Municipal Client Relationship Manager- Water- Bay Area

About the role

GHD’s municipal business in Water and Transportation is in a period of accelerated growth. Over the past few years, we have doubled our municipal portfolio, driven by strong client relationships, technical excellence, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve. This next phase of growth is intentional, market-focused, and rooted in long-term partnerships with cities, counties, and local agencies.

Responsibilities

• Client Relationship Development
• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipal clients, including city governments, utilities, and public agencies.
• Act as the voice of the client within the organization, ensuring their priorities and challenges are understood and addressed.
• Develop and implement client interaction plans to engage decision-makers and influencers.
• Strategic Account Management
• Lead and mentor a Client Engagement Team to deliver innovative solutions tailored to municipal needs.
• Create and execute annual growth plans for municipal accounts, focusing on long-term objectives (3–5 years).
• Monitor trends in public spending, regulatory changes, and infrastructure investments to identify opportunities.
• Business Development
• Identify and pursue new opportunities within municipal markets, including water, transportation, and urban development sectors.
• Collaborate with technical teams to align proposals with client preferences during bidding and delivery phases.
• Maintain an active pipeline of projects and pursuits.
• Advocacy and Representation
• Represent the organization at municipal meetings, conferences, and industry events.
• Promote the organization’s brand and capabilities to municipal stakeholders.
• Facilitate multi-party communications when needed to resolve issues and advance strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or similar
• Professional Engineer license preferred
• Minimum 10 years of experience in client service management, or client relationship management preferably with municipal or public sector clients
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence at senior levels
• Proficiency in CRM tools (Salesforce in particular) and Microsoft Office Suite
• Strategic thinker with a client-centric mindset
• Strong understanding of municipal operations, governance, and procurement
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and build consensus
• Experience in client engagement and business development, with a track record of building relationships across government, industry, and community stakeholders
• Proven ability to develop and execute market strategies