Water Business Group Data Steward

HDR; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a senior leader to shape how Water data is defined, shared, and used across the Water Business Group. The role focuses on establishing technical standards, developing unified data definitions, and aligning data workflows with HDR’s strategy to enable AI use cases and reliable analytics.

Embedded in the Water BG, the position emphasizes enablement, collaboration, and leadership in data governance, data quality, and cross-functional delivery across HDR projects.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of strategic leadership experience in growing, developing and leading change-management teams.
• 15+ years of experience delivering diverse data-centric solutions to an organization and industry.
• Ability to work with leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers.
• Active participation in HDR’s employee-owned culture is a must.

Responsibilities

• Define and coordinate a network of SME expertise across the Water Business Group to define technical standards.
• Develop and maintain business-aligned data definitions for key engineering and technical terms supporting data models and AI use cases.
• Promote data fluency and responsible data use across the Water BG.
• Govern externally sourced datasets including access, approvals, inventory awareness, storage, and lifecycle considerations.
• Lead change-management efforts to drive adoption of data standards and tools across the Water BG.
• Regularly collaborate with Data Stewards, Enterprise Data Science Teams, and Enterprise Data Operations staff.

Skills

Data governance

Stakeholder management

Change management

Data quality

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree (architecture, engineering, data science, business, computer science)

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. This role shapes how our data is defined, shared, and used across all Water disciplines and their embodied service lines within the Water Business Group.

What You’ll Do

• Establish and coordinate a network of SME expertise across the Water Business Group to define technical standards, while ensuring alignment to Water data practices and enterprise expectations.
• Develop and maintain business-aligned data definitions for key engineering and technical terms that support structured data models, reporting, automation, and AI use cases.
• Use your technical network to build alignment and consensus around data processes, priority, and expected use.
• Promote consistent, responsible use of technical data, including access, data quality, best practice for format, and reuse.
• Support governance of externally sourced datasets (access, approvals, inventory awareness, storage, and lifecycle considerations).
• Promote data fluency across the Water Business Group.
• Coordinate with the Technology Director to align data workflows and initiatives to Water BG Strategy.
• Lead change management efforts to drive adoption of data standards, practices, and tools across the Water BG.
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with other Data Stewards, Enterprise Data Science Teams, and Enterprise Data Operations staff.
• Ensure new tools identified for implementation within the Water BG are aligned to data strategy.

What This Role Is

• Embedded in the Water Business Group (not an IT role).
• Enablement‑focused and collaborative.
• Part of technology leadership, focused on supporting effective project delivery.
• Connected to a broader Data Steward network.
• Focused on defining and enabling use of Water and service line data.

People Who Would Be a Great Fit

• Understand how data is delivered, defined and used in the Water industry and on projects.
• Trusted by peers and leaders.
• Can translate complex practices into clear, usable guidance.
• Comfortable making decisions and driving consensus.
• Strong data fluency and curiosity to keep learning.
• Bring a solid technical network to tap for feedback and alignment.
• Demonstrate credibility in data, technology, and delivery practices and can influence teams through clarity, consistency, and outcomes.
• Able to clearly communicate the importance of data integrity at all levels of the organization.
• Ideally a seasoned leader with influence and credibility (not an early‑career staff).

What Success Looks Like

• Establish repeatable data practices by defining how data is captured, structured, governed, and reused across systems, workflows, and delivery teams.
• Maintain a Water service line data glossary that people use.
• BGs have a well‑known, go‑to steward who can train staff and answer data questions.
• Data definitions and classifications translate into reliable data models and AI tools that answer the questions leaders and teams care about.
• Teams proactively reference shared definitions instead of creating local terminology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten years of strategic leadership experience focused on growing, developing and leading teams in change management and working with data.
• Fifteen years of overall experience providing diverse data‑centric solutions and services to an organization and the industry.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, data science, business, computer science, or related discipline or equivalent related experience.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the Water engineering industry.
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers.
• Committed to quality, improvement, and HDR values.
• Active participation in HDR’s employee‑owned culture is a must.

The expected compensation range for this position is $150,000–$200,000 depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location: United States – Nebraska – Omaha

HDR is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.