Mid-Atlantic Water Leader — Remote
Talisman Advisory Partners is partnering with a globally renowned engineering and consulting firm to appoint a Water Leader for the Mid Atlantic. This is a market-facing leadership role for someone who combines deep engineering credibility, client trust, and commercial judgment to grow a water business across the Mid Atlantic / DMV, with strong connectivity to the firm's New York and New Jersey offices.
Primarily seeking a key leader who understand and prioritises clients across the District, Maryland, and Virginia. Leading technically, solving problems in an integrated way, and building long-term client partnerships.
The Opportunity
People leadership & team development
- Build and develop a high-performing water team in the D.C. office, aligned to priority clients and growth areas.
- Mentor emerging water engineering professionals and contribute to succession planning and long-term capability.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive environment that encourages innovation and knowledge sharing.
Client relationships & business development
- Act as trusted advisor to major public-sector and institutional water clients across the DMV — utilities, municipalities, federal agencies, regulators, and private developers (e.g., DC Water, WSSC).
- Identify and pursue new opportunities to grow the water practice.
- Apply strong commercial and risk judgment to pursuits and delivery, including fee strategy, contract positioning, and go/no-go decisions.
- Represent the firm at industry events and conferences to raise its profile and win work.
Technical & project leadership
- Provide senior technical oversight and project management across stormwater management, green infrastructure, water resources planning, flood risk management, and engineering design.
- Lead multidisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, and specialists from feasibility and design through construction supervision and commissioning.
- Champion innovative, sustainable solutions, drawing on the firm's global expertise and technologies such as digital twinning, AI, and IoT.
Research, sustainability & resilience
- Stay abreast of the latest technologies, regulations, and best practice, and contribute to the firm's knowledge base through research and publications.
- Embed sustainability and resilience across all projects, advocating for green infrastructure and climate adaptation and mitigation.
Is this role right for you?
- At least 15 years in water engineering, advisory, infrastructure, or climate/resilience work.
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline (Master's in a water specialism preferred).
- Current U.S. Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Strong technical grounding across stormwater management, water resources planning, flood risk management, water infrastructure, advisory, and sustainability.
- Demonstrated experience with utilities, municipalities, and public agencies in the Mid Atlantic, DMV or broader East Coast water market experience is an advantage.
- Proven ability to win and lead client relationships and pursuits, alongside successful project delivery.
What's on offer
Our client offers a competitive, equitable reward package with strong benefits supporting health and wellbeing, extensive learning and development, and a genuine share in the firm's collective success. This includes a global profit-share scheme (paid bi-annually, subject to global financial performance) and a 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match.
To apply
Talisman Advisory Partners is managing this appointment. To apply or learn more in confidence, please get in touch. If this role isn't quite right but you'd like to hear about future opportunities, join our Talent Community and we'll keep you posted on roles that fit.