Local recruitment: Water Department Leader

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
• Capabilities: Project Management
• Office Setup: Hybrid
• Job ID: #29750

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

As a Department Leader for the East Central geography, you’ll be responsible for direct reports of Group Leaders (GLs) and Managers of Projects (MOPs) depending on the needs of each geography (MOPs may also directly report to the Director of Operations), for the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware (DMVPD). 

In this role, your critical partnerships are the Functional support team, “Peer” Department Leaders (DLs) for East Central Water, the Water Market Growth Director (MGD), MOPs, GLs, CAMs, CSLs, and RMSLs. The Department Leader is expected to be based from a Jacobs office in DC, PA, MD or VA with a preference to the greater Washington DC or Philadelphia offices.   

Responsibilities: 

• Supervise and provide leadership to a market-aligned team of Group Leaders. 
• Manage and coach GLs on their leadership skills and capabilities; provide skill development and business acumen learning opportunities (near-term professional development).  
• Optimize utilization of pool of aligned resources and balance utilization across levels to ensure staffing profitability in accordance with the business forecast. Coordinate across the market, geography, region, and globally to optimize resource management/workload leveling and provide opportunities for staff growth.   
• Work in partnership with DO and other DLs to deliver the operational performance for the PU (achieve GM goals and manage G&A to budget). 
• Coach, develop and mentor staff to deliver superior results collectively and individually. Drive performance expectations and accountability related to meeting quality expectations on all delivered work.   
• Steward career development – basic skill development and sustainment, growth opportunities, and skill refinement – across pool of assigned staff. Manage staff performance and career development, utilizing the E3 process and succession planning.   
• Coordinate with GLs, PMs, and MOPs to optimize GID engagement across the market portfolio to achieve market targets as part of overall geographic goals.   
• Act as hiring manager where appropriate for new staff locally and with our Global Design Centers, working in concert with others around established hiring plans; including helping our business achieve  Work in partnership with Human Resource (HR) partner and Talent Acquisition (TA) on recruiting and hiring of talent, talent retention, driving Inclusion and Diversity, and exemplifying and leading Jacobs Culture of Caring.   
• Partner with Market Solutions Leaders, Market Growth Directors and CAMs to action growth strategy supporting staffing proposals, identify appropriate technologists for projects, deliver differentiated solutions to clients, and support staff growth, development, and career opportunities.   
• Promote operational discipline by cascading processes, procedures, and other key information to staff and monitor progress.   
• Collect, share, and escalate staff feedback, concerns, and headwinds with DO and other leadership to ensure timely resolution of issues.   
• Facilitate the development and execution of a staffing/succession plan (rolling 3-year period) with aligned GLs and in partnership with others.   
• Build team culture in concert with market strategy/action plan, and communicate with aligned staff routinely (i.e., regular team meetings and 1:1 meetings, etc.)   
• Approve time sheets, leave requests, and expense reports for aligned staff. Coordinate, monitor, and approve expenditures, such as specific assets, conference attendance, and committee expenses.

Demonstrated Skill Set:

• High level of emotional intelligence/team builder and inspirational leader
• Adept at interpersonal relationship building, conflict resolution, and leading diverse teams    
• Innovative and solutions-oriented thinker 
• Leadership and project delivery experience in the water market 
• Must be able to articulate a clear vision and direction and possess strong social, networking, and communication skills (both internal and external)   
• Strong portfolio/team performance and business acumen 
• Proven track record as a leader in the business 
• Demonstrated aptitude, ability, and capacity to build a team 
• Strong social, communication, planning, and organizational skills 
• Understanding of the holistic role between Director of Operations, Department Leads, Group Leaders, Managers of Projects, Client Account Managers, and Market Solutions to lead and grow a sustainable team to meet business objectives   
• Ability to lead with inclusion, inspiration, and innovation    

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant Engineering field
• 10+ years of water market experience as a consultant/owner
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
• Previous leadership position experience
• Reside in DC, MD, VA, PA, or DE (or willing to relocate)
• Must meet Jacobs hybrid office attendance requirements (3 days per week on average)

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• M.S. in relevant Engineering field
• 15+ years of water market experience
• Licensed PE in DC, MD, VA, PA, or DE
• Demonstrated track record of managing and growing teams/business

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, one floating holiday, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $167,500.00 to $205,100.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on September 02, 2025. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

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