Department Leader - Water Services

Verdantas; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 135,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Verdantas is looking for a Leader of the MidAtlantic Water Services Department to expand operations across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. This senior role requires strategic vision and technical oversight for multidisciplinary design teams serving public and private clients.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, 15+ years of experience, and a proven track record in business development and client management. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $135,000 to $195,000.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in water-related planning, design, and project delivery.
• Demonstrated success in business development and client management.
• Experience leading teams across multiple states and offices.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision for regional Water Services practice.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for clients.
• Monitor performance against key metrics.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Business acumen

Client service

Technical oversight

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Job description

Verdantas is seeking a dynamic, growth-minded Leader of the MidAtlantic Water Services Department to guide and expand our water practice across the Northeast area. While the primary geographic focus will be Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, this role will also provide technical leadership and strategic support to teams serving the New England market.

This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing multiple multidisciplinary design teams delivering clean water, wastewater, flood control, and stormwater management solutions to public and private sector clients.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and proven people leader with strong business acumen, a passion for client service, and a track record of achieving sustainable growth and operational excellence.

What You'll Do:

Practice Leadership & Strategy

• Provide vision, direction, and leadership for the regional Water Services practice, aligning technical delivery with business and growth objectives
• Develop and execute regional growth strategies, including market positioning, client targeting, and service line expansion
• Partner with regional leadership to establish and achieve annual revenue, backlog, utilization, and profitability goals

Client Management & Business Development

• Serve as a trusted advisor and senior point of contact for key clients across municipal, utility, industrial, and private sectors
• Lead and support business development efforts, including pursuit strategy, teaming, proposal development, and interviews
• Strengthen long-term client relationships and expand existing accounts through exceptional service and value-driven solutions

Technical & Project Oversight

• Provide technical leadership and quality oversight for water, wastewater, flood control, and stormwater management projects
• Support project managers and design teams with complex technical challenges, risk management, and QA/QC process
• Promote innovation, best practices, and consistent design standards across regional teams
• Lead, mentor, and develop multiple design and project delivery teams across offices and geographic areas
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, professional development, and work-life balance
• Support hiring, succession planning, and talent development to meet current and future workload demands

Operational & Performance Management

• Monitor and drive performance against key metrics, including financial results, project delivery, client satisfaction, and staff utilization
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and continuous improvement across the practice
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, licensing standards, and company policies

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred)
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• 15 or more years of progressive experience in water-related planning, design, and project delivery
• 15 or more years of experience in the engineering/professional services industry
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams, projects, and client portfolios
• Proven success in business development, client management, and achieving growth and performance goals
• Experience supporting or leading water programs across multiple states and offices
• Strong understanding of public-sector procurement, utility operations, and water market infrastructure funding mechanisms
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Established client relationships within Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and/or New England
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary teams (water, environmental, resilience, civil/site)

Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is $135,000 - $195,000, with final compensation determined based on years of experience, qualifications, and licensing

Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet