Sr. Project Manager, Water Resources

wsb•Austin, TX

About The Position

WSB is seeking a Senior Project Manager, Water resources to add to our growing team. WSB was founded on the understanding that culture drives results, and we've dedicated ourselves to the value of strong relationships, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas. We've inspired each other to discover thoughtful and creative solutions that look beyond the needs of today to the opportunities of tomorrow. The Sr. Project Manager, Water Resources provides senior technical leadership and project management for complex water resources, stormwater, flood mitigation, water quality, and utility infrastructure projects for municipal and public‑sector clients across Texas. This role leads multidisciplinary teams through all phases of delivery, from watershed studies and preliminary engineering through final design, permitting, and construction support. Ensuring regulatory compliance, technical excellence, and cost‑effective solutions, particularly within FEMA floodplains and environmentally sensitive areas. Serving as a trusted advisor, the Senior Project Manager oversees hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, water quality and detention design, and agency coordination while mentoring staff, managing budgets and schedules, supporting client relationships, and contributing to sustained growth of the Water Resources group. Serving as a technical expert, team mentor, project manager, and client liaison, the Sr Project Manager plays a key role in the success of high-visibility initiatives and contributes to long-term business growth. Additionally, this role provides direct leadership and oversight to staff. We invite you to forge ahead with us.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required; Master’s degree preferred (or similar degree from an accredited institution).
12+ years of progressive engineering experience in the A/E/C industry, including experience managing projects and teams.
10+ years of modeling and drainage design experience, including hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, water quality and detention design, and agency coordination while mentoring staff, managing budgets and schedules, supporting client relationships, and contributing to sustained growth of the Water Resources group
Familiar with FEMA Flood Insurance Mapping process and procedures; Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) preferred.
Experience working for or with the City of Austin is preferred
Professional Engineer (PE) license required in the state of Texas.
TxDOT pre-certifications.
Possession of a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and the ability to operate a motor vehicle is required.
Familiar with Microstation, OpenRoads Drainage, XPSWMM, HECRAS, Bentley, AutoCAD, GIS and other related software programs.
Microsoft Suite Products (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc).
Experience with cloud-based design tools such as BIM 360, Projectwise and Autodesk Construction Cloud.
Travel or field visits may be required to support project needs or stakeholder collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) preferred
Experience working for or with the City of Austin is preferred

Responsibilities

Lead multi-disciplinary teams in the design and delivery of stormwater and flood mitigation projects, including storm drain improvement systems (culverts, bridges, and channel modifications), stormwater treatment facilities, and innovative solutions addressing watershed, urban streambank, flooding, erosion, and water quality challenges.
Direct the development of project plans, technical designs, reports, specifications, and cost estimates.
Serve as the Engineer of Record, ensuring compliance with applicable engineering standards, codes, and regulatory requirements.
Provide high-level technical oversight and review of calculations, models, and deliverables prepared by junior staff.
Lead and delegate project schedules, budgets, and resource planning to ensure timely and cost-effective project delivery.
Lead client communication, presenting technical concepts and project updates clearly and confidently.
Proactively identify and resolve complex engineering and construction challenges with innovative, cost-effective solutions.
Support strategic pursuits, including proposal development, scope definition, and fee estimation.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, agencies, and subconsultants to support long-term business development.
Participate in and contribute to quality assurance and process improvement initiatives across the organization.
Represent the firm at industry events, public meetings, and stakeholder engagements as needed.
Ensure project documentation, records, and design decisions are maintained accurately and consistently.
Mentor and develop junior engineers and technicians through technical guidance, performance feedback, and career development support.
May remain in stationary position for extended periods.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Demonstrates expanded leadership across larger teams, broader scope, and/or increased operational complexity compared to the Manager level.
Executes specific goals & operational plans for assigned teams against Group plans.
Plans for upcoming work, allocates budgets, & schedules needed resources.
Maintains adherence to quality standards and administrative policies (e.g., time sheets, expense reports).
Leads people through coaching and development, effective performance management, and hiring and workforce planning.
Manages complex, multi‑month project portfolios with cross‑team coordination.
Anticipates mid‑term risks and resource needs, adjusting plans to ensure delivery.
Provides guidance to project managers and team leads on priorities, budgets, and timelines.
Drives process improvements that enhance efficiency and delivery consistency.
Owns client relationships for assigned projects or clients, ensuring strong partnerships and alignment to client priorities.
Proactively identifies and supports opportunities to expand services and contributes to new client development efforts.
Manages client risks, resolves complex issues, maintains client trust, and supports pursuit efforts using company tools and processes.