Drinking Water 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?

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

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.

At HDR, we know work isn't only about who you work for it's also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other's contributions, and collaborate to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonuses and tuition reimbursement. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)

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 an experienced Project Manager to help lead Drinking Water projects in our Minnesota/Wisconsin region. Candidates for this position should desire a role in the water/wastewater engineering industry that includes working closely with both clients and internal staff to build successful teams. In this position, you will have the opportunity to work within an established Water Practice, support and manage drinking water projects for utilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the upper Midwest and lead new business development opportunities with drinking water clients. Project opportunities include technical studies, planning and design for water treatment facilities, pump stations, and distribution systems; operational studies, condition assessment and asset management, and utility management services.

As a Project Manager, you will provide project management and technical expertise for key projects; lead multi-disciplinary project teams; help to promote and advance HDR’s national and regional business development strategies, pursue new clients and project opportunities; develop, maintain and strengthen client relationships; and support staff development.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Direct and coordinate work of single or multidiscipline teams throughout the project’s lifecycle (from development and initiation to close-out)

• Responsible for all aspects of complex small to medium projects or routine large projects

• Produce and coordinate several small to medium projects concurrently

• Establish, maintain and strengthen client relations, and be involved with marketing, contractual, design and production meetings

• Participate in developing and advancing corporate and regional water initiatives to identify and capture market opportunities.

• Conduct work sessions for deliverable development in conjunction with other staff and stakeholders

• Coordinate staffing and workload through entire project life cycle, and ensure completion of deliverables on schedule

• Track financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust work effort with team to ensure that work is completed within parameters of agreed-to budget and schedule

• Participate in delivery of engineering services to meet client expectations, including technical and design leadership, and project management.

• Maintain quality in project delivery and implement QA/QC procedures.

• Work closely with the Accounting, Operational, and Business leadership for periodic project reviews.

• Collaborate with other Water Market Sectors and business groups within HDR to meet client needs and expand HDR’s services with existing clients.

• Participate in internal and external professional discipline groups, project teams, and activities to continually improve standards and best practices

• Collaborate with other Business Class and Marketing staff in the pursuit of new projects, taking a champion role in selected key pursuits.

• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering

• PMP Certification

• Preference given to local candidates

• A minimum of seven years in the design and/or operation of complex municipal drinking water systems.

• Strong technical background and experience in designing water supply, distribution and treatment facilities.

• Strong client relations skills, along with an interest in client and business development.

• Proven project leadership, project management (staffing, schedule, and budget), and mentorship skills

• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.

• A team player with the ability to function effectively in a variety of roles on integrated project teams

• Excellent organizational, project management, and communication skills (both written and verbal)

• Willingness to be actively engaged in professional and industry organizations including presentations for professional associations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 7 years related experience inclusive of a minimum 2 years experience in project management
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

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.

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.