South Carolina Water Business Group Manager

HDR • Fort Mill, SC

67d

About The Position

HDR is seeking an experienced water industry leader to lead its South Carolina Water Business Group. This hands-on, client-focused role combines project delivery, pursuit leadership, business development, team development, and accountability for business performance. The manager will help grow HDR’s presence in South Carolina across the Drinking Water, Wastewater, Water Resources Management, and Federal Water market sectors, with a focus on sustainable year-over-year growth and strong client outcomes.

The role includes maintaining strategic client relationships, leading and supporting priority projects, developing new business, and recruiting, coaching, and mentoring staff. The manager monitors team and business metrics—including net fee earned, utilization, direct labor, backlog, and project profitability—and takes corrective action as needed to meet business plan targets. The position also represents HDR through industry organizations, conferences, and strategic partnerships, working with regional and national leaders to advance growth initiatives.

HDR describes its culture as employee-owned, collaborative, and committed to inclusion, respect, and empowering employees to contribute their perspectives. Employee Network Groups support belonging and engagement across the company.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a professional, architecture, engineering, or closely related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading diverse teams.
• Commitment to quality, improvement, and HDR values.
• Active engagement in professional or industry associations to enhance HDR’s technical expertise and brand.
• Ability to work cooperatively with regional and local office managers, other area business group directors, technical directors, and marketing managers.
• Commitment to actively participating in HDR’s employee-owned culture.

Nice To Haves

• Professional or engineering registration and related technical experience.
• Five or more years of experience with program development, pursuit management, and client relationship development in the water consulting industry.
• Proven business development success in the water consulting industry.
• An existing network of clients and teaming partners in South Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Maintain key client relationships, lead strategic pursuits, and support project delivery to promote strong client outcomes and repeat business.
• Serve as a project manager, technical lead, or senior advisor on high-priority projects and ensure scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives are achieved.
• Identify business opportunities, lead proposal development, participate in interviews, and secure new work across the region.
• Recruit, coach, and develop staff while fostering accountability, technical excellence, and a high-performance culture focused on utilization and project delivery.
• Monitor and manage net fee earned, utilization, direct labor, backlog, and project profitability; implement corrective actions as needed to achieve business plan targets.
• Partner with regional and national leaders to advance growth initiatives and strengthen client relationships.
• Lead pursuit and proposal efforts and represent HDR through industry organizations, conferences, and strategic partnerships to achieve bookings and growth objectives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager