Owner's Advisory Practice Area Lead (Municipal Water)

West Yost; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 132,540 - 189,530; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid vacation and sick leave

On-going education support

Potential for employee stock ownership

Job summary

A leading water resource management firm in California is seeking an experienced Owner’s Advisory Services Practice Leader. This full-time role involves building and leading a team dedicated to advancing program management and owner advisory services. Ideal candidates will have a strong leadership background in water utility planning and engineering, with a focus on nurturing team members and enhancing client relationships. Competitive salary ranging from $132,540 to $189,530, plus standard and unique benefits positioned for work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of successfully leading teams in water utility planning.
• Ability to manage and mentor others while nurturing relationships.
• Strong attention to detail and focus on quality work.

Responsibilities

• Drive the growth of the Owner’s Advisory Services practice.
• Attract and develop the OA team, aligning with individual strengths.
• Serve as a senior project manager on strategic projects.

Skills

Leadership and team management

Water utility planning

Client relationship management

Problem-solving skills

Education

Experience in civil or environmental engineering/science field

Job description

Who We Are

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities. Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities. We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, recognized among Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, and a top‑ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Compensation Range

$132,540 - $189,530 (based on Davis, CA office location). Geographic salary differentials apply for other regions.

Status

Full-time, Exempt

Location

Can sit in any West Yost office location. https://www.westyost.com/locations/

Hybrid Working

3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Owner’s Advisory Services Practice Leader (Municipal Water)

We are committed to significant growth over the coming years and are looking for experienced leaders with a proven ability to grow a practice and develop the careers of their team members. The Practice Leader will build upon our proven experience in program management, alternative delivery procurement, and owner advisory services and take it to new heights. The Leader works directly with clients and team members to advance our offerings in program management, alternative project delivery procurement, owner advisory, and geographic reach.

Reports To

Business Sector Leader, Program and Procurement Management (PPM)

Major Responsibilities

• Staff development, practice area growth, quality control, marketing, business development, and fostering good overall team morale and positive client relationships.
• Attract, retain, coach, develop, and inspire the OA team aligned with the strengths and interests of the individuals. Support the team in delivering proposals and meaningful projects.
• Develop, lead, and execute an annual business plan for OA Practice Area growth aligned with West Yost’s values and PPM’s strategic vision.
• Manage workload and project future staffing needs to balance retention and productivity.
• Serve as a senior project manager on strategic projects/programs.

Key Position Objectives

• Drive succession development for the entire OA team.
• Work with business development team and Client Service Managers to strategically grow the OA sales pipeline.
• Develop and implement a strategy for providing OA services in Southern California.
• Model and maintain a culture of high‑quality, purposeful work celebrating each team member’s strengths.

What You Bring To The Team

• You successfully lead teams with a track record of success as a leader in water utility planning and engineering consulting services.
• You are motivated by results and setting challenging goals, taking ownership of responsibilities, and driving impact.
• You pay attention to details and strive for quality work that is well-communicated.
• You enjoy solving problems, finding creative solutions, and seeking help when needed.
• You like helping people, nurture relationships, and support others’ growth.
• You communicate clearly, valuing clarity and ensuring others understand the 'why' behind each action.
• You think on your feet, learn quickly, and handle change positively.
• You value relationships, nurture clients and internal teammates, and maintain stability in work‑life balance.
• You have emotional intelligence, are self‑aware, and mentor others.

To become part of shaping this premier and growing water firm, you will benefit from experience in the civil or environmental engineering/science field. Technical skills are important, but in this role your ability to lead, manage, work with others, mentor and support a team is paramount. Your ability to quickly establish trust and commitment both internally and externally with clients is foundational.

Travel Requirements

May require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About The West Yost Life

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally through collaborative in‑person work experience, knowledge sharing, mentorship, and flexible work schedules. All team members have access to local and company‑wide events, diversity, equity, and inclusion workgroups, wellness workgroups, book clubs, charitable giving, community service, firm‑wide resources, peer groups, mentorship, and leadership programs. We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future. We host all‑hands meetings, monthly team meetings, local gatherings, and an annual all‑staff event including the Duck Dinner. Work‑life balance and quality of life are valued.

Standard Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, health savings (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, employee assistance programs, travel assistance, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D, short‑ and long‑term disability, pet insurance.

Other Unique Benefits

On‑going education support (529 plan, student loan repayment), tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, Leadership Academy programs, milestone anniversary benefits, peer‑to‑peer recognition, potential employee stock ownership, annual bonuses, performance‑based bonuses, merit increases, referral bonuses, wellness reimbursement.

AI Recruitment Tools

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment; final hiring decisions are made by humans. Contact us for more information about how your data is processed.