This Practice Director role in Water and Resource Recovery leads strategy, growth, technical excellence, and operational performance for a rapidly expanding practice serving Federal, State, Local, Industrial, and Private-sector clients throughout the United States. The role provides leadership and direction to engineering managers, technical leaders, and project delivery teams while driving business growth, client satisfaction, staff development, technical collaboration, project quality, and profitability. It combines business leadership, technical leadership, strategic project development, and organizational collaboration, connecting regional offices, technical specialists, business development professionals, and project delivery teams to pursue and win multidisciplinary consulting and engineering assignments while strengthening AtkinsRéalis' national water and wastewater capabilities.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy to sustain and grow the water treatment, wastewater treatment, reuse, biosolids, and resource recovery practices
Establish and execute regional growth initiatives and market strategies while identifying and advancing high-value consulting, engineering, and infrastructure opportunities across multiple markets, geographies, and technical disciplines
Lead strategic pursuits by defining strategies, technical approaches, teaming structures, scopes, schedules, fee strategies, and proposal content
Cultivate strong relationships with utilities, industrial clients, infrastructure owners, regulators, and industry stakeholders, translating client challenges and emerging needs into planning studies, assessments, pilot programs, engineering assignments, and implementation projects
Support acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and market expansion initiatives that strengthen the firm's market presence and long-term growth objectives
Serve as a senior technical leader and advisor across the Water and Resource Recovery practice
Champion technical excellence through active participation in AtkinsRéalis technical communities, global technical networks, and thought leadership initiatives
Establish and maintain a Water Infrastructure Capability Network that connects technical specialists, project experience, office locations, and delivery resources across North America, as well as linking this globally
Leverage specialized expertise to enhance project delivery and expand client service offerings through strong collaboration among regional offices and technical experts
Support the development and implementation of technical standards, best practices, innovation programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives
Provide executive-level technical oversight on strategic projects and help resolve complex technical, operational, and client challenges
Identify and advance opportunities for applied research, pilot programs, technology demonstrations, and innovation initiatives that strengthen organizational capabilities and create future business opportunities
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Evaluate current and future staffing requirements based on workload forecasts, strategic growth plans, and project demands, ensuring the organization has the resources needed to meet client and business objectives
Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing technical and management professionals
Conduct performance reviews and career development discussions with direct reports
Establish technical development pathways and succession planning programs to support long-term organizational sustainability and professional growth
Promote staff development through training, certifications, professional involvement, and leadership opportunities
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture centered on client service, innovation, and technical excellence
Strengthen regional capabilities through recruitment, staff mobility, mentoring, and the strategic deployment of technical specialists
Ensure projects are appropriately staffed and resourced to achieve successful outcomes
Maintain oversight of project performance related to quality, schedule, budget, profitability, and client satisfaction
Support compliance with established quality management systems and project delivery standards
Review project quality control plans and participate in quality assurance reviews and audits as appropriate
Partner with project managers and delivery teams to help resolve project challenges and coordinate multidisciplinary resources to ensure efficient execution
Maintain executive oversight of major projects while empowering project managers and operational leaders to effectively manage day-to-day project delivery responsibilities
Lead and support business development, pursuit, and marketing activities with both existing and prospective clients
Enhance AtkinsRéalis' visibility and reputation within the industry
Participate in conference presentations, publications, industry associations, technical committees, and other professional engagement activities that showcase technical expertise and thought leadership
Work closely with marketing and communications teams to develop technical content, project profiles, case studies, thought leadership materials, and market campaigns
Represent AtkinsRéalis with clients, industry organizations, public officials, regulators, and professional associations, strengthening the firm's market position and industry influence
Support business planning, forecasting, and financial performance management
Partner with project managers and sales leaders on pursuit planning, contract negotiations, and commercial risk management activities
Monitor business performance metrics including revenue growth, utilization, profitability, and backlog development, ensuring alignment with strategic and operational objectives
Support investment decisions related to strategic initiatives, research programs, recruitment, and capability development
Exercise financial stewardship through the approval of expenditures and capital requests in accordance with established authorization requirements
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical, or related Engineering discipline required
Master's degree preferred
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) required
Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in water, wastewater, reuse, biosolids, resource recovery, or related infrastructure consulting and engineering
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, business operations, growth initiatives, and complex engineering projects
Strong understanding of planning, process engineering, design, permitting, construction, commissioning, and operational optimization of water and wastewater facilities
Proven business development and client relationship management experience
Excellent leadership, communication, technical writing, collaboration, and presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic growth plans and lead major project pursuits
Ability to effectively represent AtkinsRéalis before clients, regulatory agencies, industry organizations, and senior stakeholders
Nice to have:
Experience with water reuse, biosolids management, nutrient removal, anaerobic digestion, renewable energy recovery, industrial water/wastewater treatment, and emerging treatment technologies
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision benefits
Company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits
Employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting
Employee stock purchase plan
Paid Time Off
Leaves of absences options
Flexible work options
Recognition and employee satisfaction programs
Employee assistance program
Voluntary benefits
About the Company
AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization that connects people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together with industry partners and clients, and a global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, the company is committed to leading clients across various end markets to engineer a better future for the planet and its people.
