DMV Water Leader

Arup•Columbia, WA

About The Position

Joining Arup At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve. We are looking for a DMV Water Leader to join us in the Washington DC office to lead growth of our water business, with strong connectivity to the broader Arup offices in New York and New Jersey This role is intentionally positioned for a market-facing leader - someone who combines deep engineering credibility, client trust, and commercial judgment and emphasizes technical leadership, integrated problem solving, and development of long-term client partnerships. The position will be based in Washington, D.C. and will serve as a key leadership presence for priority clients across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The Opportunity People Leadership & Team Development: Create and action a plan to build and develop a high-performing water team based in the Arup D.C. office, aligned with priority clients and growth areas. Mentor emerging technical and water engineering professionals, contributing to succession planning and long-term capability development. Create a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and knowledge sharing and promotes diversity and inclusivity in the team. Client Relationships & Business Development: Serve as a trusted advisor to major public-sector and institutional water clients in the DMV region, including utilities, municipalities, federal agencies, regulators and private developers – such as DC Water, WSSC, etc. Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the water sector, contributing to the growth of Arup's water practice. Apply strong commercial and risk judgment to pursuits and delivery, including originating and refining professional fee strategy, contract positioning, and project pursuit go/no-go decision-making. Represent Arup at industry events, conferences, and workshops, enhancing the firm's profile and thought leadership with the ultimate objective of securing work from DMV clients. Technical & Project Leadership: Provide project management, senior technical oversight and expertise on projects involving stormwater management, green infrastructure, water infrastructure, water resources planning, flood risk management, and engineering design. Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and other specialists on a variety of water projects, from feasibility studies and design to construction supervision and commissioning. Champion innovative and sustainable water solutions, incorporating Arup's global expertise and cutting-edge technologies (e.g., digital twinning, AI, IoT). Lead or support complex projects from early planning and feasibility through design and delivery, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with Arup’s Total Design philosophy and meeting client expectations. Research & Development: Be and stay abreast of the latest research and developments in the water sector, including new technologies, regulations, and best practices. Contribute to the development of Arup's technical knowledge base through research, publications, and presentations. Sustainability & Resilience: Integrate sustainability and resilience principles into all water projects, considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts. Advocate for green infrastructure, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Requirements

At least 15 years of experience in water engineering, advisory, infrastructure, or climate/resilience-related work.
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline (having a Master’s degree in a water related specialism is preferred)
Hold a U.S. Professional Engineer (PE) license
Strong technical grounding in stormwater management, water resources planning, flood risk management, water infrastructure, advisory and sustainability.
Demonstrated experience working with utilities, municipalities, and public agencies in the DMV and secondarily have experience in winning and delivering professional service commissions in and for broader East Coast water markets.
Proven ability to secure and lead client relationships and pursuits, in addition to successful project delivery.
Understanding of market trends and the competitive landscape, with the ability to identify and pursue growth opportunities
Experience leading and coordinating multidisciplinary teams and delivering projects on time and within budget.
Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and developing teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment
Passion for innovative and sustainable water solutions, with knowledge of best practices in sustainability and resilience
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex technical and delivery challenges
Experience contributing to and winning competitive proposals is also advantageous

Responsibilities

People Leadership & Team Development: Create and action a plan to build and develop a high-performing water team based in the Arup D.C. office, aligned with priority clients and growth areas.
Mentor emerging technical and water engineering professionals, contributing to succession planning and long-term capability development.
Create a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and knowledge sharing and promotes diversity and inclusivity in the team.
Client Relationships & Business Development: Serve as a trusted advisor to major public-sector and institutional water clients in the DMV region, including utilities, municipalities, federal agencies, regulators and private developers – such as DC Water, WSSC, etc.
Identify and pursue new business opportunities within the water sector, contributing to the growth of Arup's water practice.
Apply strong commercial and risk judgment to pursuits and delivery, including originating and refining professional fee strategy, contract positioning, and project pursuit go/no-go decision-making.
Represent Arup at industry events, conferences, and workshops, enhancing the firm's profile and thought leadership with the ultimate objective of securing work from DMV clients.
Technical & Project Leadership: Provide project management, senior technical oversight and expertise on projects involving stormwater management, green infrastructure, water infrastructure, water resources planning, flood risk management, and engineering design.
Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and other specialists on a variety of water projects, from feasibility studies and design to construction supervision and commissioning.
Champion innovative and sustainable water solutions, incorporating Arup's global expertise and cutting-edge technologies (e.g., digital twinning, AI, IoT).
Lead or support complex projects from early planning and feasibility through design and delivery, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with Arup’s Total Design philosophy and meeting client expectations.
Research & Development: Be and stay abreast of the latest research and developments in the water sector, including new technologies, regulations, and best practices.
Contribute to the development of Arup's technical knowledge base through research, publications, and presentations.
Sustainability & Resilience: Integrate sustainability and resilience principles into all water projects, considering the environmental, social, and economic impacts.
Advocate for green infrastructure, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Benefits

As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy.
Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities.
Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low.
These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal.
Members of Arup share commercial success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm’s global financial performance and are paid bi-annually).
As a valued employee of Arup in the U.S., you are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future.
We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people.
Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available