Client Service & Senior Project Manager

Kennedy Jenks • Chesapeake, VA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Kennedy Jenks is seeking an experienced Client Service & Senior Project Manager to join our growing Virginia team. This role blends client relationship leadership, business development, and hands-on project management for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate brings strong regional client relationships, technical credibility, and the ability to lead teams while driving growth and high-quality project delivery. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape our water/wastewater practice in Virginia—expanding market presence, mentoring engineering staff, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture. Key Responsibilities: Serve as a client service leader and senior project manager, accountable for both client satisfaction and successful project delivery across water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Develop and execute client strategies, cultivate long-term relationships, and identify opportunities to expand services with existing and new clients. Lead and participate in business development efforts, including pursuit strategy, proposal development, client interviews, and collaboration with marketing and proposal teams. Manage and oversee small to large water and wastewater projects from planning and design through construction, including water distribution and transmission pipelines, sanitary sewer systems, treatment facilities, and pump stations. Provide project management leadership, including scope development, fee proposals, contract negotiation, budget and schedule management, quality control, and coordination with subconsultants. Serve as Project Manager or Deputy Project Manager with full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and quality. Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, connecting the right people to the right projects and ensuring efficient use of resources. Act as a trusted advisor to clients, maintaining a high level of responsiveness, communication, and service. Mentor, supervise, and develop junior and mid-level engineering staff, supporting technical growth, leadership development, and succession planning. Contribute to a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, helping create a supportive, engaging, and high-performing work environment. Collaborate across the firm to leverage technical expertise, best practices, and innovation in project delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or a related engineering field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 10–15+ years of water/wastewater engineering consulting experience, including project management and client-facing responsibilities.
• Demonstrated success in business development, client service, and relationship management within the water/wastewater sector.
• Strong technical understanding of water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to manage project financial performance, schedules, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including client presentations and proposal development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with CRM tools preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel locally for client meetings, project sites, and coordination with other Kennedy Jenks offices.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with CRM tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a client service leader and senior project manager, accountable for both client satisfaction and successful project delivery across water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Develop and execute client strategies, cultivate long-term relationships, and identify opportunities to expand services with existing and new clients.
• Lead and participate in business development efforts, including pursuit strategy, proposal development, client interviews, and collaboration with marketing and proposal teams.
• Manage and oversee small to large water and wastewater projects from planning and design through construction, including water distribution and transmission pipelines, sanitary sewer systems, treatment facilities, and pump stations.
• Provide project management leadership, including scope development, fee proposals, contract negotiation, budget and schedule management, quality control, and coordination with subconsultants.
• Serve as Project Manager or Deputy Project Manager with full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, connecting the right people to the right projects and ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, maintaining a high level of responsiveness, communication, and service.
• Mentor, supervise, and develop junior and mid-level engineering staff, supporting technical growth, leadership development, and succession planning.
• Contribute to a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion, helping create a supportive, engaging, and high-performing work environment.
• Collaborate across the firm to leverage technical expertise, best practices, and innovation in project delivery.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for performance and incentive compensation.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, professional registration support, competitive PTO and holidays, and additional programs to support employee growth and well-being.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level