Project Director, Water/Wastewater Construction

WSB; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

WSB is seeking a Project Director, Water/Wastewater Construction, to lead multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of high-impact infrastructure programs. You will oversee CMPs, QA/QC, safety, and environmental compliance across CM‑at‑Risk, design‑build, and design‑bid‑build methods.

The role focuses on large-scale projects such as tunnels and treatment facilities, with expectations for strategic leadership, staff development, and business development support.

Qualifications

• College degree in related field, or equivalent experience.
• Professional engineer registration is a preferred.
• Typically 10–15+ years of experience related to profession, with at least 5 years leading others.
• Experience with large- and small-scale water/wastewater facilities, tunnels, and utilities.
• Experience with alternative delivery such as CMAR and design-build.
• Microsoft Suite Products (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc).
• May be required to work onsite at a WSB office, as needed, up to five days per week, as required by the project, client, or hiring manager.
• Travel or field visits may be required to support project needs or stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide project leadership and oversight for large-scale, complex construction management and program management services across water, wastewater, environmental, and utility infrastructure.
• Serve as a project director for public agencies and utility clients on high-risk, high-value capital improvement programs.
• Establish and implement Construction Management Plans (CMPs) that define governance, roles, workflows, reporting structures, and escalation procedures for multi-year programs.
• Guide program execution from preconstruction through construction, testing, commissioning, closeout, and transition to operations.
• Oversee constructability reviews and preconstruction services to identify and mitigate risks related to cost, schedule, safety, environmental constraints, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs, including integrated inspection and testing plans, third-party testing coordination, and conformance verification.
• Lead development and enforcement of safety, environmental compliance, and site controls across construction activities.
• Provide project oversight for complex underground construction, including deep tunneling, large-diameter pipelines, treatment facilities, pump stations, and major civil works.
• Act as an authority on resolution of complex RFIs, claims, change orders, and dispute negotiations to minimize owner risk and cost exposure.
• Lead diverse teams of mid-level, first-level leaders, and/or individual contributors.
• Coaches, develops, and mentors leaders and staff.
• Leads the delivery of strategic, high-impact, multidisciplinary projects and programs, applying technical expertise as needed.
• Advocates for the use of AI and digital tools within the program or individual projects.
• Uses AI and digital tools to elevate the quality and speed of projects, double-checking outputs, and ensuring information meets technical and ethical standards.
• Supports and executes business development strategy, including expansion of existing clients and acquisition of new clients.
• Collaborates on major pursuits and positions the firm to win high-impact work.
• Traverse job sites having uneven terrain, slopes, confined spaces, or reinforced trenches.
• Move materials weighing up to 75 pounds periodically.
• Conduct visual assessments of task quality and job site safety.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

College degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Forge ahead with WSB. We are seeking a Project Director, Water/Wastewater Construction, to add to our growing team. WSB was founded on the understanding that culture drives results, and we've dedicated ourselves to the value of strong relationships, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas. We've inspired each other to discover thoughtful and creative solutions that look beyond the needs of today to the opportunities of tomorrow. The Project Director, Water/Wastewater Construction leads multidisciplinary teams in the successful delivery of high‑impact, complex infrastructure programs and projects. The Project Director, Water/Wastewater Construction oversees the development and execution of Construction Management Plans, constructability reviews, QA/QC programs, and risk mitigation strategies across multiple delivery methods, including CM‑at‑Risk, design‑build, and design‑bid‑build. Accountable for financial results, staffing and resource planning, and multi‑year program and project execution. Typical projects include tunnels, water/wastewater facilities, pipelines, pump stations, and other critical infrastructure. The role includes planning 4–6 months ahead for operational execution and staff planning. If this sounds like the next step in your career, we invite you to forge ahead with us.

What You Will Do

• Provide project leadership and oversight for large‑scale, complex construction management and program management services across water, wastewater, environmental, and utility infrastructure.
• Serve as a project director for public agencies and utility clients on high‑risk, high‑value capital improvement programs.
• Establish and implement Construction Management Plans (CMPs) that define governance, roles, workflows, reporting structures, and escalation procedures for multi‑year programs.
• Guide program execution from preconstruction through construction, testing, commissioning, closeout, and transition to operations.
• Oversee constructability reviews and preconstruction services to identify and mitigate risks related to cost, schedule, safety, environmental constraints, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs, including integrated inspection and testing plans, third‑party testing coordination, and conformance verification.
• Lead development and enforcement of safety, environmental compliance, and site controls across construction activities.
• Provide project oversight for complex underground construction, including deep tunneling, large‑diameter pipelines, treatment facilities, pump stations, and major civil works.
• Act as an authority on resolution of complex RFIs, claims, change orders, and dispute negotiations to minimize owner risk and cost exposure.
• Lead diverse teams of mid-level, first-level leaders, and/or individual contributors.
• Coaches, develops, and mentors leaders and staff.
• Manages staff performance, sets individual performance goals, conducts performance reviews, and oversees performance improvement plans.
• Leads the delivery of strategic, high-impact, multidisciplinary projects and programs, applying technical expertise as needed.
• Advocates for the use of AI and digital tools within the program or individual projects
• Uses AI and digital tools to elevate the quality and speed of projects, double‑checking its outputs, and making sure information presented meets technical and ethical standards.
• Supports and executes business development strategy, including expansion of existing clients and acquisition of new clients.
• Collaborates on major pursuits and positions the firm to win high‑impact work.
• Traverse job sites having uneven terrain, slopes, confined spaces, or reinforced trenches.
• Move materials weighing up to 75 pounds periodically.
• Conduct visual assessments of task quality and job site safety.
• May remain in stationary position for extended periods.

What You Will Bring

• College degree in related field, or equivalent experience.
• Professional engineer registration is a preferred.
• Typically 10–15+ years of experience related to profession, with at least 5 years leading others.
• Experience with large- and small‑scale water/wastewater facilities, tunnels, and utilities.
• Experience with alternative delivery such as CMAR and design‑build.
• Microsoft Suite Products (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc).
• May be required to work onsite at a WSB office, as needed, up to five days per week, as required by the project, client, or hiring manager.
• Travel or field visits may be required to support project needs or stakeholder collaboration.

Who We Are

WSB is a design and consulting firm specializing in Transportation, Community Planning, Environmental, Energy, Municipal, and Construction services. We provide solutions for the places, spaces and systems that support our lives. We offer services in more than 50 complementary areas across the nation.

Full time WSB employees qualify for competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, company paid short‑and long‑term disability, 401K with match, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for professional growth and development. Part time employees can participate in the 401K plan and applicable earned paid leave.

As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or disability status.

WSB strives to ensure that its careers website is accessible to all. If you need assistance completing your online application, please email [e-mail].

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WSB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please e‑mail us at [e-mail]. In your e‑mail, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Notice to Third Party Agencies:

WSB does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed Service Agreement by WSB, we reserve the right to pursue and hire any unsolicited candidates without financial obligation to recruiters or agencies.