Utility Management Services Business Class Leader

Utility Management Services Business Class Leader (BCL) – 193139 Overview HDR seeks an experienced collaborative leader to serve as Business Class Lead for Utility Management Services within the Northern California Water Business Group. The role provides strategic, operational, and people leadership for a multidisciplinary technical team delivering advisory, planning, and operational services to water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. Responsibilities Lead development and execution of the Northern California UMS Business Class strategy aligned with Water Business Group and national UMS objectives. Partner with the Water Business Group Manager, Client Development, Market Sector, and Professional Services leaders to identify growth opportunities and set priorities. Drive intentional growth through service expansion, innovation, and alignment with evolving utility needs and regulatory environments. Contribute to and support national UMS initiatives, knowledge sharing, and best practice development. Provide reviews of scopes of work, fee estimates, project risk identification, and project schedules. Serve as Client Manager for selected key clients. Function as a project manager on large or key projects. Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a diverse team of technical professionals across disciplines. Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that values different perspectives, continuous learning, and professional growth. Set clear expectations for performance, utilization, quality, and career development; provide coaching and constructive feedback. Build and lead high‑performing multidisciplinary teams that can adapt to changing client and project needs. Act as a trusted advisor to utility clients, engaging with executive leadership, management, operations, engineering, finance, and regulatory staff. Build long‑term relationships by understanding client organizational dynamics, business drivers, risks, and priorities. Lead and support client planning, strategy, and decision‑making processes, helping utilities align technical solutions with organizational goals. Participate in marketing planning, proposal development, interviews, and client presentations. Represent HDR in professional organizations and industry forums to strengthen market presence and thought leadership. Provide technical leadership and oversight across a wide range of UMS services including utility and asset management, business process and organizational assessments, strategic and master planning, operations optimization, treatment process optimization, regulatory support, infrastructure condition assessment and rehabilitation, capital planning, construction sequencing, integration with streetscape and urban design, technology evaluation, implementation, and data‑driven decision support. Promote and uphold HDR quality standards through effective QA/QC processes and knowledge sharing. Encourage innovation, technology adoption, and best management practices to improve client outcomes. Oversee Business Class operations – staffing, utilization, forecasting, delivery performance, and financial discipline. Support coordination across offices and with national resources to enable work‑sharing and efficient delivery. Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk management practices. Balance business, technical, and people priorities to support sustainable growth. Qualifications Master’s degree or greater in civil, environmental, or related technical discipline (required). 10 years of experience in a professional, architecture, engineering, or closely related field. Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and fostering collaboration across diverse skill sets. Project management experience delivering utility management, operational, or advisory services for public‑sector clients. Strong ability to engage utility organizations at multiple levels. Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills. Proven client relationship skills and interest in business and client development. Active involvement in professional or industry organizations (preferred). Commitment to quality, continuous improvement, HDR values, and participation in an employee‑owned culture. Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience. Experience in development and management of diverse teams. Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors, and marketing managers on business class efforts. An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of an employee‑owned culture is a must. Local candidates preferred; relocation assistance may be available. EEO Statement HDR is committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, arrest, or conviction records. #J-18808-Ljbffr