Coastal & Navigable Waterways Practice Leader

About the Role

HDR is seeking a companywide Coastal & Navigable Waterways Practice Leader to complement our growing Waterfront Infrastructure Business Class and Maritime Market Sector. As a premier Maritime professional services firm, HDR delivers custom solutions to challenging projects globally. This role bridges the gap between local sponsors (ports, state agencies) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), managing staff and programs to deliver complex navigational, economic, and environmental studies under Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to secure Congressional project authorization.

In this leadership position, you will drive technical excellence, market growth, and client relationships while fostering innovation in coastal and navigable waterway services. Your work will support economic vitality, public safety, and sustainable communities by shaping resilient infrastructure and advancing next-generation transportation solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead companywide development, coordination, training, and improvement of technical competencies in channel planning and design to meet client needs and market drivers.
• Collaborate with other practice leaders to develop transformative ideas that future-proof client investments and maintain HDR’s thought leadership in navigable channels and coastal trends.
• Drive open communication with practice group members regarding production needs and influence staffing and expertise levels.
• Identify market opportunities in coordination with Area Business Development Leaders and develop winning pursuit strategies; assist with local and national pursuits.
• Identify industry talent and work with leadership to attract and retain staff.
• Oversee project service delivery to meet client expectations and maintain standards for quality and consistency.
• Maintain qualification packages and staff skills matrices for project pursuits; assist in developing marketing materials, including proposals.
• Lead workshare communications to ensure technical excellence and enhanced utilization.
• Advocate for professional development of staff, including best practices, technical policies, credentialing, and automation tools.
• Serve as a project manager for major maritime projects, leveraging HDR’s global expertise to deliver quality work on time.
• Develop client relationships in coordination with business development leaders and local maritime planning staff.
• Represent HDR at state and national professional organizations.
• Act as a role model for HDR’s values, code of conduct, and professional/ethical standards.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Coastal Engineering or related discipline required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Professional registration (e.g., PE, PTOE, PTP, PMP) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of design experience managing civil/site design projects.
• 15+ years of relevant coastal engineering and/or planning experience in consulting or related fields.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permitting, USCG bridge and waterway rules, and environmental compliance.
• Highly proficient with coastal engineering principles, practices, design/build, and their application to project work.
• Record of delivering proposals and project deliverables with diverse teams.
• Strong knowledge of marine, port, and coastal construction laws, codes, regulations, and compliance practices.
• Experience providing critical review of complex technical documents and preparing high-quality deliverables.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in coordinating and directing subcontractors to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Flexibility to adapt to varying schedules, prioritize responsibilities, and work under pressure.
• Professional engineering license (e.g., PE or P.Eng) recognized by the licensing board for the position’s location required.
• Project engineering and project management experience.
• Travel required based on project-specific needs.

Benefits

HDR offers a comprehensive benefits package promoting employee ownership, health, performance, and success, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Short- and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid time away, parental leave, and holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.

As an employee-owned company, HDR fosters a collaborative culture with eight Employee Network Groups (e.g., Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) to create an inclusive environment where all employees are valued and empowered to contribute.

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is $111,720 – $210,000, depending on skills, experience, education, and geographical location. Stated benefits apply to full-time regular positions; temporary and part-time roles are eligible for limited benefits.

Schedule

Full-time.

Locations

Primary location: United States-Texas-Corpus Christi. Other locations include:

• United States: Ohio-Cincinnati, Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, Iowa-Davenport, Idaho-Lewiston, Louisiana-Metairie, Missouri-Kansas City, Nebraska-Omaha, Alabama-Mobile, California-Sacramento, North Carolina-Wilmington, Missouri-St. Louis, Georgia-Savannah, Texas-Houston, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, New York-Buffalo, Michigan-Detroit, Minnesota-St. Paul, Kentucky-Louisville, South Carolina-Charleston, California-Oakland, New York-Albany, Louisiana-Baton Rouge, Oregon-Portland, Virginia-Richmond, Florida-Jacksonville, Illinois-Chicago, Ohio-Cleveland, Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, Virginia-Norfolk.
• Canada: Quebec, Ontario-Toronto.

Industry: Maritime/Ports.