Regional Lead - Water/Wastewater & Resilience chez BKF Engineers

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 be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

As the Southern California Regional Lead of Water/ Wastewater and Water Resilience, you will be responsible for leading and managing operations, client relationships, and team development across Southern California. This position plays a critical role in executing the firm’s strategic goals at the regional level. With a strong understanding of the region’s market dynamics, client needs, and regulatory landscape, the Regional Lead ensures excellence in project delivery, client service, talent development, and financial performance. This role fosters collaboration across teams and offices and serves as a key connector between local teams and sector leadership.

Responsibilities

Regional Strategy & Execution:

• Contributes to the development of the W/WW and Resilience strategic plan. Translate sector-level strategic plans into actionable regional initiatives.
• Identify and pursue growth opportunities within the region, including new clients, service lines, and geographic expansion.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing regional team.
• Support succession planning and talent acquisition in alignment with sector and firmwide goals.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Client Engagement & Market Growth:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for key regional clients.
• Represent the firm at local industry events, conferences, and public agency meetings.
• Collaborate with Business Development and Marketing to shape go-to-market strategies and major pursuit plans.
• Take a lead role in developing and securing new business opportunities. Play a key role in achieving overall Water Market sales and bookings goals.
• Develop and lead growth initiatives at the regional level in alignment with the overall strategic plan.

Project Oversight & Delivery:

• Provide oversight and guidance on project execution to ensure quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction.
• Support teams in navigating complex technical and regulatory challenges.
• Drive consistency in project delivery by leveraging best practices and standardized tools.
• Serve as Project Manager on multiple large projects or a portfolio of clients within a defined geography or practice area.

Operational & Financial Management:

• Support the development of the regional budget and business plan in coordination with leadership.
• Monitor backlog, revenue, and 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

• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in a combination of water and wastewater design and resilience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction or a closely related field is required.
• P.E. license in California is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in business development and client relationship management.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects.
• Strong understanding of regional market conditions, client needs, and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Effective analytical ability to create and drive business strategies.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven consulting environment.
• Willingness to travel as needed to support regional offices, project sites, or client engagements.
• Able to work cooperatively with leadership and other key stakeholders within BKF.

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 $167,000 - $253,000.00, 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.
• BKF pays 100% of the premiums for medical, dental, and vision coverage and 50% for your dependents.
• Generous vacation and sick time packages.
• 8 Paid Holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• 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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