Senior Project Manager, Water

Gannett Fleming, Inc.; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement plan

Generous PTO accrual

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT is seeking Senior Project Managers in Water to join our Water Group in the Southeast, with candidates welcome from Atlanta, Raleigh, Charleston, Richmond, VA Beach or Florida. You’ll lead water infrastructure projects, mentor teams, and grow client partnerships across municipal and utility clients while delivering on schedule and budget.

The role demands strong leadership, technical depth, and a passion for sustainable water resources, with hybrid in-person/remote work and opportunities for

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience managing substantial water or stormwater projects.
• Strong project management skills and leadership.
• Proven track record delivering projects on schedule and within budget.
• Ability to guide project management fundamentals across teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage water, wastewater, and stormwater projects from planning through construction.
• Provide technical leadership for design, calculations, permitting, reports, and client presentations.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality solutions on time and budget.
• Oversee construction-phase services and ensure contract compliance.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and client agreements.
• Monitor performance, financials, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and regulators.
• Support development and implementation of company design standards.

Skills

Water project management

PE license

Leadership

Client liaison

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (P.E.) license

Job description

GFT is seeking several Senior Project Managers, Water to join our Water Group in the SouthEast! Candidates can be in Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, NC; Charleston, SC; Richmond, VA; Virginia Beach, VA or in Florida!

Joining the water resources team atGFT means contributing to innovative solutions for sustainable water management and infrastructure. Our team excels in dams and levees, advanced water and wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and conveyance, collection, and transmission. With a focus on integrating technology, sustainability, and compliance, we consider each water resources and environmental remediation project a chance to innovate and evolve to protect public health and enhance quality of life.Explore some of our signature water resources and environmental projects here.

What you’ll be challenged to do:

This role will require a collaborative and results-oriented engineering professional who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional leadership and relationship-building skills. Someone who thrives in a client-focused environment, enjoy developing teams, and is motivated by the opportunity to deliver complex infrastructure projects that make a difference.Lead Meaningful Water Infrastructure Projects

• Manage and oversee water, wastewater, and stormwater projects from planning and design through construction.
• Provide technical leadership for engineering design, calculations, permitting, reports, and client presentations.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams to deliver high-quality solutions on schedule and within budget.
• Oversee construction-phase services and ensure successful project execution in accordance with contract requirements.

Drive Project Success

• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and client agreements.
• Monitor project performance, financials, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies to achieve project milestones.
• Support the development and implementation of company design and production standards.

Build Strong Client Partnerships

• Serve as a trusted advisor to municipal and utility district clients.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public officials, community leaders, and key stakeholders.
• Lead client communications and help identify opportunities to expand services and strengthen partnerships.

Contribute to Business Growth

• Prepare proposals, fee estimates, and project budgets.
• Lead responses to RFQs, RFPs, and other client solicitations.
• Support marketing and business development initiatives that drive growth across the Southeast region.
• Represent the firm at industry events, professional organizations, and community activities.

Mentor and Develop Future Leaders

• Lead, coach, and inspire engineers and technical professionals.
• Support the growth of project managers and emerging leaders.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on innovation, continuous learning, and technical excellence.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique?

• Lead impactful projects that improve public health, environmental sustainability, and community resilience.
• Build lasting relationships with municipal clients across the Southeast.
• Influence the growth and direction of a thriving Water practice.
• Mentor talented professionals and shape the next generation of engineering leaders.
• Join a collaborative team that values technical excellence, client service, and professional development.

What you will bring to our firm:

• Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from an ABET accredited college or university.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) designation.
• 15 or more years’ experience managing substantial water or stormwater projects from conception to completion.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills.
• Successful record of delivering projects on schedule, budget and meeting the client's Ability to provide oversight and guidance of project management fundamentals.

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $160,000 - $200,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits:

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Richmond, VA; Atlanta, GA; Virginia Beach, VA; Raleigh, NC; Charleston, SC; Tampa, FL; Miami, FLCore Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMEmployment Status: Full-Time