Group Leader - Water/Wastewater

Build Critical Infrastructure. Lead Meaningful Projects. Grow Your Career.

At HR Green, our mission is simple: Building Communities. Improving Lives.

For more than 110 years, we've partnered with municipalities, utilities, and public agencies to deliver infrastructure solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life. Today, we're proud to be recognized as one of the nation's leading engineering firms, consistently ranked on Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms list, while also earning recognition as a Great Place to Work.

Summary

We're seeking a Group Leader to join our growing Water & Wastewater Practice in Houston. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished engineering and business leader to help shape the strategic direction and continued growth of our Texas practice.

In this role, you'll combine technical and project leadership with client development, team management, and business strategy. You'll lead the delivery of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects, strengthen strategic client partnerships, develop and mentor high-performing teams, and maintain accountability for the financial performance and growth of your group.

From major water treatment and distribution systems to wastewater collection, pumping, and treatment facilities, you'll lead work that improves public health, supports sustainable growth, and creates lasting impact throughout the communities we serve.

If you're an experienced engineering leader who enjoys developing people, growing client relationships, leading meaningful infrastructure projects, and helping build a successful practice, we'd love to talk with you.

What You'll Do

As a Group Leader, you'll provide strategic, operational, technical, and people leadership for your team while partnering with Practice and Senior Leadership to grow HR Green's Water & Wastewater Practice in Texas.

Strategic & Business Leadership

• Help establish the strategic direction, annual goals, budget, and growth plan for the group in partnership with Practice and Senior Leadership.
• Maintain accountability for the group's financial performance, including revenue, profitability, sales, billing, collections, resource planning, and overall P&L performance.
• Develop market assessments and help identify opportunities for growth within existing and emerging markets.
• Support the development and execution of regional market and business development strategies.
• Meet or exceed established sales and growth targets by strengthening existing relationships and developing new client opportunities.
• Identify emerging client needs and position HR Green to provide innovative water and wastewater infrastructure solutions.
• Collaborate with Practice Leadership to support workforce planning, market expansion, and long-term practice growth.

Client Partnership & Business Development

• Serve as a trusted advisor and Client Service Manager for strategically important municipal, utility, and public-sector clients.
• Develop and maintain long-term client relationships that result in repeat business and strategic partnerships.
• Anticipate client needs and recommend additional solutions and services to support their current and future infrastructure goals.
• Lead the pursuit process for significant clients and project opportunities.
• Lead proposal development, interview preparation, and pursuit strategy in partnership with technical and marketing teams.
• Leverage existing relationships and targeted business development efforts to identify, position for, and secure new work.
• Maintain strong communication with clients throughout the duration of projects and client contracts.

Project & Technical Leadership

• Lead large, complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects from planning through design, construction, and project closeout.
• Direct project strategy, scope development, contracts, budgets, schedules, staffing, and overall project execution.
• Lead the planning and design of complex water and wastewater systems, including:
  • Water treatment, storage, transmission, and distribution systems
  • Wastewater collection, pumping, conveyance, and treatment facilities
  • Utility master planning and capital improvement programs
• Serve as Engineer of Record for major infrastructure projects, as appropriate.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams while balancing technical excellence, client expectations, schedule, and financial performance.
• Establish project team responsibilities, assign work, and coordinate internal staff, contractors, and subconsultants.
• Conduct project kickoffs, status meetings, and formal project reviews to monitor progress, budgets, schedules, risks, and deliverables.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with HR Green's quality standards.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance across multiple concurrent projects.
• Review and approve engineering deliverables and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, design standards, and industry best practices.
• Monitor project financial performance and determine when scope, budget, or contract amendments are necessary.
• Oversee construction administration activities, contractor coordination, and successful project delivery through completion.
• Coordinate timely invoicing and collection of project fees.
• Serve as a senior resource for technical, contractual, schedule, and client-related matters.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and provide day-to-day guidance, direction, and support to assigned staff.
• Build, develop, and maintain a collaborative, high-performing team.
• Mentor and coach project managers, engineers, and technical staff while supporting their technical and professional development.
• Establish annual goals with staff and participate in Mid-Year performance conversations and Annual Performance Evaluations in partnership with Practice Leadership.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback and address performance concerns in partnership with Human Resources and Business Line Leadership.
• Engage employees in development-focused conversations and help identify opportunities aligned with their professional goals.
• Support staffing and workforce planning by identifying hiring needs and participating in the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention of employees.
• Work with Practice Leadership and Human Resources to address employee performance and personnel matters as appropriate.
• Promote technical excellence through quality reviews, knowledge sharing, mentorship, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate and support compliance with company policies, procedures, and expectations.
• Champion HR Green's culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and exceptional client service.

What You Bring

You're an accomplished engineering and business leader with a proven track record of delivering complex infrastructure projects, building strong client relationships, developing successful teams, and contributing to the growth of an engineering practice. You enjoy balancing technical excellence with business strategy and take pride in creating lasting value for clients, employees, and communities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license with the ability to obtain licensure in additional states where HR Green conducts business.
• 10+ years of progressive water and wastewater consulting or related engineering experience.
• Significant experience leading and developing engineering teams, including direct people management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multidisciplinary water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Strong experience with project financial management, including budgets, profitability, resource planning, billing, and risk management.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain long-term municipal, utility, or public-sector client relationships.
• Demonstrated experience leading business development activities, including client pursuits, proposals, and interviews.
• Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, presentation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across offices, disciplines, and functions.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel for company business.

Preferred Qualifications

Highly desirable candidates will also possess:

• 15+ years of progressive water and wastewater consulting experience.
• Master's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• Established relationships with municipal and utility clients throughout Texas.
• Experience with group, department, or business unit financial management, including P&L accountability.
• Experience developing and executing market or regional growth strategies.
• Experience leading major capital improvement programs or regional infrastructure initiatives.
• Strong history of winning new work and expanding strategic client relationships.
• Experience growing engineering teams and expanding technical or geographic practices.

Why HR Green?

• Lead high-impact projects that directly improve communities and public infrastructure.
• Work with a respected, employee-focused firm with more than a century of success.
• Enjoy significant project ownership, client interaction, and leadership opportunities.
• Collaborate with talented professionals across multiple disciplines and markets.
• Advance your career within a growing organization that values mentorship, innovation, and professional development.
• Join a culture recognized as a Great Place to Work, where your contributions are valued and your growth is supported.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and help deliver the infrastructure communities depend on every day, we'd love to hear from you.

Benefits:

Not only does HR Green provide you with a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and multi-faceted benefits package. Visit our website for detailed total rewards information.

https://www.hrgreen.com/careers/total-rewards/ 

HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.