Senior Project Manager – Surface Water / Water Resources

Kimley-Horn; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exceptional Retirement Plan

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Time Off

Financial Wellness

Tuition reimbursement

Family-Friendly Benefits

Job summary

Kimley-Horn in Deerfield, IL is seeking an entrepreneurial Senior Project Manager, Practice Builder to lead and grow our Surface Water practice.

This high-impact role blends client service, business development, and technical leadership, with autonomy to build the business and a base salary plus bonuses.

Candidates should have 12+ years Civil Engineering experience and a PE license, plus a proven track record in managing profitable projects and mentoring staff.

Qualifications

• 12+ years Civil Engineering and design experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).
• Strong client relationships with municipalities and water authorities.
• Proven leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Experience writing proposals, scopes of work, and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development and manage key client relationships.
• Oversee projects and mentor staff for growth.
• Direct and grow the Surface Water practice.
• Utilize AutoCAD, GIS, and hydrologic/hydraulic modeling for design.
• Pursue opportunities that align with firm strategy.

Skills

Civil Engineering

P.E. license

Client relationships

Leadership

Proposal writing

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

SWMM

FLO-2D

StormCAD

HEC-RAS

Job description

Overview

Kimley-Horn is seeking an entrepreneurial Senior Project Manager, Practice Builder to lead and grow our Surface Water practice in Deerfield, IL. 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

• This position leads business development efforts, manages relationships with key clients, and oversees all project tasks while mentoring the growth of younger staff
• Has a great deal of autonomy to lead, direct, and grow their business
• Pursue opportunities that fuel their professional passion and contribute to Kimley-Horn's success
• Leading business development efforts while leading tasks utilizing AutoCAD, GIS, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, stormwaterplanning, storm drain and BMP design
• Knowledge of SWMM, FLO-2D, StormCAD, and HEC-RAS is a plus
• Has a passion for resiliency and sustainable infrastructure engineering
• Leadership responsibilities include:
  • Operating with integrity and sound business principals
  • Providing vision, business planning and strategyEstablishing goals
  • Building and maintaining positive client relationships
  • Having open communication with your partners and team
  • Growing and leading a Surface Water (Hydraulics/Hydrology) practice
• The successful candidate will be given a great deal of autonomy to lead, direct, and grow their business
• With success, this individual will enjoy the rewards of an impressive bonus program with the potential to advance to ownership

Qualifications

• 12+years of Civil Engineering and design experience
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
• Client contacts and relationships with local municipalities, area counties, water management authorities and local, regional, state agencies
• Excellent communication, leadership, and technical skills
• Strong desire and ability to be engaged with clients solving project problems
• Ability to effectively communicate positively at all levels of the organization
• Ability to manage and mentor staff and direct resources effectively in a positive manner
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects profitably
• Experience writing proposals, scopes of work, and budgets for projected work

Salary Range:

Base Salary $130,000 - $180,000 annually.Eligible for Performance Based Bonus Compensation.

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 17 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.