Northern CA Drinking Water Market Sector Leader
About The Position
The Northern California Drinking Water Market Sector Leader is a key role within HDR’s growing California Water Business Group. This is an exciting opportunity to join our industry leading 100% employee-owned firm in an influential leadership role. HDR is a multidisciplinary firm specializing in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy. In 2026 Engineering News Record ranked HDR fifth in size of business in the important Water category. We have more than 400 employees in our Drinking Water Sector nationally and over 340 California based Water staff. HDR's Water Business Group offers a uniquely comprehensive breadth of traditional and cross sector services enabling holistic approaches to One Water challenges. Our services span utility master planning, water treatment, reuse, applied research, transmission and distribution, water supply, asset management, operations assistance, program management, construction management and inspection, funding and financing, strategic communications, advisory services, and more.
Requirements
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in water planning and/or engineering with a majority of that experience within the market sector.
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering, planning or a related field.
- If an Engineer, maintain licensure (PE).
- Experienced in development and management of strategic marketing programs for planning and/or engineering services.
- Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits.
- Experienced in overall staff development to include recruiting, career path and professional growth.
- Experienced with industry associations and maintains a visible profile in the market sector.
- Ability to work cooperatively with Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Director, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers and Area Managers.
- Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
Responsibilities
- Develop and drive a long-range Drinking Water mission, vision and strategy for HDR’s NorCal area
- Lead HDR’s Drinking Water branding in NorCal by engaging in professional organizations allied to the drinking Water market
- Collaborating with other technical and marketing staff in the pursuit of new projects, taking a leadership role in selected key pursuits
- Support the development of and provide reviews of scopes of work, fee estimate, project risk identification and project schedules
- Work as part of the NorCal leadership team to coordinate staffing/recruiting plans for key hires and assist leadership as necessary with technical or project management hires
- Work as part of the NorCal leadership team to develop and implement Water Business Group-wide initiatives
- Identify technical gaps and support talent management and recruiting
- Identity, develop and implement Drinking Water initiatives to NorCal Area marketplace
- Participate in industry associations and serve as a company role-model in business and community organizations
- Develop relationships with industry counterparts in other consulting organizations
- In alignment and in support of our Client Managers, promote the Drinking Water market
- Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews for Drinking Water projects
- Serve as the Client Manager for selected key clients
- Function as a project manager on large or key projects
- Assist with contract review on key projects to help ensure risk management, proper staffing, quality reviews and resolution of claims
- Other duties as assigned
Benefits
- employee-owned firm
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
