Project Manager

Alliance Recruitment Agency; California (MO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Recruitment Agency is seeking an experienced Project Manager – Water/Wastewater to lead municipal and public-sector water infrastructure projects across California and Phoenix, AZ. This senior role demands a strong blend of technical delivery and client leadership.

The ideal candidate holds a PE license (CA preferred), 10+ years in water/wastewater engineering and project management, and an established network of relationships with water agencies, utilities, or districts.

Qualifications

• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license; California PE strongly preferred/required.
• 10+ years of experience in water/wastewater engineering and project management.
• Established, current relationships with water/wastewater sector clients (municipalities, utilities, public agencies, or similar).
• Ability to leverage an existing client network and contribute to client development and new project opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead water and wastewater projects from planning and design through construction and completion.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and overall delivery.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering and project teams, including internal staff, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a key point of contact for clients, water agencies, municipalities, and other public-sector stakeholders.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, proposals, and technical deliverables.
• Support client presentations, RFQs/RFPs, proposals, interviews, and project pursuits.
• Identify new project opportunities and contribute to business development activities.
• Build, maintain, and expand relationships with existing water-sector clients and agencies.
• Mentor and provide technical/project guidance to engineers and project team members.
• Ensure projects meet applicable regulatory, technical, contractual, and quality requirements.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Client management

Presentation

Education

Civil Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Job description

Location: Northern California / Southern California / Phoenix, AZ

Experience: 10+ Years in Water/Wastewater Engineering & Project Management

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager – Water/Wastewater to lead and manage water and wastewater engineering projects while maintaining strong relationships with municipal, utility, and public-sector clients.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in water/wastewater infrastructure, a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license, and established relationships with water-sector clients. This role is not limited to technical project experience—we are specifically looking for professionals who have genuine, active client relationships and a strong understanding of the California water market.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead water and wastewater projects from planning and design through construction and completion.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, and overall delivery.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering and project teams, including internal staff, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a key point of contact for clients, water agencies, municipalities, and other public-sector stakeholders.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, proposals, and technical deliverables.
• Support client presentations, RFQs/RFPs, proposals, interviews, and project pursuits.
• Identify new project opportunities and contribute to business development activities.
• Build, maintain, and expand relationships with existing water-sector clients and agencies.
• Mentor and provide technical/project guidance to engineers and project team members.
• Ensure projects meet applicable regulatory, technical, contractual, and quality requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license; California PE strongly preferred/required.
• 10+ years of experience in water/wastewater engineering and project management.
• Strong experience with municipal, utility, or public-sector water/wastewater projects.
• Proven experience managing project budgets, schedules, teams, contracts, and client expectations.
• Strong understanding of water/wastewater infrastructure, which may include treatment, conveyance, pipelines, pump stations, collection systems, water distribution, recycled water, or related infrastructure.
• Excellent communication, leadership, client management, and presentation skills.

Critical Requirement – Client Relationships

Candidates must bring established and current relationships within the water/wastewater sector.

We are specifically interested in professionals who have existing relationships with municipalities, water districts, utilities, public agencies, or other water-sector clients and can leverage those relationships for future project opportunities.

Water/wastewater industry experience alone is not sufficient. Proven client relationships and market connections are a key requirement for this position.

Target Markets

Primary focus:

• Southern California: Orange County, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego and surrounding areas
• Northern California: Bay Area and surrounding markets
• Additional consideration for Sacramento, Bakersfield, and other California water markets
• Phoenix, Arizona for selected opportunities

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a senior, commercially minded Project Manager who can combine strong technical/project delivery capabilities with client leadership and business development. The successful candidate should have credibility within the water/wastewater market, understand local client needs, and be capable of developing long‑term relationships and project opportunities.

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience. Compensation details will be discussed directly with shortlisted candidates.

Mandatory Requirements

• Active Professional Engineer (PE License) is required.
• Must have established, current relationships with water/wastewater sector clients, including municipalities, water districts, utilities, public agencies, or similar organizations.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate genuine client relationships and connections they have developed and maintained, not just experience working on water/wastewater projects.
• Water/wastewater industry experience alone is not sufficient. The ability to leverage an existing client network and contribute to client development and new project opportunities is essential.