Drinking Water Market Sector Lead

HDR; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 152,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR's PA-OH-WV-DE Water team seeks a visionary Drinking Water Market Sector Leader to guide strategy and deliver high-impact infrastructure projects across the PA-OH-WV-DE area and beyond.

You’ll lead client development, pursue growth opportunities, mentor staff, and coordinate staffing with national experts while shaping HDR’s future in water treatment and public health protection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of industry experience.
• Experience in developing and managing strategic marketing programs for planning/engineering services.
• Experience managing client relationships and pursuing program opportunities.
• Experience with staff development, recruiting and career growth.
• Active involvement with industry associations and visible market presence.

Responsibilities

• Lead client development efforts and serve as trusted advisor to regional clients.
• Identify and pursue strategic growth opportunities across municipal and private water markets.
• Coordinate staffing plans and assist leadership with hires for the Water Business Group.
• Develop and implement Water Business Group initiatives and manage scope of work.
• Mentor staff, drive HDR's culture of innovation, and participate in industry leadership.
• Direct and oversee multi-discipline water infrastructure projects across HDR groups.

Skills

Strategic marketing programs

Client relationship management

Staff development

Industry networking

Cross-functional collaboration

HDR values

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Planning or related field

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 have an exciting opportunity for a visionary Drinking Water Market Sector Leader to help shape the future of water infrastructure in the PA-OH-WV-DE Area and beyond. This is an opportunity for a strategic leader who is passionate about protecting public health, advancing sustainable water solutions, and driving growth across the drinking water market. Working alongside local and national leadership, you will play a key role in expanding HDR’s presence, strengthening client partnerships, and delivering impactful projects that support communities for generations to come.

HDR’s PA-OH-WV-DE Water team is intentionally built differently. Our team combines emerging talent with experienced industry leaders, including several professionals who began their careers at HDR as interns and have grown into leadership roles. We bring together diverse perspectives and backgrounds from across the globe and the Northeast, creating a collaborative and innovative culture rooted in technical excellence, mentorship, and community impact. Joining HDR PA-OH-WV-DE means more than taking on a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to help shape a growing practice, influence the future of the industry, and leave a lasting mark on the communities where we live and work.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor and leader for key clients while guiding complex, multi-discipline projects from planning through delivery. You’ll help lead strategic pursuits, identify new opportunities for growth, and collaborate across HDR’s national network of technical experts and business leaders. Projects may include planning studies, design, financial analysis, operations support, alternative delivery, and major infrastructure improvements that directly improve resiliency, sustainability, and quality of life.

We are looking for a leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, technical excellence, and people development. You will mentor and inspire staff, strengthen HDR’s culture of innovation and collaboration, and help drive continuous improvement across project delivery and technical practices. This role also offers the opportunity to build a visible industry presence through leadership in professional organizations, conferences, and community initiatives.

In the role of Drinking Water Market Sector Leader, we’ll count on you to:

• Lead client development efforts and serve as a trusted advisor to key regional clients
• Identify and pursue strategic growth opportunities across municipal and private water markets
• Work as part of the PA-OH-WV-DE Water Business Group leadership team to coordinate staffing/recruiting plans for key hires and assist leadership as necessary with technical or project management hires.
• Work as part of the PA-OH-WV-DE Water Business Group leadership team to develop and implement Water Business Group-wide initiatives
• Identify technical gaps and support talent management and recruiting.
• Identity, develop and implement Drinking Water initiatives to PA-OH-WV-DE Area marketplace
• Participate in industry associations and serve as a company role-model in business and community organizations.
• Submit abstracts and present on topics of interest and strategic importance at local, state level, and national conferences.
• Develop relationships with industry counterparts in other consulting organizations
• In alignment and in support of our Client Managers, promote the Drinking Water market
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews for Drinking Water projects
• Serve as the Client Manager for selected key clients
• Direct and oversee complex, multi-discipline water infrastructure projects
• Collaborate across HDR business groups and national practice areas to expand services and capabilities
• Support the development of and provide reviews of scopes of work, fee estimate, project risk identification and project schedules.
• Promote HDR’s full suite of engineering, planning, and consulting services
• Build strong relationships with industry partners, organizations, and senior client leadership
• Mentor, recruit, and develop the next generation of water industry leaders
• Advance technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support project delivery, QA/QC, risk management, and operational performance
• Foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and work-sharing across teams and regions
• Represent HDR through industry organizations, conference presentations, and community leadership activities
• Take on impactful project management and leadership assignments that align with HDR’s long-term growth strategy

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering, planning or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of industry experience
• Experienced in development and management of strategic marketing programs for planning and/or engineering services
• Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits
• Experienced in overall staff development to include recruiting, career path and professional growth
• Experienced with industry associations and maintains a visible profile in the market sector
• Ability to work cooperatively with Regional Market Sector Directors, Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Directors, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers and Area Managers
• Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

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.)

Ohio:152,040 - 217,200

Primary Location: United States-Ohio-Cleveland

Other Locations: United States-Ohio-Cincinnati, United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, United States-Ohio-Columbus, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-Pennsylvania-Mechanicsburg, United States-Pennsylvania-Plymouth Meeting

Industry: Water

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Water Treatment

Job Posting: Aug 13, 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.