Senior Project Manager - Water/Wastewater

Kennedy Jenks Consultants; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 216,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Health Savings Account

401(k)

Bonus programs

Tuition reimbursement

Employee ownership

Registration support

Travel assistance

Paid time off

Holidays

Employee assistance program

Wellbeing programs

Professional growth

Job summary

Kennedy Jenks seeks a Senior Project Manager to join our Colorado team, focusing on water/wastewater infrastructure delivery, leadership, and staff mentorship. The role emphasizes project leadership, client engagement, and growth of engineering staff within a collaborative, community-focused culture.

Hybrid work arrangement with two in-office days per week, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits support the well-being and professional development of our people.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical or Environmental Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years in the water/wastewater industry with work experience in business development and sales.
• Colorado Professional Engineer (PE) license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery: coordinate planning through construction for water/wastewater projects, including pipelines, treatment, and pump stations; lead studies and design activities; collaborate across teams.
• Drive project performance: manage contracts, quality, finances, subconsultants, and schedule; maintain clear communication with clients and team.
• Support business development: engage clients, coordinate with marketing, and assist with proposals.
• Mentor technical staff: supervise and train junior engineers, develop writing and communication skills.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Business development

Water/wastewater

Mentoring staff

Education

Civil/Environmental Eng degree

Colorado PE license

Job description

Founded in 1919, KJ has always looked to the future. With a talented team of professionals and a culture of continuous improvement, we deliver exceptional engineering, environmental consulting, and construction management services, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects from planning through construction. KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, award-winning water reuse projects, and efficient construction management practices that ensure quality, safety, and on‑time delivery. We are known for our dedication to industry-leading client service and tailored solutions.

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Senior Project Manager to join our growing Colorado team. We are looking for someone who is as passionate as we are about the well‑being of our communities and who can inspire those around them. This role offers an exciting opportunity to focus on project delivery, leadership, and mentorship and development of engineering staff. It is important that this candidate has past involvement in managing and executing large water/wastewater infrastructure projects.

What You’ll Do

• Lead project delivery: Manage project delivery by coordinating technical work from planning through construction, providing engineering expertise on water/wastewater infrastructure projects including water distribution and transmission pipelines, sanitary sewer collection systems, treatment systems, and pump stations. Lead project engineering activities, including studies, conceptual and preliminary design, final design, bidding, and construction support services. Work collaboratively with technical teams, incorporating expertise from across the company.
• Drive project performance: Perform project management activities, including preparing and negotiating professional services contracts, managing project quality and financial performance, coordinating subconsultants, and identifying and resolving budget and schedule issues. Be highly communicative and responsive to team members’ and clients’ needs.
• Support business development: Lead and participate in business development efforts, including direct client interaction, coordination with marketing staff, and proposal preparation.
• Mentor technical staff: Supervise, mentor, and help train junior technical staff. Demonstrate strong writing and communication skills to enable the team to deliver exceptional work products.

What Makes This Role Different

• Community-focused impact: You help deliver infrastructure solutions that support the health, resilience, and well‑being of communities.
• Integrated leadership role: You combine technical expertise, project management, client service, and growth-focused leadership in one highly visible role.
• Team development: You help develop junior technical staff and strengthen project teams across the company.

What You Bring

• Communication and collaboration: Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to respond to client and team needs.
• Client and business development skills: Demonstrated ability to provide excellent client service, support sales efforts, and communicate clearly and positively with clients.

Qualifications

• Education: BS or MS in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical or Environmental Engineering or related field.
• Experience: 15+ years of experience in the water/wastewater industry with work experience in business development and sales.
• Licenses: Colorado Professional Engineer (PE) license required.

Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work‑life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and achieve their full potential.

Salary range for this position is expected to be between $130,000 and $216,000, depending on education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location.

Benefits summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a health savings account; a 401(k); bonus programs; tuition reimbursement; employee ownership opportunity; professional registration support; business travel assistance; competitive paid time off and holidays; an employee assistance program; and additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth.

#LI-hybrid

Kennedy Jenks is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.