Senior Water / Wastewater Planning Project Manager

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe water is more than a resource, it’s a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you’re modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy. HDR is seeking qualified applicants for a Senior Water / Wastewater Planning Project Manager for utility infrastructure planning projects in the North Carolina Area. This position may be based in our Charlotte, Raleigh, or Winston‑Salem office. Desired areas of expertise include asset management, water and sewer system master planning, river basin water supply planning, GIS analyses, risk assessments, and alternative analyses. The position involves all aspects of project management for small‑to‑large‑sized planning projects in support of water and wastewater system facility improvements. Responsibilities Serve as the project manager for planning projects, maintaining task/project budgets and schedules, and mentoring junior‑level staff. Establish strong, productive, collaborative relationships. Work closely with client development leads, other project managers, other internal staff and client staff to define scopes of work, resource requirements, budgets, schedules and deliverables. Develop and maintain a backlog of planning project work. Prepare and periodically review/update project execution plans. Communicate progress effectively with team members and senior management. Provide effective leadership of the project team. Supervise project engineers/scientists and subcontractors in the successful delivery of technical projects. Manage financial aspects of project contracts to protect HDR’s interests and simultaneously maintain good relationships with the client. Ensure that all project work is completed on time and within budget, with a focus on meeting contract scope and terms and conditions. Monitor significant deviations/inconsistencies and project progress and take corrective action when required. Lead planning efforts and coordinate with other project managers, client staff, and stakeholders, including written reports, meetings, and presentations. Communicate efforts with client counterparts and ensure an ongoing positive relationship. Represent HDR in project meetings. Participate in or lead proposal preparation, presentations, contract negotiations, amendments, change notices, and contract claims. Understand and possess the ability to communicate technical concepts to other staff and the client. Develop relationships with HDR clients to identify and develop new planning project opportunities. Identify, develop, and lead the pursuit of new planning work. Lead proposal and interview efforts to win new work. Participate in regional and national conferences to promote HDR clients and projects. Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication and negotiating skills. Consistently adhere to and enforce internal HDR processes and policies such as business and contracting rules. Work in a manner to ensure personal safety and that of fellow employees by following HDR and client health and safety guidelines and policies. Perform additional assignments as requested by senior management. Perform other duties as needed. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field Experience with water/wastewater planning projects preferred Ability to perform out‑of‑office travel with occasional evening and overnight assignments, local candidates are preferred Proven ability to write technical information using appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling for concise, reader‑friendly clarity. Maintaining professional competency may require attending education classes and seminars, reading professional publications, and attending professional society meetings 5 years of experience in project management, planning, engineering, and/or construction on capital improvement projects with a track record of successful delivery of projects on time and within budget Excellent writing and communication skills are essential Experience with GIS Candidates should be proficient in using project control systems, problem solving, management, and client relations Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including team leadership, presentations, proposals, and management of client interactions Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize assignments, and build strong client relationships Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines Must effectively communicate with all project team members Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in related field 10 years related experience A minimum of 5 years of project management experience Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must Primary Location: United States, North Carolina, Raleigh. Other Locations: United States, North Carolina, Winston‑Salem; United States, North Carolina, Charlotte. At HDR, we are 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 and conviction records. #J-18808-Ljbffr HDR