Water Resources Senior Project Director - Water and Wastewater Design

Bkfengineers; Monterey (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

End of year bonuses

Profit sharing

401k

Paid time off

Job summary

BKF Engineers is seeking a Senior Project Director to lead a portfolio of complex projects and strategic client accounts across California. You will bridge project execution with area leadership, ensuring delivery excellence, client satisfaction, and team development.

The role oversees portfolio performance, mentors managers, and drives strategic business development, with travel to BKF locations as needed. A CA PE license and 10+ years of experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Environmental Sciences/Construction or closely related field.
• PE license in California is required; professional licensure preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience managing complex projects and leading teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and client accounts simultaneously.
• Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of multiple projects within budget, schedule, and quality targets.
• Escalate and resolve portfolio issues; monitor risks and mitigation plans.
• Mentor Project Managers and Senior Project Managers; support succession planning.
• Lead client engagement and business development within the portfolio.
• Ensure QA/QC, safety protocols, and process improvements across projects.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Mentoring

Client management

Business development

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Environmental Sciences/Construction

Tools

Project management software

Job description

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to have received the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

TheSeniorProject Directoris responsible forleadingaportfolio of complex projects andstrategicclient accounts within a defined practice area or geography. This role bridges the gap between project execution and area leadership, ensuring delivery excellence, client satisfaction, and team development. TheSeniorProject Director supports the Area Lead by overseeing portfolioperformance, mentoringProject Managers and Project Directors, and drivingstrategic business development within their portfolio.

Responsibilities

Project Delivery & Portfolio Oversight

• Oversee the successful delivery of multiple projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for project issues within the portfolio, resolving challenges and mitigating risks.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, and resourceallocation,report portfolio performance to the Area Lead.
• Implement and enforce firm-wide project management standards, QA/QC processes, and safety protocols across all assigned projects.
• Support Area Lead inidentifyingand implementing process improvements.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing regional team, which may include Area and/or Discipline Leads.
• Support succession planning and talent acquisition in alignment with sector and firmwide goals.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Client Engagement &Business Development

• Manageclient relationships within assigned portfolio; ensure high levels of client satisfaction and repeat business.
• Identifyand pursue new project opportunities in alignment with area and firm goals.
• Lead or support proposal development and presentations for new work within the portfolio.
• Collaborate with Area Lead on strategic pursuits and major client initiatives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise and mentor Project Managers and Senior Project Managers; provide guidance on project delivery, client management, and professional growth.
• Support onboarding, training, and development of project staff within the portfolio.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Provide input on performance reviews and succession planning for project management staff.

OperationalSupport

• Support the development of the regional budget and business plan in coordination with thePracticeLead.
• Monitor backlog, revenue, andoperatingmargin performance across the region.
• Monitor regional performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed to meet or exceed KPIs.
• Responsible for meeting or exceeding performance KPIs including, but not limited to,utilizationand project profitability.
• Optimizeresource allocation to ensure operational efficiency and project success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Construction or closely related field is required.
• PE license in California required
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Construction, or closely related fieldrequired.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the engineering industry, withdemonstratedsuccess managing complex projects and leading teams.
• Proven ability toexpertlymanage multiple projects and client accounts simultaneously.
• Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.
• Proficiencyin project management software and tools.
• Demonstrated experience in business development and client relationship management.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $185,000 - $230,000 annualized, depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, end of year bonuses, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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