Wisconsin Water - Market Growth Director

Jacobs; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 165,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Performance bonuses

Stock purchase at a discount

Job summary

Jacobs is hiring a Client Account Manager for the Water Practice in Wisconsin. This role emphasizes strategic business relationships with key clients, ensuring high levels of client service and satisfaction in the water sector.

The ideal candidate will have at least 15 years of relevant experience, particularly in the Milwaukee area, and will be responsible for leading water client accounts and building strong partnerships within the sector. This position offers a competitive salary range of $165,000 to $250,000.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in engineering and/or related disciplines.
• Track record of winning contracts in Wisconsin and Milwaukee area.
• Strong contacts with Wisconsin water clients.

Responsibilities

• Serve as point of contact for client activities.
• Develop strategies to grow the water practice.
• Lead client service teams around a common vision.

Skills

Client relationship management

Team leadership

Business development

Technical writing

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or planning related to water

Job description

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we don’t settle – always looking beyond to raise the bar and deliver with excellence. We apply our expertise and knowledge as we look to the future with great optimism and focus, never settling until we give our best and know that we’re making a difference.

Client Account Manager – Water Practice (Wisconsin)

As a Client Account Manager for our Water Practice in Wisconsin, you will impact strategic business relationships with key clients, collaborating with Jacobs colleagues to maintain a high level of client service, achieve satisfaction, and position Jacobs as the preferred firm for water industry clients in the state. You will lead water client accounts for municipal, state government, and select private businesses, sustain existing engagements, and develop strategies to capture transformational work.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the point of contact for client service activities and develop strategies to grow the water practice for Wisconsin.
• Work with the Geographic Water Market Growth Director to align our Wisconsin strategy within the broader East Central geographic portfolio.
• Identify, charter, and lead client service teams of multi‑disciplinary project managers and regional practice leaders around a common vision of success.
• Facilitate deep client relationships between Jacobs personnel and client personnel (management, technical, functional, delivery) to weave a broad‑based partnership between our firm and our clients.
• Advocate on the client’s behalf by engaging the firm to address client needs and recommend strategic actions to optimize business development investment and market‑share growth.
• Work with office/corporate leaders to develop strategies for key hiring on strategic pursuits, identifying key project pursuits, team growth, office growth, profitability, employee development and employee satisfaction.
• Engage project and sales teams to ensure business development process discipline, influencing win strategy before and during proposal development, interviews, and presentations.
• Manage multiple sales budgets across a broad functioning team.
• Coordinate and facilitate the business development process, including Go/No Go decisions, and help develop required business‑development costs aligned with opportunity potential and ROI objectives.
• Mentor future sales leadership to create depth and succession in your geographical sales team.
• Participate in industry associations to build robust connections and support community engagement efforts to enhance our brand.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or planning related to water, or equivalent work experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in engineering and/or related disciplines associated with the water market sector.
• Proven track record of coordinating teams and winning work within Wisconsin, with a focus in the Milwaukee area.
• High‑level existing contacts and strong relationships with major Wisconsin water clients and a successful track record of winning work with these clients.
• Understanding of how to identify contracts early, respond to RFPs/solicitations, interview and win new work.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse internal teams, including sales staff, operations teams, market solutions technologists, legal, and contracting.
• Knowledge of and relationships with clients and potential teaming partners in Wisconsin, both large firms and small business partners, to advance our position in the market and develop responsive teams for our clients.
• Strong team‑leadership, consensus‑building, and communication skills; skilled in technical writing and presenting to clients.
• Proven record of developing strong relationships with key clients at all levels (from executives to key management).
• Substantial business development experience in the engineering and/or professional services/consulting industry, including client‑development skills.
• Strong business acumen and effective communication skills.
• Capability to negotiate with and influence others.
• Ability to lead an account team, set a vision and strategy, coach/mentor and motivate the team, reach into Jacobs to offer best‑in‑class solutions, manage commercial and legal negotiations, and close deals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical background/experience in delivering or managing large water projects or programs is considered a positive and adds credibility.
• Professional Engineering license preferred.

Benefits

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you and the things you care about: medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance; a 401(k) plan; the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan, and enjoy Jacobs’ unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. Certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonuses, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $165,000.00 to $250,000.00. Pay is determined by work location and additional factors such as job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.