Water Resources Section Head

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson•Richmond, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to shape the future of Water Resources in their Richmond office. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive growth, build a high-performing team, and expand JMT's presence across the Central Virginia region and beyond, while delivering impactful, resilient solutions for clients. The individual will manage projects, advance JMT's core focus on people, projects, performance, profit, and promotion, champion business development, oversee financial performance, mentor junior staff, and expand the firm's presence in Virginia. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise, entrepreneurial drive, client relationship building skills, and experience in innovative solutions for stormwater, drainage, and water resources engineering. This role involves collaboration across JMT's regional offices, engagement with key clients and industry leaders, and elevating the firm's presence in Virginia's evolving regulatory and infrastructure landscape. The position will support the continued growth of the Water Resources discipline in JMT’s Richmond office, building on a strong, multi-discipline engineering team with an established transportation client base. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of Virginia stormwater regulations, demonstrated experience in stormwater and drainage design for transportation projects, and the ability to support municipalities with MS4 permit compliance and TMDL implementation. The position involves applying sound engineering principles to plan, organize, and execute design assignments, while also serving as a technical mentor to junior staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from an accredited program
Minimum of 15 years of experience in water resources engineering
Professional Engineer License or ability to obtain upon hire
Proven experience in project management, team leadership, and business development
Proficient in Microsoft Office

Nice To Haves

Expertise in Virginia stormwater regulations, MS4 programs, TMDL implementation, drainage design, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control.
Experience in transportation-related Water Resources design and evaluation
Proficiency with industry tools such as MicroStation, AutoCAD, ORD, HEC-RAS, SWMM, or similar
Demonstrated success leading teams and managing staff performance
Experience working with Virginia-based local clients and agencies at the county and state level
Experience working with Chesterfield County, Henrico County, City of Richmond, City of Petersburg, and other local Central Virginia cities, municipalities, and counties.
Experience working with Virginia agencies including VDEQ, VDCR, and VDOT
Experience with Virginia stormwater regulations, MS4 compliance, TMDL implementation, stormwater management, drainage design, and erosion and sediment control,
Experience with MicroStation/AutoCAD and ORD
Supervisory experience

Responsibilities

Lead Growth & Client Engagement: Drive the expansion of JMT’s water resources practice in the Richmond/Central Virginia area through strategic business development and client relationship building.
Serve as a visible leader in the industry by attending and participating in local and state conferences, client meetings, and professional organizations.
Identify, pursue, and lead new opportunities, proposals, and interviews, positioning JMT for continued success.
Strengthen partnerships with municipalities, agencies, and transportation clients.
Build & Lead a High-Performing Team: Recruit, mentor, and develop a strong, collaborative team of water resources professionals.
Provide coaching, career development, and performance feedback to support growth and succession planning.
Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Deliver Technical Excellence: Oversee and contribute to the design of stormwater management, drainage, and erosion & sediment control systems.
Ensure adherence to JMT’s quality management processes and deliver high-quality engineering solutions.
Lead and oversee Water Resources analysis, design, and modeling efforts for projects, including transportation initiatives, specialized Water Resources assignments, and work performed under other office-wide on-call contracts.
Guide teams through complex regulatory environments, including Virginia stormwater requirements, MS4 compliance, and TMDL implementation.
Drive Operational & Financial Performance: Manage the financial performance of the water resources group, including budgeting, staffing, and profitability.
Align resources with workload demands to maximize efficiency and project delivery.
Contribute to the overall success of the office through strategic decision-making and performance management.