Wastewater Project Manager

HDR; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Project Manager to support the Water Business Group in the Nebraska/Iowa region. You will lead complex wastewater projects, manage scopes, schedules, and budgets, and mentor staff while driving new business opportunities with water clients.

You will collaborate with multiple disciplines and business leadership to deliver high quality outcomes, strengthen client relationships, and advance HDR’s water initiatives across markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required.
• 7 years of related experience.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience.
• Professional engineering license (PE) recognized in position location.
• Experience with MS Office and MS Project (Access is a plus).
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Commitment to HDR’s employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Participate in delivery of engineering services, leading technical design and project management.
• Develop and manage projects with technical complexity, coordinating multiple disciplines.
• Track and manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and deliverables.
• Coordinate staffing and workload balance to ensure successful completion of deliverables.
• Maintain quality in project delivery and implement QA/QC procedures.
• Collaborate with accounting, operations, and business leadership for project reviews.
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen client relationships; lead client management activities.
• Collaborate with other water market sectors to meet client needs and expand services.
• Advance corporate and regional water initiatives to identify market opportunities.
• Engage in professional groups and presentations for associations.
• Pursue new projects with Business Class and Marketing staff; act as champion in key pursuits.
• Serve as Project Manager for key projects, supporting Business Class staff development.
• Supervise and mentor staff.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client relations

Communication

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree

PE license

PMP certification

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Access

Job description

About the Role

HDR is a leading engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services firm dedicated to delivering safe drinking water, treating wastewater, and protecting communities through flood control and sustainable water solutions. This role supports our Water Business Group in the Nebraska/Iowa area, managing complex wastewater projects and driving new business development opportunities with water clients.

Responsibilities

• Participate in delivery of engineering services, leading technical design and project management.
• Develop and manage projects with technical complexity, coordinating multiple disciplines.
• Track and manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate staffing and workload balance to ensure successful completion of deliverables.
• Maintain quality in project delivery and implement QA/QC procedures.
• Collaborate with accounting, operations, and business leadership for periodic project reviews.
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen client relationships; lead client management activities.
• Collaborate with other water market sectors and business groups within HDR to meet client needs and expand services.
• Participate in developing and advancing corporate and regional water initiatives to identify and capture market opportunities.
• Engage in internal and external professional discipline groups, project teams, and activities to continually improve standards and best practices, including presentations for professional associations.
• Collaborate with Business Class and Marketing staff in pursuit of new projects, acting as champion in selected key pursuits.
• Serve as Project Manager for key/strategic projects, providing technical input for Business Class, and assisting in developing capabilities of Business Class staff.
• Supervise and mentor staff.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• 7 years of related experience.
• Minimum 2 years of project management experience.
• Professional engineering license recognized in the location of the position (e.g., PE or P.Eng).
• Experience with MS Office and MS Project (Access experience is a plus).
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Commitment to actively participating in HDR’s employee‑owned culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• PMP certification.

Location and Schedule

Primary location: Omaha, Nebraska (other locations: Des Moines, Ames, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Lincoln, Iowa). Full‑time, regular employee status. Business class: WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

HDR is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records. HDR is committed to the principles of employment equity.