,000, depending on education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location.

Benefits summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a health savings account; a 401(k); bonus programs; tuition reimbursement; employee ownership opportunity; professional registration support; business travel assistance; competitive paid time off and holidays; an employee assistance program; and additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth.

Kennedy Jenks is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.