Management Consulting/Business Development Leader - Water/Wastewater

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Management Consulting/Business Development Leader to join our Management Consulting Team in Colorado and lead consulting engagements for municipal utility clients across KJ’s markets.

This role combines technical asset management expertise, client advisory, business growth, and project leadership to help clients strengthen workflows, improve data quality, and plan for long-term asset performance.

What You’ll Do

As a Management Consulting/Business Development Leader, you’ll guide consulting engagements from strategy through execution while partnering with clients and internal teams to deliver practical, data-informed solutions.

• Develop asset management plans and programs: Lead asset inventories, life-cycle cost analysis, service-level development, repair and replacement prioritization, and long-term financial planning to promote efficient, sustainable use of client assets.
• Advance business growth: Build client relationships, collaborate with marketing staff, prepare proposals, and participate in interview teams.
• Guide effective utility management (EUM) studies: Conduct gap analyses, shape strategies, and develop execution plans that improve utility processes, performance, and decision-making.
• Advise on systems and maintenance strategies: Recommend approaches for computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS software) and apply reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) and reliability-centered design (RCD) principles.
• Lead project delivery: Prepare and negotiate professional services contracts, manage project quality and financial performance, coordinate with subconsultants, and resolve budget and schedule issues.
• Build and mentor teams: Supervise, support, and mentor junior staff and project teams while fostering a collaborative, productive work environment.

What Makes This Role Different

• Strategic client impact: You will translate technical analysis into actionable recommendations that help utilities prioritize investments, improve performance, and plan for long-term asset needs.
• Technical mentorship: You will strengthen team capability by sharing technical expertise, guiding project teams, and supporting staff development.

What You Bring

• Consulting mindset: Ability to understand client needs, frame complex challenges, and develop practical recommendations for municipal utility environments.
• Asset management expertise: Strong knowledge of asset management planning, life-cycle costing, service-level planning, and long-term financial planning.
• Communication and collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a team environment, provide excellent client service, collaborate with internal teams, and communicate clearly across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Execution focus: Ability to manage priorities, address budget and schedule challenges, and deliver high-quality project outcomes.
• Tools, systems, and methods: Experience with CMMS software, RCM, RCD, gap analysis, proposal development, and professional services contract management.
• Work style or leadership approach: A strategic, collaborative, and client-focused leadership style with a commitment to innovation, mentorship, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Education: B.S. in Engineering, Geography, Management Information Systems, Environmental Science, or a similar field.
• Experience: 10+ years of combined experience in consulting with municipal utilities or working at a municipal utility.
• Areas of knowledge: Strong technical knowledge of the water and wastewater industry, municipal utility operations, and client service.
• Certifications or licenses: Certification or license applicable to Colorado, such as Professional Engineer (PE), Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE), or Institute of Asset Management Certification (IAM).
• Travel: Ability to travel as needed for client meetings, project site visits, conference attendance, and related business needs.

Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work-life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and achieve their full potential.

Salary range for this position is expected to be between $130,000 and $175,000, and may vary based upon education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location.

Benefits summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a health savings account; a 401(k); bonus programs; tuition reimbursement; employee ownership opportunity; professional registration support; business travel assistance; competitive paid time off and holidays; an employee assistance program; and additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth.

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