Senior Manager-Water and Energy Services

Socket.dev; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health care benefits

Incentive compensation

Career advancement opportunities

Company vehicle program

Job summary

Global Water Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Manager for Water & Energy Services, a leadership role that involves managing complex projects and enhancing client satisfaction.

You will drive business growth while ensuring high technical standards. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in water and energy services, exceptional client management skills, and a proven ability to innovate and lead teams.

Qualifications

• 10-18+ years of experience in water treatment or energy services.
• Advanced technical knowledge of industrial water systems.
• Proven ability to manage complex client portfolios.
• Demonstrated success in consultative selling and account expansion.
• Experience leading technical or service teams.

Responsibilities

• Own strategic relationships within a portfolio of clients.
• Design and optimize water and energy treatment programs.
• Independently identify and close new client opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to team members.
• Collaborate with corporate teams for client strategies.

Skills

Client leadership

Technical program delivery

Business development

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree (engineering, chemistry, biology, environmental science)

Job description

Description

Senior Manager, Water & Energy Services (“SM”)

Water & Energy Services (“WES”) | Global Water Technology, Inc.

Executive Narrative: The Senior Manager, Water & Energy Services is a senior client and technical leader responsible for managing complex water and energy programs, strengthening strategic client relationships, and driving sustained growth across a portfolio of mission-critical accounts. This role sits at the intersection of technical expertise, client leadership, and commercial development within GWT’s Water & Energy Services platform.

The Senior Manager is accountable for ensuring that GWT’s technical solutions deliver measurable operational, financial, and sustainability outcomes for clients. This includes maintaining deep knowledge of client systems, identifying opportunities for program optimization and expansion, and ensuring that service delivery consistently reflects GWT’s standards of excellence. Beyond technical execution, the Senior Manager plays a critical role in business development and account growth. They actively identify emerging client needs and new commercial opportunities, working in close partnership with WES Business Development leaders and Corporate Sales & Marketing teams to translate technical insight into differentiated solutions and strategic proposals.

The Senior Manager serves as a technical and consultative partner in the pursuit of new client relationships and the expansion of existing accounts. Depending on portfolio structure and organizational needs, the Senior Manager may provide formal or informal leadership and mentorship to Analysts, Engineers, and other technical professionals supporting assigned accounts. In all cases, the role influences technical standards, shares expertise, and supports the development of team members contributing to client programs, helping to elevate service quality and technical excellence across the portfolio.

In essence, the Senior Manager ensures that GWT’s Water & Energy Services offering is delivered with depth, consistency, and strategic value while actively contributing to both client success and the growth of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership and Account Management

• Own strategic relationships within a portfolio of complex commercial and industrial clients.
• Serve as the primary technical and advisory leader for key accounts, ensuring high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Conduct regular business reviews, technical assessments, and program evaluations to demonstrate value and identify improvement opportunities.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively recommend program enhancements, system upgrades, and efficiency initiatives.

Technical Program Delivery

• Design, implement, and optimize water and energy treatment programs across systems including boilers, cooling towers, closed-loop systems, potable water, wastewater, and pre-treatment processes.
• Perform and oversee technical audits, water testing, and system diagnostics to ensure program performance and compliance with applicable standards.
• Diagnose and resolve program deviations through technical troubleshooting, equipment evaluation, and chemical program optimization.
• Develop and deliver high-quality technical documentation, reports, and proposals that translate complex data into actionable insight for clients.

Commercial Growth and Business Development

• Independently identify, pursue, and close new client opportunities and expansion opportunities within existing accounts and adjacent markets, including multi-site opportunities.
• Develop and execute account and territory-level growth plans aligned with WES and regional strategic priorities.
• Partner closely with WES Business Development leaders and managers to support pipeline development, technical discovery, solution design, and proposal strategy.
• Collaborate with Corporate Sales and Marketing functions to leverage campaigns, industry positioning, and brand initiatives to generate qualified opportunities.
• Partner or lead in technical discovery, site assessments, and solution design for prospective clients, translating operational needs into differentiated GWT value propositions.
• Support proposal development, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations in coordination with Business Development and corporate sales & marketing teams.
• Build and maintain a network of relationships with facility managers, engineers, contractors, consultants, and industry partners to generate sustained opportunity flow.
• Track and manage growth opportunities within CRM systems, ensuring visibility, accountability, and alignment with regional revenue targets.

Team Leadership, Training, and Mentorship

• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to Analysts, Engineers, and Managers supporting assigned client programs, whether through direct reporting relationships or matrixed collaboration.
• Set clear expectations for technical quality, service standards, and client communication across team members contributing to the account portfolio.
• Support onboarding, training, and skill development of team members working within the Senior Manager’s portfolio, reinforcing GWT methodologies and best practices.
• Coordinate work plans and responsibilities among technical and service resources to ensure consistent coverage and performance across accounts.
• Contribute to performance feedback and development discussions in partnership with Territory and District leadership, without requiring formal people-management responsibility in all cases.

Operational Excellence and Collaboration and Collaboration

• Collaborate with Territory Managers, District Managers, and corporate teams to align client strategies with broader territory and district objectives.
• Leverage GWT resources including technical services, inside sales, and operations to enhance client outcomes and program performance.
• Maintain accurate documentation, reporting, and CRM records to support operational transparency and performance management.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Integration

• Support the integration of acquired clients and technical programs within the assigned portfolio to ensure continuity of service and client confidence.
• Assist in onboarding acquired personnel and aligning technical practices with GWT standards.
• Identify integration risks related to client expectations, technical performance, or service continuity and elevate as needed.
• Reinforce GWT’s culture, service standards, and technical methodologies across integrated accounts and team members.

Typical Qualifications

• 10-18+ years of experience in water treatment, energy services, industrial services, or a related technical field.
• Advanced technical knowledge of industrial water systems including boilers, cooling towers, closed-loop systems, and water safety programs.
• Proven ability to manage complex client portfolios and deliver measurable technical and financial outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in consultative selling, account expansion, and long-term client relationship management.
• Experience leading and developing technical or service team members in a field-based environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and diagnostic capabilities in complex mechanical and chemical systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts into business-relevant insights.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent industry experience considered.
• Certified Water Technologist (CWT) or similar credential preferred.

Working Conditions: The Senior Manager is a field-based position with the majority of work performed at client facilities, including mechanical rooms, boiler rooms, industrial production facilities, healthcare environments, and commercial buildings. The role requires regular travel within the assigned territory, with occasional overnight travel depending on geography and client needs. Availability outside standard business hours may be required to support client operations and program continuity.

Physical Requirements: The role involves regular movement within industrial environments, including standing, walking, climbing stairs, and working in confined mechanical spaces. The Senior Manager must be able to carry testing equipment, tools, and materials and lift objects up to approximately 50 pounds. The position requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle and utilize standard office and field technology.

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive group health care benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.
• Incentive compensation aligned with performance and growth objectives.
• Access to industry-leading training, leadership development, and mentoring programs designed to foster long-term career success.
• Company vehicle program or reimbursement plan for required travel to GWT locations, client sites, or industry events.
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing, nationally recognized organization in the water treatment and safety industry - an essential, recession-resilient, and pandemic-resilient field.

Statement on Inclusiveness: Global Water Technology, Inc. (GWT) is an equal opportunity employer that values and celebrates diversity within our company. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member feels respected, supported, and empowered to contribute their best work. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

About Global Water Technology: Global Water Technology (GWT) is redefining excellence in commercial and industrial water treatment—and the nation is taking notice. Recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing companies, GWT continuously earns a place on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list. Since our founding in 1990, we’ve built a reputation as a trusted partner across diverse sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, commercial real estate, data centers, food and beverage, and new construction.

Our success is powered by our people—a team of dedicated experts who share a passion for solving complex challenges and delivering measurable results. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where innovation thrives, professional growth is encouraged, and every team member has the tools and support to succeed. At GWT, we know that when our people succeed, our clients succeed.

We put clients at the center of everything we do, listening closely to understand their goals, challenges, and unique environments. By blending cutting-edge, data-driven applications with decades of hands-on expertise, we help them dramatically reduce water consumption, extend the life of their systems, and gain unmatched insight into water performance.

At GWT, we don’t just treat water—we build lasting partnerships, invest in our people, and empower our clients to achieve smarter, more sustainable operations while protecting one of the world’s most valuable resources.