Practice Lead - Water and Wastewater

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Direction
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities including geographic expansion, new service lines, and major pursuits
• Identify Merger and Acquisition opportunities that align with the overall service line, market, and corporate strategy
• Develop and execute strategies to successfully integrate W/WW acquisitions with the goal of unlocking synergies that drive growth
• Team Building & Development
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a team of Regional Leads, fostering an environment of growth, collaboration, and integrity
• Lead succession planning and talent acquisition strategies for key roles within the markets
• Oversee the allocation of resources to ensure project success and operational efficiency
• Oversee teams that are responsible for planning and design of Water and Wastewater infrastructure
• Financial Management
• Under the guidance of the Market Lead for Water, lead annual business plan/budget and long-range forecasting for your vertical
• Develop and own the W/WW vertical revenue growth, profitability (P&L responsibility), backlog health, and margin in accordance with the annual operating plan
• Guide pricing strategies, fee development, and resource allocation in alignment with financial targets
• Monitor and drive the vertical's performance metrics, ensuring that the team consistently meets or exceeds Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery
• Market Engagement & Growth
• Identify and capitalize on new business opportunities, expand relationships with clients and partners, and contribute to the overall growth of the sector
• Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing teams to shape go-to-market strategies, major pursuit plans, and capture efforts
• Serve as executive sponsor on key pursuits and client accounts
• Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and with public agencies to enhance market visibility and influence
• Project Oversight & Execution
• Provide leadership and oversight of all project delivery ensuring quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction from inception to completion
• Drive consistency in project delivery, leveraging best practices and standardized tools across teams
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with W/WW projects and operations, ensuring the safety and success of all initiatives
• Drive continuous improvement in project delivery processes and methodologies, enhancing overall efficiency and effectiveness
• Conduct technical reviews and provide guidance on civil engineering designs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices
• Collaborate with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to obtain necessary permits and approvals for W/WW projects
• Offer technical expertise and support to project teams, helping them navigate complex engineering challenges
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative solutions to address W/WW challenges
• Client Relations
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring a high level of satisfaction and trust in BKF's services
• Foster new client relationships in alignment with the strategic growth goals of W/WW and Infrastructure Services
• Collaboration
• Work closely with other leaders across BKF to share best practices, optimize processes, and contribute to company-wide initiatives
• Support other projects and teams as needed
• Maintain open and effective communication with stakeholders, including clients, team members, and senior leadership, to ensure alignment and transparency

  Requirements

  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in water and wastewater design
  • Proven success in P&L ownership, including driving scaled revenue growth, operational efficiency, and profitability management across multiple business lines or regions
  • Excellent business acumen with a focus on KPIs, operational efficiency, and scalable growth
  • Deep expertise in water and wastewater design
  • Demonstrated track record of business development and client relationship management in public and/or private sector markets
  • Strong understanding of project delivery methods, including traditional design-bid-build, progressive design-build, CM/GC, and other alternative delivery models
  • Deep understanding of project lifecycle management in the AEC industry, including planning, design, permitting, and construction phases
  • Exceptional leadership and people management capabilities with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills; able to represent the firm with clients, partners, and industry organizations
  • Strong working knowledge of industry trends, funding mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks affecting infrastructure investment
  • Client-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering excellence and value
  • Highly organized, analytical, and results-oriented
  • Able to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven consulting environment
  • Willingness to travel as needed to support regional offices, project sites, or client engagements