Talisman Advisory Partners is partnering with a globally renowned engineering and consulting firm to appoint a Water Leader for the Mid Atlantic. This is a market-facing leadership role for someone who combines deep engineering credibility, client trust, and commercial judgment to grow a water business across the Mid Atlantic / DMV, with strong connectivity to the firm's New York and New Jersey offices.
Primarily seeking a key leader who understand and prioritises clients across the District, Maryland, and Virginia. Leading technically, solving problems in an integrated way, and building long-term client partnerships.
The Opportunity
People leadership & team development
- Build and develop a high-performing water team in the D.C. office, aligned to priority clients and growth areas.
- Mentor emerging water engineering professionals and contribute to succession planning and long-term capability.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive environment that encourages innovation and knowledge sharing.
- Act as trusted advisor to major public-sector and institutional water clients across the DMV — utilities, municipalities, federal agencies, regulators, and private developers (e.g., DC Water, WSSC).
- Identify and pursue new opportunities to grow the water practice.
- Apply strong commercial and risk judgment to pursuits and delivery, including fee strategy, contract positioning, and go/no-go decisions.
- Represent the firm at industry events and conferences to raise its profile and win work.
Technical & project leadership
- Provide senior technical oversight and project management across stormwater management, green infrastructure, water resources planning, flood risk management, and engineering design.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and specialists from feasibility and design through construction supervision and commissioning.
- Champion innovative, sustainable solutions, drawing on the firm's global expertise and technologies such as digital twinning, AI, and IoT.
Research, sustainability & resilience
- Stay abreast of the latest technologies, regulations, and best practice, and contribute to the firm's knowledge base through research and publications.
- Embed sustainability and resilience across all projects, advocating for green infrastructure and climate adaptation and mitigation.
Is this role right for you?
- At least 15 years in water engineering, advisory, infrastructure, or climate/resilience work.
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline (Master's in a water specialism preferred).
- Current U.S. Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Strong technical grounding across stormwater management, water resources planning, flood risk management, water infrastructure, advisory, and sustainability.
- Demonstrated experience with utilities, municipalities, and public agencies in the Mid Atlantic, DMV or broader East Coast water market experience is an advantage.
- Proven ability to win and lead client relationships and pursuits, alongside successful project delivery.
What's on offer
Our client offers a competitive, equitable reward package with strong benefits supporting health and wellbeing, extensive learning and development, and a genuine share in the firm's collective success. This includes a global profit-share scheme (paid bi-annually, subject to global financial performance) and a 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match.