Senior Project Manager, Practice Builder - Water/Wastewater

Kimley-Horn; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent retirement plan

Comprehensive health coverage

Generous time off & flexible schedule

Professional development & tuition

Job summary

Kimley-Horn is seeking an entrepreneurial Senior Project Manager, Practice Builder to lead and grow our Water/Wastewater practice in Akron, OH. This leadership role blends client service, business development, technical excellence, and team leadership to drive growth and profitability.

The Practice Builder will craft a growth vision, win new work, manage projects profitably, and mentor staff with robust support from the firm. Ownership potential exists for high performers.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of civil engineering, design, and management of utility water projects.
• Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering or related field.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in the applying state.
• Strong business development, proposal writing, and budgeting experience.
• Proven track record of profitable project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the vision for the Water/Wastewater practice to enable sustainable growth.
• Lead business development to win work from new and existing clients.
• Supervise and lead Water/Wastewater design projects with technical oversight.
• Ensure quality, timeliness, and profitability of deliverables.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team and manage resources effectively.
• Maintain strong client relationships and establish the firm as a trusted partner.

Skills

Water/Wastewater design

Business development

Client relationship management

Leadership

Project profitability

Mentoring staff

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) license

Job description

Overview

Kimley-Horn is seeking an entrepreneurial Senior Project Manager, Practice Builder to lead and grow ourWater/Wastewaterpractice in Akron, OH. This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of client service, business development, technical excellence, and team leadership.

We use the term "Practice Builder" to describe our best client servers – the men and women who exhibit leadership by winning and doing work, managing projects profitably, and mentoring the next generation.

As a Practice Builder, you will:

• Craft a bold vision for growth.
• Lead business development efforts to win work from new and existing clients.
• Provide high-quality service in a profitable manner.
• Contribute to the professional development of staff.
• Benefit from comprehensive support in accounting, administrative, marketing, recruiting, IT, and production.
• Have the autonomy to build and grow your business with the full backing of a firm consistently recognized as one of the best in the industry.

This role offers the freedom to lead and grow your business, with the rewards of a performance-based environment (including base salary + bonuses), and the potential to advance to ownership.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the vision for our Water/Wastewater practice, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation.
• Apply an entrepreneurial spirit to create a vision for growth in the local Water/Wastewater practice and beyond.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, positioning our firm as a trusted partner in the Water/Wastewater industry.
• Drive business development efforts, leveraging industry connections to secure new opportunities and expand market presence.
• Supervise and lead Water/Wastewater design projects, providing technical expertise and strategic oversight.
• Ensuring quality and timeliness of deliverables, and supervising the execution of work.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment.
• Ensure project profitability, resource allocation, and seamless transitions of work to qualified staff.
• Uphold integrity and sound business principles, driving operational excellence and long-term success.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of civil engineering, design, and management of utility water projects experience
• Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering or a related field.
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in the state for which you are applying.
• Client contacts and relationships with local municipalities, area counties, water management authorities and local, regional, state agencies.
• Business development skills, proven ability to win work, and marketing experience including writing proposals, scopes of work, and budgeting for projected work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects profitably.
• Strong desire and ability to be engaged with clients solving project problems.
• Ability to manage & mentor staff, and direct resources effectively in a positive manner.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and technical skills.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work for Kimley-Horn in the U.S. without employersponsorship. We do not typically sponsor H1-B or any other work visa petitions.

Why Kimley-Horn?

At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it— that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!

Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.