Project Director- Water-Southern, CA

About the Role

The role blends client relationship management with delivery leadership, requiring the director to act as a trusted advisor, oversee project execution, and translate successful outcomes into repeat business. Responsibilities include shaping pursuit strategies, collaborating with market leads and technical teams, and maintaining financial and operational accountability for assigned accounts. Additional duties involve maintaining subject‑matter expertise, guiding a small team of account managers, developing strategic relationship‑management plans for complex prospects, and driving sales opportunities through networking and market intelligence. The director will also ensure compliance with regulations, procurement standards, and internal governance while promoting a customer‑focused culture. • Serve as trusted advisor to municipal clients, managing project delivery and client satisfaction. • Lead delivery of water and transportation projects, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, and quality targets. • Convert successful project outcomes into repeat work, expanded scope, and follow‑on opportunities. • Shape and lead pursuit proposals in partnership with relationship managers and technical teams. • Oversee project performance metrics such as backlog, margin, and client health for assigned accounts. • Maintain subject‑matter expertise in technology, policy, or regulation and keep certifications current. • Manage a portfolio of complex client accounts and mentor junior account managers. • Develop and implement relationship‑management plans for strategic, high‑value prospects. • Generate sales opportunities through networking, market intelligence, and brand promotion. • Configure and negotiate tailored solutions with cross‑functional teams to meet client needs profitably. • Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, procurement requirements, and internal governance. • Achieve key performance indicators: client portfolio bookings, net‑level margin, and client satisfaction scores.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸project delivery
• ▸scope management
• ▸budget control
• ▸client advisory
• ▸relationship management
• ▸compliance

What You Bring

Our municipal Water and Transportation practice is experiencing rapid growth, with plans to double the Transportation segment over the next four years. To support this, we are hiring a Project Director‑Water for Southern California, who can work from Irvine, Long Beach, San Diego, or Los Angeles and participate in a hybrid schedule of three office days per week. Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field, with a professional engineering license preferred. At least ten years of municipal or public‑sector project delivery experience, strong business‑development skills, and proficiency with CRM tools such as Salesforce are required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership abilities are essential. • Minimum 10 years of municipal/public‑sector project delivery experience; professional engineer license preferred. • Proficient in Salesforce and Microsoft Office; strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Requirements

• ▸10+ years
• ▸pe license
• ▸salesforce
• ▸microsoft office
• ▸leadership
• ▸engineering degree

Benefits

GHD offers a competitive salary range of $152,000‑$253,000 based on location and experience, and is an equal‑opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We pledge to empower employees to make a positive impact on the planet through innovative solutions and a supportive career environment.

Work Environment

Hybrid