National Leader - Water Utility Infrastructure

Designworks Talent LLC; United States; On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Leadership role

Long-term growth

People-first culture

Job summary

Designworks Talent LLC is partnering with a respected engineering firm to identify a national leader to build, lead, and grow a water utility infrastructure office in the United States and internationally. This ownership-minded role shapes strategy, develops talent, and expands a high-impact practice with visibility and autonomy.

The successful candidate will oversee operations, mentor a multidisciplinary team, serve as a technical authority, and guide clients with complex infrastructure

Qualifications

• PE license required in the United States.
• 20+ years of utility infrastructure engineering experience.
• Proven history of high client satisfaction and repeat work.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead practice operations and staff development.
• Oversee projects, budgets, and profitability.
• Drive growth and client relationships nationally and internationally.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategy and staffing.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team development

Business acumen

Stakeholder management

Technical depth (water/wastewater)

Project management

Staff mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license in the United States

Job description

Build and Lead a Water Utility Infrastructure Practice
Location: Onsite | Any of the following Design Center Locations*
* IN (Indianapolis, Evansville, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Jeffersonville, Merrillville), FL (Tampa, Orlando), IL (Chicago/Lisle), OH (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron), PN (Pittsburgh), TN (Nashville), TX (Austin, Round Rock, Dallas/Irving)

We’re partnering with a highly respected engineering firm to identify a national practice leader who’s ready to build, lead, and grow a water utility infrastructure office in United States and Internationally. This is a rare opportunity to step into a true ownership-minded role—shaping strategy, developing talent, and expanding a high-impact practice.

As the national leader, you’ll oversee operations, mentor and grow a multidisciplinary team, serve as a technical authority, and act as a trusted advisor to clients. If you’re energized by building teams, elevating people, and delivering complex infrastructure projects, this role offers both influence and long-term growth.

What You’ll Own

Practice & National Team Leadership

• Lead day-to-day operations for water utility infrastructure practice

• Oversee workflow, staffing plans, utilization, and profitability

• Prepare monthly staffing and financial forecasts with a forward-looking outlook

• Maintain visibility into project performance, billings, and margins

• Partner senior leadership to align resources and drive growth

• Identify hiring needs and play a key role in recruiting top engineering talent

• Foster a high-performance, collaborative, and engaged team culture

• Lead performance reviews and support employee development and retention

Staff Development & Mentorship

• Actively mentor Team Leaders, Engineers and Project Managers at all career stages

• Build technical depth and leadership capability across the team

• Develop Project Managers into well-rounded leaders of scope, schedule, budget, and client relationships

• Coach PMs on proposals, fee development, billing, and financial performance

• Create and track individualized development plans and progression timelines

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership across drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects

• Lead and oversee studies, designs, and complex utility infrastructure solutions

• Anticipate and resolve technical challenges to keep projects moving efficiently

• Serve as a go-to technical resource for both staff and clients

Project & Financial Management

• Lead proposal development, fee negotiations, and contract execution

• Monitor project financial performance and guide PMs toward consistent delivery

• Ensure schedules, budgets, and quality standards are met across all projects

• Contribute to overall group and cross-discipline profitability

Quality & Client Engagement

• Ensure rigorous technical review and quality control at all project stages

• Leverage firmwide expertise to deliver best-in-class solutions

• Build long-term, trusted relationships with municipal and utility clients

• Identify expansion opportunities with existing clients and support new pursuits

• Partner with business development and sales teams to grow the practice

What Our Client Is Looking For

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

• REQUIRED: Professional Engineer (PE) license in one of the United States

Experience

• 20+ years of utility infrastructure engineering experience

• Strong background in water and wastewater treatment facilities, distribution and collection systems, and lift stations

• Proven history of high client satisfaction and repeat work across the USA and internationally

Leadership & Business Acumen

• Confident, positive communicator at all organizational levels

• Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing teams

• Experience supporting proposals, presentations, and winning new work

• Ability to contribute to business planning, growth strategy, and practice expansion

Technical & Market Presence

• Strong track record of profitable project delivery

• Established relationships with local municipalities and utility clients

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Build and shape the practice's future

• Visible leadership role with real influence and autonomy

• Strong, people-first culture with excellent benefits

• Long-term growth potential within a respected engineering firm