Executive Advisor - Water Asset Management (Southern California)

GHD; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 112,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

GHD in California is hiring a Senior Project Manager – Asset Management, focusing on utility asset management and capital planning for public water clients. This role requires developing strategic asset management plans, conducting risk-based capital planning, and leading CMMS implementations. The successful candidate will operate in a hybrid work model, collaborating within a dynamic advisory team to drive sustainable solutions in the water sector. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, California P.E. registration, and significant experience in the field.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in utility asset management.
• Experience in capital planning and strategic AM planning.
• Prior involvement with CMMS implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and expand GHD’s asset management advisory practice.
• Develop strategic asset management plans for utilities.
• Conduct risk-based capital planning and implement CMMS solutions.

Skills

Utility asset management

Capital planning

Strategic asset management planning

CMMS implementation

Advisory services for public water management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Master’s Degree in Civil/Environmental/Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in California

Job description

To solve complex challenges, you need to challenge the status-quo.

At GHD Advisory we are invested in creating sustainable commercial outcomes with clients driving change in water, energy and urbanization.

Join a team committed to solving complex challenges across the value chain, from capital deployment to asset management, enabling resilience, growth and sustainability.

Together, we’ll help create a future for generations to come.

Who are we looking for?

GHD Business Advisory is advancing its Water Asset Management and Infrastructure Finance capabilities across Southern California. With active on-call contracts and growing opportunities across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire, we are seeking a Senior Project Manager – Asset Management with strong expertise in utility asset management, capital planning, strategic AM planning, CMMS implementation, and advisory services for public water, wastewater, and stormwater clients.

This role will focus on leading and expanding GHD’s asset management advisory practice in Southern California, serving as a trusted advisor to municipal water and wastewater utilities. Responsibilities include developing strategic asset management plans, conducting risk‑based capital planning, implementing CMMS solutions, performing condition assessment programs, and building long‑term client relationships with agencies across the region.

You will operate as a seller‑doer within GHD’s North American Asset Management Advisory team, based in Southern California, with close collaboration with colleagues in Water, Environment, and Transportation to develop value‑driven solutions for utility and infrastructure clients across the region.

Our Hybrid Work Model

Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in‑office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:

• Consulting Project/Program Design: Design the project architecture, building on the initial proposal and the client interviews to develop a solution that meets the client’s stated requirements and addresses any identified client issues.
• Consulting Project Delivery: Deliver partly customized training, facilitate workshops with management, and deliver advice and reports to address identified client issues. Lead a small team where needed to ensure maximum client satisfaction.
• Consulting Project Content Development: Develop innovative approaches and write materials that are highly visible—such as slide decks for presentations on innovative solutions to top management, or bespoke and market‑leading client reports—to complete the work of client team.
• Community of Practice Management: Participate in and contribute to a community of practice in a defined area of expertise or consulting to build own capability and develop innovative practice among colleagues.
• Client Issue Diagnosis: Collate and conduct analysis of the tactical and operational information gathered through interviews and research to support the diagnosis of underlying client issues and problems and the design of single solutions.
• Client Issue Clarification: Conduct interviews following an established framework of questions to gather information on client issues.
• Workshop Facilitation: Facilitate process development workshops with subject‑matter experts, drive agreement on process flows across functional areas, and document processes and activity workflows to develop clear and detailed process maps.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Use data from a wide range of sources to analyze key themes and identify possible impacts on the business.
• Personal Capability Building: Act as subject matter expert in an area of technology, policy, regulation, or operational management for the team. Maintain external accreditations and in‑depth understanding of current and emerging external regulation and industry best practices through continuing professional development, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.
• Project Management: Manage a portfolio of projects while reporting to senior colleagues.
• Business Advice: Lead a highly complex business advisory process, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic initiatives and goals.
• Client & Customer Management (External): Manage important client relationships with guidance from senior colleagues, or oversee relationship management with a group of more transactional clients and customers.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (required)
• Master’s Degree in Civil/Environmental/Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (preferred)
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in California (required)

EEO Statement US: As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.

Salary Range: $112,000- $187,000 based on location and experience