Director/ Principal - Water Resources
About The Position
We are seeking a Water Market focused Director/Principal to join our Environmental Sciences, Planning, & Sustainability (EPS) practice. This senior leadership role is responsible for leading and growing Rincon’s Water Market presence throughout Southern California. As a member of Rincon’s senior leadership team, you will guide strategic growth, strengthen client relationships, and elevate Rincon’s visibility in the water sector. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with local and statewide leadership, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and oversee complex, high-impact projects supporting water agencies and infrastructure providers throughout the region. This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Los Angeles, Ventura, Carlsbad or San Diego. (Please note: While this position may be listed under a specific city, candidates located near any of the offices listed above are encouraged to apply)
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, planning, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
- 15+ years of experience in project, program, or client management supporting potable water, wastewater, recycled water, or water supply infrastructure projects.
- Demonstrated success developing and maintaining a strong client base within Southern California.
- Established relationships with municipal, regional, or state water agencies.
- Experience with water supply planning, recycled water, wastewater, groundwater, water quality, modeling, asset management, and SGMA studies and implementation.
- Active involvement in water-sector or environmental industry organizations at the regional or statewide level.
- Proven leadership, business development, and client service management experience.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Working knowledge of project management systems, budgeting, scheduling, scoping, cost analysis, and resource planning.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint).
- Familiarity with emerging technologies and AI-driven tools supporting water resource planning, infrastructure asset management, predictive modeling, or regulatory compliance.
- Experience integrating data analytics, automation, or digital workflows into environmental planning or water infrastructure programs.
Nice To Haves
- Experience leading large, multi-office or programmatic client accounts.
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee multi-disciplinary water resources programs, including planning, permitting, CEQA/NEPA compliance, and construction compliance efforts.
- Direct complex project teams across water resources planning, groundwater sustainability, climate adaptation and resilience, regulatory permitting, environmental investigations, and construction mitigation monitoring.
- Serve as primary client manager and trusted advisor for strategic water-sector clients.
- Guide and ensure consistency, quality, and technical excellence across all phases of project delivery, from proposal development through final reporting.
- Conduct and oversee agency consultations at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Represent Rincon at public meetings, hearings, and presentations to agency decision-making bodies.
- Expand and strengthen Rincon’s Water Market client base throughout Southern California.
- Lead business development efforts, including proposal strategy, pursuit development, interviews, marketing, networking, and client outreach.
- Contribute to and implement the annual Business Plan and five-year Strategic Plan for the Water Market sector.
- Support financial performance, project management oversight, backlog planning, utilization tracking, and reporting requirements.
- Oversee quality assurance/quality control procedures and support company risk management initiatives.
- Grow, mentor, and develop Rincon’s Water Team through recruitment, staffing, coaching, and performance management.
- Supervise and guide staff to promote productivity, engagement, professional development, and recognition.
- Mentor mid-level staff in developing leadership, client management, and project management skills.
Benefits
- We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
