Water Resources Project Manager

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 146,000 - 219,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec is seeking an experienced Water Resources Project/Program Manager to join our inter‑disciplinary team in Denver. You will lead large water resources planning and management engagements, guiding projects from conception through delivery and coordinating diverse stakeholders.

The role emphasizes policy insight, technical execution, and strategic client relationships across the Pacific Region and West, with a focus on collaboration, mentorship, and delivering high‑impact solutions for water

Qualifications

• Leadership experience guiding multi-disciplinary teams on complex water projects.
• Strong communication skills for executives, stakeholders and clients.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale programs in water resources.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project manager for water resources projects with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and quality performance.
• Mentor and coach developing professionals through project assignments and client interactions.
• Coordinate with leadership on budget planning, workload forecasting, and staff resourcing.
• Provide project leadership for water resources planning engagements across the Pacific Region and West.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team Building

Program Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Communities everywhere share the need for clean water. And as they work to meet that need, they’re facing new, more complex challenges every day. Our water professionals collaborate to contribute innovative ideas, guided by scientific rigor and a vision for sustainable growth. Every day, we’re helping communities improve, reuse, and protect our world’s most precious resource.

Join our team to deliver transformational projects that will benefit future generations. Grow with us, H2O+U.

Stantec is seeking an experienced Project/Program Manager to join our inter‑disciplinary team as a Water Resources Project/Program Manager. You will be an integral part of the leadership team, working closely with regional leadership in advancing a growing water resources project portfolio while building a robust community of practice around the integration of technical, environmental, economic, and social considerations regarding water resources. This role will enable you to apply and grow your expertise in water resources planning and management to support policy and program development, decision‑making, and project implementation to help our clients address complex water resource management challenges.

We're looking for professionals with deep experience building and running large water resources projects and programs in the western US. Our Water Resources team tackles challenges in California and throughout the West that address water availability and quality, changing water demands, climate vulnerability and risk, environmental protection and enhancement, and the institutional, legislative, and financial frameworks that shape water management. Your role will include leading a growing team, managing large and complex water resource planning projects, developing and maintaining client relationships, mentoring staff and advancing a collaborative environment of knowledge sharing, and contributing technically at the interface of policy, management, science and engineering.

Your Key Responsibilities

The following outlines key performance aspects and responsibilities that we anticipate with your role. These responsibilities and expectations are organized according to the four pillars of our business: managing our business and staff, doing work, winning work, and innovating.

MANAGE – Project Management

• Serve as project manager for water resources projects with accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and quality performance, from both client and Stantec perspectives.
• Effectively lead, challenge, and inspire staff; structure work assignments and delegation to expand delivery capacity, including creating opportunities for junior technical resources on projects under contract.
• Mentor and coach developing professionals through project assignments, exposure to different levels of responsibility, and interaction with clients and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Stantec leadership routinely on budget planning, workload forecasting, and staff resourcing needs.

DO – Project Work

• Provide project leadership for water resources planning and management engagements in the Pacific Region and West, performing a variety of tasks to plan, execute and deliver water resources planning and management services.
• Apply your knowledge of, and experience in Western water policy, water resources planning, and project implementation to lead project team and deliver multi‑objective water resources programs involving agricultural, municipal and industrial, and environmental water uses, hydropower, flood risk management, and other purposes.
• Advise and support state agencies, Tribes, irrigation and water districts, municipalities, and non‑governmental clients on water resources programs, funding strategy, and financial assistance administration, including water supply development, water efficiency, water reuse, and related program areas.
• Remain current on state and federal legislation, appropriations/budgets, agency policy, and regulations affecting Pacific and western water programs, and translate developments into practical guidance for clients and project teams.

WIN – Business Development

• Identify trends and leverage your knowledge of the water industry, water market and clients to guide pursuit strategies with federal, state, regional and private clients.
• Engage our clients in meaningful discussions about their most critical issues and translate those discussions into opportunities to deliver solutions.
• Develop and deepen client relationships over time through high‑quality delivery and thought leadership.
• Prepare proposals, provide strategic insight and lead aspects of marketing efforts.
• Enhance Stantec's brand presence and reputation in the industry through active participation in professional associations, conferences, and publications.

INNOVATE – Technical Growth and Innovation

• Develop and deploy scalable program delivery tools to communicate program performance and project‑specific information to clients, funders, and the public.
• Collaborate with Stantec's Office of Growth/Innovation to support global knowledge sharing groups that foster and grow innovative ideas to address water resource management challenges.
• Develop innovative program and funding solutions to address regulatory drivers, aging infrastructure, cost efficiency, and other market drivers.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

Leadership:

• Skilled leader and collaborative team player capable of building relationships both internally and externally.
• Skilled communicator in both oral and written communications, including briefings to executives, governing bodies, and public audiences.
• Skilled at building consensus and cooperation with staff, clients, and stakeholders at all experience levels.
• Skilled at inspiring, motivating, and holding teams accountable for delivery of complex, multi‑project programs.

Technical Expertise:

• Recognized industry leadership in the development, implementation, and management of large‑scale water resources projects and programs in the western US.
• Experience and expertise with policy, technical analysis, and integration of diverse expertise to support water resource planning and management projects.
• Experience with Federal and State legislative processes, budget development, and policy analysis affecting water resources programs.
• Experience in managing staff, prioritizing activities, and assigning tasks to meet project targets, budgets, and deliverables, including supervisory, hiring, and performance management responsibilities.
• Experience building and maintaining productive working relationships with state agencies, Tribes, irrigation and water districts, local governments, and non‑governmental organizations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, engineering, science, hydrology, or a related field required; advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Proven subject expertise; typically, 10 or more years of experience in water resources planning and management, including supervisory, management, and fiscal responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working in diverse team environments with staff, clients, and stakeholders.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other's talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.

Pay Range:

Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ, VA Areas-$145,600.00 - $218,500.00 Annually

Pay Transparency:

In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part‑time roles will be pro‑rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary:

Regular full‑time and part‑time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short‑term/long‑term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full‑time and part‑time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements

Primary Location: United States | CO | Denver
Other Locations: United States | CA | Sacramento
Organization: 1840 Water-US Pacific-Denver CO
Employee Status: Regular
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: No
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 03/09/2026 06:09:35
Req ID: 1007577

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.