Owner's Advisor - Collaborative Delivery (Water and Wastewater)

Trinnex Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith Inc. is seeking an experienced Owner’s Advisor to guide clients on complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

You will serve as a trusted advisor through planning, design, construction, and commissioning, ensuring objectives, budgets, and schedules are met with industry best practices. The role requires proactive communication, strong technical knowledge, and ability to work with clients, design teams, contractors, regulators, and staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client throughout project delivery.
• Provide technical guidance on water and wastewater infrastructure, treatment, and regulatory requirements.
• Review designs, plans, and construction documents to ensure alignment with objectives and standards.
• Collaborate with design and construction teams to mitigate risks.
• Monitor progress, budgets, schedules, contracts and change orders.
• Support proposals, RFP responses, client pursuits and business development.

Skills

Water/wastewater knowledge

Client relationship

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Owner’s Advisor to provide expert consultation and support to clients on complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor, guiding clients through the technical, regulatory, operational, and construction aspects of project planning, design, construction, and commissioning.

You will work closely with clients, design teams, contractors, and regulatory agencies to ensure project objectives are achieved while maintaining alignment with industry standards, best practices, budgets, schedules, quality, and regulatory requirements. A Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is preferred but not required. Strong technical knowledge of water and wastewater systems, infrastructure delivery, and construction management is essential.

This role requires a proactive communicator who can build strong relationships, provide informed recommendations, resolve complex challenges, and advocate for the client’s interests. The position may require an onsite presence at client facilities and/or regular travel to provide hands-on support throughout project delivery.

Typical Duties

• Serve as the primary point of contact and advocate for the client throughout project delivery.
• Provide technical guidance on water and wastewater infrastructure, treatment processes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Review designs, plans, specifications, and construction documents to ensure alignment with client objectives and applicable standards.
• Collaborate with design and construction teams to identify, mitigate, and resolve technical and project risks.
• Monitor project progress, budgets, schedules, contracts, and change orders.
• Facilitate communication among clients, contractors, engineers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Conduct site visits to assess construction progress, quality, safety, and compliance.
• Support commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.
• Assist with proposals, RFP responses, client pursuits, and business development activities.
• Meet with current and prospective clients to understand their water and wastewater infrastructure needs.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentorship to junior staff.
• Participate in Communities of Practice, professional associations, conferences, and industry activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of water and wastewater infrastructure, project delivery, and construction practices.
• Ability to understand and evaluate complex technical, professional, and business materials.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong client relationship, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with clients, engineers, contractors, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of project budgets, schedules, contracts, risk, and quality management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred but not required.
• PMP, CCM, or similar project/construction management certification is beneficial.
• Experience serving as an Owner’s Representative or Owner’s Advisor on water and/or wastewater infrastructure projects.
• In-depth knowledge of water and wastewater treatment, conveyance, collection, and related infrastructure.
• Experience with design review, construction oversight, commissioning, and startup.
• Strong understanding of applicable regulatory, permitting, and environmental requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and resolve complex project challenges while maintaining quality, schedule, and budget objectives.

Amount of Travel Required

20% - 40%

Driving Requirements

An appropriate and valid driver's license is required.

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as 'CDM Smith') reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No - We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

Pay Range Max

USD $248,394.00

Pay Range Min

USD $134,264.00