Water Resources Senior Project Director - Water and Wastewater Design

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to have received the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

The Senior Project Director is responsible for leading a portfolio of complex projects and strategic client accounts within a defined practice area or geography. This role bridges the gap between project execution and area leadership, ensuring delivery excellence, client satisfaction, and team development. The Senior Project Director supports the Area Lead by overseeing portfolio performance, mentoring Project Managers and Project Directors, and driving strategic business development within their portfolio.

Responsibilities

Project Delivery & Portfolio Oversight

• Oversee the successful delivery of multiple projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

• Serve as the primary point of escalation for project issues within the portfolio, resolving challenges and mitigating risks.

• Monitor project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation, report portfolio performance to the Area Lead.

• Implement and enforce firm-wide project management standards, QA/QC processes, and safety protocols across all assigned projects.

• Support Area Lead in identifying and implementing process improvements.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing regional team, which may include Area and/or Discipline Leads.

• Support succession planning and talent acquisition in alignment with sector and firmwide goals.

• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Client Engagement & Business Development

• Manage client relationships within assigned portfolio; ensure high levels of client satisfaction and repeat business.

• Identify and pursue new project opportunities in alignment with area and firm goals.

• Lead or support proposal development and presentations for new work within the portfolio.

• Collaborate with Area Lead on strategic pursuits and major client initiatives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise and mentor Project Managers and Senior Project Managers; provide guidance on project delivery, client management, and professional growth.

• Support onboarding, training, and development of project staff within the portfolio.

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

• Provide input on performance reviews and succession planning for project management staff.

Operational Support

• Support the development of the regional budget and business plan in coordination with the Practice Lead.

• Monitor backlog, revenue, and operating margin performance across the region.

• Monitor regional performance metrics and implement corrective actions as needed to meet or exceed KPIs.

• Responsible for meeting or exceeding performance KPIs including, but not limited to, utilization and project profitability.

• Optimize resource allocation to ensure operational efficiency and project success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Construction or closely related field is required.
• PE license in California required
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the engineering industry, with demonstrated success managing complex projects and leading teams.
• Proven ability to expertly manage multiple projects and client accounts simultaneously.
• Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Demonstrated experience in business development and client relationship management.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $185,000 - $230,000 annualized, depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, end of year bonuses, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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