Drinking Water Business Development Director
🔍 United States, Nebraska, Omaha
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?
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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.
The Drinking Water Market Sector (“MS”) Business Development Director (BDD) will lead the development and implementation of business strategies across all HDR geographies in coordination with Market Sector and Regional Business Group leadership, operational leadership, client managers and Business Class Directors. Reporting to the Director of Market Sector Development, and in full coordination with the Water Business Group leadership, the Drinking Water BDD creates and monitors frequent and regular communication across the Sector to drive top-line NFB growth and to implement the Drinking Water sector’s strategic initiatives, growth plans and marketing opportunities for the market sector. This market leader will support and collaborate across all HDR market sectors, regions, areas and business lines to advance a variety of strategies intended to grow services across the market sector.
Drinking Water Market Sector–Within the Water Business Group, the Drinking Water MS is a highly technical and diversified sector. This reflects that this service offering routinely works for local municipalities, private entities, distinct water utilities, Federal, regional and local governments, and similar clients in each of the 50 US states, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. In 2025 Engineering News Record ranked HDR fifth in size of business in the important water supply and treatment category. We have over 400 employees in this MS spanning the range of services from utility master planning, program management, strategic advisory services, transmission and distribution, water supply management, water treatment and reuse, construction management and inspection, and asset management and operations assistance.
The Drinking Water MS is comprised of a multi-layer organization to drive business and client development, while at the same time defining and implementing strategic drinking water initiatives for growth, coordinating best practices and quality professional services, and projecting the HDR brand in the marketplace. Specific attention is required to capture the potential of the wide spectrum of employees throughout the Sector, while at the same time developing and reinforcing the image of HDR with our clients across the various drinking water markets.
Business Development Responsibilities – The Drinking Water Market Sector BDD primary performance metric is achieving NFB goals for the sector. You will provide leadership and substantial support to assessing the Regional and Area marketplace positioning and determining optimal technical strategies needed to win and secure contracts and expand business. Business development efforts will extend across all business groups to coordinate with other Architecture, Transportation, Resources, Water, BES and Federal Business Group market sectors. This position will implement cross sector initiatives including One Water, the Value of Water, and other Sector strategies that are effective in gaining market share, and that will successfully interface with Regional/Area client development programs, our Strategic Pursuits program, and Regional/Area marketing managers/pursuit leaders. Specific business development activities include:
Incorporate our HDR and Water business vision within the market sector to become the industry leader.
Serve as the Client Manager for selected key clients within the Sector and be active and visible in the industry.
Serve as Pursuit Leader on select drinking water opportunities, leading by example in the development of pursuit strategies, proposal development and interview preparation.
Work with client managers to promote the marketing and delivery of all HDR services to Drinking Water clients across all HDR geographies.
Participate as a member of the Water Business Group Management and the National Drinking Water Market Sector Leadership Team support the coordinated development of international markets in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, in support of broader Water Business Group international growth initiatives. Work with Regional Business Group Managers and Client Development Leadership in the development and delivery of MS initiatives that align with area and regional drivers.
Work with the client development leaders to support client development, deploy pursuit strategies, and guide pursuit processes, based on proven capture techniques.
Provide direct support to selected pursuits through client relationship development and/or through development of strategy, technical differentiation, and participation in related pursuit activities.
Actively participate in industry associations in leadership roles and serve as a company role-model in business and community organizations.
Identify key investments (acquisitions and technology) that will maintain or drive HDR into an industry leadership position.
Maintain awareness of Area marketing capabilities and provide market sector support to Areas toward achieving Drinking Water MS booking goals.
Develop relationships with industry counterparts in other consulting and construction organizations.
Develop relationships with senior leadership in key client organizations.
Staff Development Responsibilities – The Drinking Water MS BDD will seek opportunities to enhance our performance to win new work within the marketplace and provide opportunities for staff growth and development. Through pursuit leadership and involvement, strategically align Drinking Water staff and projects to develop and deepen skills, while mentoring and growing their capabilities and talent. Lead and/or assist with the identification and recruitment of prospective future market sector employees.
Work with the Drinking Water MS leader, Business Class Directors, and practice groups to drive technical excellence and coordinate technical staff to promote quality delivery and our Drive to Zero initiative.
Coordinate staffing/recruiting plans for key hires and assist local leadership as necessary with local hires. Identify resource gaps and support talent management and recruiting.
Support to Key Project/Program Delivery – The Drinking Water MS BDD will assist Regional and Area Business Group leadership in key project delivery within the market sector. Key responsibilities consist of helping to drive client management, acting as Principal in Charge on key project delivery, and supporting the QA/QC program to provide for successful project delivery. Facilitate cooperation and eliminate hurdles and barriers to success. Work with a business group leadership to implement process improvements and leverage work sharing to meet or exceed planned goals.
Be aware of staff workload and facilitate work sharing within the market sector; promote effective use of company resources and assist in applying key staff/expertise to projects.
Assist with contract review on key projects to help ensure risk management, proper staffing, quality reviews and resolution of claims.
Take on Principal in Charge assignments that leverage this leadership role by driving client satisfaction, staff development, technical excellence and mentoring opportunities.
- Minimum 20 + years of experience in drinking water planning and engineering design, client development, and project management; much of that experience must reside within servicing of drinking water public and private clients and utilities.
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in an accredited civil or environmental engineering program.
- Maintain a professional engineering registration.
- Experienced in development and management of strategic positioning and technical differentiation for planning and/or engineering services.
- Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits.
- Experienced in overall staff development to include recruiting, career path development, and professional growth.
- Experienced with industry associations and maintains an active and visible profile in the market sector.
- Ability to work cooperatively with Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Director, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers and Area Manager.
- Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
- A minimum of 15 years relevant industry experience
- Demonstrated "self-starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight
- Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services
- Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others
- Demonstrated ability to build a network of clients and industry partners
- Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies
- Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in-person
- Demonstrated experience in growing programs in new or highly competitive markets
- Demonstrated experience in winning high-value contracts in the A/E/C industry
- Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
