Water Program Manager - Data Centers

Overview We have an exceptional opportunity for a Water Infrastructure Program Manager (PgmM), focused on developing, coordinating, and delivering water infrastructure consulting and design projects and tasks for data center clients. The role will coordinate and collaborate with teams inside HDR to support water infrastructure‑oriented tasks—including environmental, permitting, industrial water/wastewater treatment, building architecture—and other expertise from all HDR service areas relating to data center water infrastructure. The role will also work with vendors and subconsultants as needed. Responsibility Details This role includes program development, planning, and project delivery responsibilities supporting water infrastructure relating to designing and constructing data centers for a specific client or set of clients. It will manage teams working to complete tasks from front‑end site due‑diligence evaluation, consulting, planning, and detailed design support through the construction administration and commissioning phases of data center projects. Services provided may include planning/consulting (due diligence/campus planning phase), design (including construction administration and commissioning phases), and O&A/retrofit scopes. The PgmM will also support water sustainability initiatives aligned with client goals. To execute these scopes, the role will collaborate with practices and professional discipline groups across HDR on staff assignments, technical services, continuous improvement of standards and best practices, and implementation of effective quality assurance and quality control procedures. The PgmM must balance the fast pace and variable environment of working with data center clients. The PM will participate in and oversee the execution of consulting, planning, and design scope delivery, managing performance, financial metrics, schedule, quality, contractual compliance, safety planning, risk mitigation, and overall client experience and satisfaction. Responsibilities also include day‑to‑day coordination of new potential task orders with the client and HDR’s Tech/Media/Telecom (TMT) business‑development teams, working with TMT leadership to grow HDR’s water‑related work for data center clients and continue our growth as a leading data center designer. The role will collaborate with business‑development teams to identify and develop opportunities and pursuits and work with client managers to formulate project approaches and detailed scopes that meet client expectations. HDR’s responsibilities require travel of 20‑30% across diverse geographic locations. Specific Responsibilities TMT Market Sector – Data Center Objectives Incorporate our HDR Corporate 2027 Goals and specific strategic vision within the data center / mission‑critical market to become the industry leader. Communicate strategic and growth business plans to meet key financial objectives of our TMT sector, specifically focused on Data Centers. Serve as the Client Manager for water infrastructure scope with selected data center clients in North America and be active and visible in the industry. Business Development Responsibilities Support business‑development and pursuit activities through identification of project opportunities, proposal development, presentation to clients, and scope development/contract negotiations after selection. Opportunities may include both new and existing sites. Cultivate long‑term, sustainable, value‑based client relationships with clients. In time, the role may expand to include partners such as subconsultants, water treatment vendors, and water treatment equipment manufacturers. Support to Key Project/Program Delivery Take on Project Management (PM) and Principal in Charge (PIC) assignments to drive client satisfaction, staff development, technical excellence, and mentoring opportunities. Manage day‑to‑day activities of project‑based team members, ensuring they meet deadlines and deliver high‑quality work, including task assignment, feedback, and collaboration facilitation. Identify key staff for new opportunities, monitor workload, and facilitate work sharing within and between HDR groups. Scope may expand to recruit new staff based on client project needs. Provide mentorship and coaching to staff working on data center projects. Facilitate development and dissemination of lessons learned, Standards & Practices, and other key delivery guidance/tools. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, Civil or other similar engineering disciplines. Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits. Ability to work cooperatively with multiple HDR positions such as Market Sector Leadership, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Directors, Area Business Group Managers, and Area Managers. Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Works well in a team and matrix environment. Highly motivated, articulate, and self‑starting. Proficiency in Microsoft Platforms. Demonstrated project management experience with winning and delivering projects in the Data Center and other industrial sectors, with responsibility for budget, schedule, contractual obligations, and quality standards. Preferred Qualifications Registration as a Professional Engineer. Project Management training and experience, including PMP certification. 10+ years of directly relevant experience in industrial water and wastewater engineering. 5+ years (within the total experience timeframe) specifically serving the Data Center industry. Experience designing industrial water and wastewater treatment plants, including development of conceptual/preliminary designs and detailed design document preparation. Knowledge of Google Workspace platforms (formerly G Suite or Google Apps). Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering. 7 years related experience. Minimum 2 years project management experience. Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location (e.g., P.E. or P.Eng.). MS Office and MS Project experience required; Access experience would be a plus. Demonstrated leadership skills. Attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must. Benefits We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends on skills, experience, education, and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions; temporary and part‑time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Minneapolis}: $120,761 - $172,515 {Columbus}: $115,010 - $164,300 {Denver}: $126,511 - $180,730 {California}: $126,511 - $180,730 Primary Location: United States-Missouri-Kansas City Other Locations: United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-Texas-Austin, United States-Nebraska-Omaha, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-Illinois-Chicago, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Michigan-Ann Arbor, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-Texas-San Antonio, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-California-San Diego, United States-California-Irvine, United States-Ohio-Columbus, United States-Maryland-Fulton Industry: Water Schedule: Full‑time Employee Status: Regular Business Class: WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt Equal Opportunity Employer At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest, and conviction records. #J-18808-Ljbffr