Southwest Region Water Business Group Director

HDR; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 262,000 - 328,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Employer 401(k) match

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Southwest Region Water Business Group Director to lead strategy, market development, and high‑performing teams across the region. You will drive growth, cultivate opportunities, and champion innovative water solutions, with a focus on delivering measurable community impact.

The role requires 12+ years in water-related leadership, close collaboration with executives, and willingness to travel 50% or more.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong ability to drive revenue growth and market leadership in water.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with key clients and organizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a bold regional growth strategy aligned with HDR's Water Business Group vision and objectives.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and client needs to expand HDR's presence in the Southwest.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing regional leadership team with Directors to accelerate growth and deliver results.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Drive business development initiatives, strategic pursuits, and key client relationships for long-term success.
• Coordinate with Operations Directors and Market Sector Directors to align strategy and resources.
• Champion technical excellence, quality delivery, and HDR's strategic priorities.
• Mentor and develop Area Business Group Managers and emerging leaders.
• Identify and recruit top talent to strengthen HDR's leadership pipeline.
• Engage with water organizations and conferences to raise HDR's industry profile.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Business development

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Market expansion

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Shape the Future of Water in the Southwest

As the Southwest Region Water Business Group Director, you will help shape the future of HDR’s water practice across one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the country. You’ll drive strategy, cultivate market opportunities, build high-performing teams, and champion solutions that transform communities. This is more than a leadership role—it’s an opportunity to expand markets, develop talent, influence industry direction, and leave a legacy across the Southwest.

At HDR, we believe water is more than a resource—it’s the foundation of thriving communities, resilient economies, and a sustainable future. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll have the opportunity to influence some of the most important infrastructure investments of our time, helping communities secure reliable water supplies, protect public health, strengthen environmental stewardship, and prepare for a changing world.

We're looking for visionary leaders who see opportunity where others see challenges. People who are energized by growth, inspired by innovation, and motivated to build something bigger than themselves. Our teams bring together industry-leading technical expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and a passion for making a lasting impact.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a bold regional growth strategy aligned with HDR's Water Business Group vision and business objectives.
• Identify emerging market opportunities, industry trends, and client needs to expand HDR's presence and influence throughout the Southwest.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing regional leadership team in partnership with Regional Market Sector Leaders and the Regional Business Development Director to accelerate growth and deliver exceptional results.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and entrepreneurial thinking across the region.
• Drive business development initiatives, strategic pursuits, key client relationships, and new market opportunities that position HDR for long-term success.
• Partner with Regional Operations Directors, Area Managers, Market Sector Directors, and fellow Business Group leaders to align strategy, resources, and execution across the enterprise.
• Champion technical excellence, quality delivery, operational performance, and innovative project execution while advancing HDR's strategic priorities.
• Mentor, develop, and empower Area Business Group Managers, Business Development Managers, and emerging leaders to strengthen HDR's leadership pipeline.
• Identify and recruit top talent, helping build the next generation of industry-leading water professionals.
• Serve as a visible industry leader and trusted advisor through active engagement with key water organizations, conferences, and professional associations.
• Act as the primary interface between the Water Business Group and Operations, balancing strategic growth with operational excellence and business performance.
• Embrace continuous improvement while exemplifying HDR's values, culture, and commitment to delivering outstanding client outcomes.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• An established reputation and strong relationships within major water organizations, utilities, agencies, and industry stakeholders across the Southwest United States.
• A proven record of leading growth, building markets, and expanding client relationships within the water sector.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic business plans that drive revenue growth and market leadership.
• Strong operational, business development, and organizational leadership capabilities.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams through periods of growth and transformation.
• Expertise in alternative delivery models, program management, risk management, and complex infrastructure delivery.
• Professional registrations and active leadership within relevant industry organizations.
• A passion for mentoring talent, building culture, and developing future leaders.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout the region (50%+).
• A commitment to quality, innovation, continuous improvement, and HDR's values.

Why This Role Matters

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of HDR's most important growth regions during a transformative period for the water industry. You won't simply manage a business—you'll help build it. You'll shape strategy, influence investment decisions, develop market-leading teams, strengthen client partnerships, and help communities solve some of their most pressing water challenges. If you're energized by growth, inspired by innovation, and motivated to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Keywords: Water, Wastewater, Water Resources, Design, Construction, Consulting, Project Manager, Program Manager, Director, Engineering,

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• A minimum of 12 years experience in related field
• Demonstrated experience with leading diverse teams
• Works cooperatively with other regional business group directors, regional and local office managers, technical and marketing directors
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
• Strong business skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.

The expected compensation range for this position is $262,000 - 328,000 depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)

Primary Location:United States-Arizona-Phoenix Other Locations:United States-Nevada, United States-Nevada-Reno, United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Long Beach, United States-California-Folsom, United States-California-Sacramento, United States-Arizona, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-Pasadena, United States-Arizona-Tucson, United States-Utah-Salt Lake City, United States-Nevada-Las Vegas, United States-California, United States-California-San Diego, United States-New Mexico-Albuquerque, United States-California-Irvine, United States-California-Ventura Industry:Water Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Water Treatment Job Posting:Jul 28, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affineative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.