Water Resources Consultant/Business Builder - Senior Level (Hybrid)

The role – what you’ll do

Barr is seeking a senior consultant and business builder to lead Barr’s growth in the Des Moines and central Iowa market. This person will build lasting client relationships, develop new work, and help grow Barr’s Des Moines office and broader presence in Iowa. In this role, you will lead business development activities in Des Moines and surrounding areas; conduct marketing, secure projects, serve clients, and collaborate across Barr to build multidisciplinary project teams that best serve client needs; and provide senior technical, project, and client leadership for a diverse range of projects. In short, you will be a senior seller-doer with the opportunity to help shape Barr’s long-term presence in Iowa. You will establish and grow Barr’s local and statewide presence through business development opportunities, client relationship development, brand building, industry engagement, strategic partnership development, and coordination of local market initiatives across Barr market sectors and focus service areas.

The person in this position will work in close partnership with a senior Des Moines-based staff member who provides leadership focused on internal office development, staff integration, and staff connectivity. Together, they will provide coordinated leadership for the Des Moines office, balancing external market and business development with the internal needs of the office and its staff.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate success in growth strategy, client development and retention, opportunity positioning and pursuits, proposal development, reputation building, and successful project delivery. The position also requires strong technical and project leadership, effective interpersonal and communication skills, senior-level collaboration and people leadership experience, and the initiative to work effectively in Barr’s collaborative and self-directed environment.

Your impact – key responsibilities

• Business development leadership: develop strategic growth plans; manage and grow client relationships; lead business development efforts; support project positioning, proposal development, brand positioning, communications strategy, teaming partner development, support recruitment planning, and industry engagement to expand market presence and build high-performing regional teams.
• Industry leadership: represent Barr through client engagement, conference participation, professional organization involvement, thought leadership, and other activities that strengthen Barr’s reputation in Iowa. Help shape Barr’s long-term growth strategy across Iowa by identifying priority markets, service opportunities, strategic partnerships, and future staffing needs that support sustainable office expansion.
• Collaborative office leadership: partner closely with a senior Des Moines-based staff member to align market-development activities with internal office needs, staff integration, recruiting coordination, and local office culture.
• Strategic hiring and team-building input: provide input regarding future team composition, strategic hires, technical capabilities, and business development needs required to support market growth.
• Technical knowledge: bring multi-disciplinary design team experience with an emphasis on water resources challenges such as hydrologic and hydraulic modelling and analyses, flood risk management, water quality modeling, stormwater BMPs, green infrastructure, urban stormwater projects, stream restoration, and other tasks.
• Project and task management: assist with planning, coordinating, and executing projects; help ensure project milestones are met; and provide regular updates to project team members and clients.

About the opportunity

• Hybrid: a hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office with at least three days, on average, in the Des Moines office. This position is based out of Barr’s Des Moines, Iowa, office.
• Founding leadership opportunity: this is a unique opportunity to establish and grow Barr’s long-term presence in Iowa, influence office expansion, build enduring client relationships, and help create the next generation of Barr leaders in the region.
• Work environment: ability to work in an office environment. Candidates must be able to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

About you – required core competencies

• Education: bachelor’s degree in water resources engineering, civil/environmental engineering, landscape architecture, environmental science, or other relevant disciplines.
• Experience: 15+ years of consulting experience with an emphasis on water resources.
  • Experience with proposal development, client management, and business development.
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary design teams across regions and offices
  • Experience launching or significantly expanding a local market, regional practice, or new office presence.
• Licenses: professional licensure such as PE, PLA, or another relevant license.
• Driver’s license: possession of a current, valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by Barr, now or in the future.

Helpful additional experience (not required)

• Master’s degree or PhD in water resources engineering, civil/environmental engineering, landscape architecture, environmental science, or other relevant disciplines.
• Experience serving as a visible industry leader through presentations, industry engagement, committee participation, professional organization leadership, or client advisory roles.

Compensation: anticipated base salary range for this position is $140,000–$160,000 annually. Compensation will vary based on relevant experience, education, skill level, and other compensable factors. Employees in this position may also be eligible for a discretionary cash bonus based on team and individual performance. This position is classified as exempt (salaried) under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

#LI-Hybrid

Benefits - what we offer

We are committed to providing an employee experience that attracts and retains top talent. That's why we offer a competitive package of employee benefits - including some unique offerings not found at other companies. At Barr, we also believe that learning doesn't stop when you get your degree, which is why we provide coaching, mentoring, and support for ongoing educational opportunities to foster professional development at every stage of your career.

• Competitive, affordable insurance plans: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care

• Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contribution and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with company contribution in Barr stock

• Profit distribution: Barr has a "no retained earnings" model and distributes all profit to our employees through our annual bonus distribution plan, ESOP, and dividends to shareholders

• Professional development benefits: Annual time and expense allowances, mentorship program, and many internal training opportunities

• Work/life balance: Paid time off, holidays, overtime for non-exempt/hourly staff, and compensatory time for exempt/salaried staff (time off or pay for extra time worked), paid family leave

• Wellness focus: Ergonomic analysis and equipment, Personal Protective Equipment allowance, wellbeing-focused educational opportunities

Please note that benefits eligibility is determined and may change based on part-time, reduced-time, or full-time status.

About us - why choose Barr

At Barr, you'll join a community of engineers, scientists, and professionals who will help you achieve your ambitions and build a meaningful, rewarding career. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients who value Barr's tailored solutions and commitment to exceptional service.

As part of our employee-owned firm, you'll contribute to a culture of commitment and camaraderie where staff can thrive as professionals. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and believe an inclusive workplace is critical to our success.

To learn more about Barr's culture and values, visit:

Open positions at Barr Engineering Co. do not have application deadlines. Barr Engineering Co. is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.