Client Service Director - Water/Wastewater
About The Position
Kennedy Jenks is seeking a dynamic Client Service Director in San Diego to grow and strengthen our public and private sector water and wastewater practice across our national footprint. This senior leadership role is central to Kennedy Jenks’ growth strategy, combining client relationship leadership, market development, team building, strategic planning, and delivery oversight for meaningful water, wastewater, stormwater, environmental, pipeline, and industrial consulting work. You’ll step into a well-established, high-performing practice with strong client relationships, an active project portfolio, and a national platform. Working alongside established leaders and project teams, you'll help build on that momentum by identifying opportunities, deepening client partnerships, developing high-performing teams, and delivering practical infrastructure solutions that support communities, utilities, and industrial clients.
Requirements
- BS or MS in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, or a similar engineering field.
- Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in consulting, engineering, or infrastructure services.
- Thorough understanding of the local consulting market, including municipal and industry client needs.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain licensure in CA.
- Client-centered leadership: A reputation for building trust, listening well, and aligning solutions with client priorities.
- Business development mindset: Confidence identifying opportunities, shaping strategy, and converting relationships into meaningful work.
- Collaborative influence: The ability to bring internal teams, external partners, and client stakeholders together around shared goals.
- Team development approach: A commitment to mentoring, motivating, and supporting inclusive teams that deliver strong results.
- Clear communication: Strong writing, editing, research, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
Nice To Haves
- Design-Build experience and DBIA certification.
Responsibilities
- Develop opportunities: Engage the marketplace to identify new clients, projects, partnerships, and service opportunities aligned with KJ’s water and wastewater growth strategy.
- Advance client relationships: Use established municipal, industry, and teaming relationships to expand service offerings and strengthen long-term client partnerships.
- Lead strategic pursuits: Guide positioning, teaming, proposal strategy, interview preparation, and pursuit planning for priority opportunities across your territory.
- Build high-performing teams: Collaborate with internal leaders on strategic hiring, staff development, team structure, and inclusive leadership that supports project and client success.
- Oversee project development: Support scope, schedule, fee development, negotiation, staffing, and coordination from planning through design and construction.
- Contribute to delivery: Serve as a project manager, project engineer, or project team member where your leadership and technical judgment add value.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
- A health savings account
- A 401(k)
- Bonus programs
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee ownership opportunity
- Professional registration support
- Business travel assistance
- Competitive paid time off and holidays
- An employee assistance program
- Additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
