Client Service Director - Water​/Wastewater

Irvine, CA, USA

Posted Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Founded in 1919, KJ has always looked to the future. With a talented team of professionals and a culture of continuous improvement, we deliver exceptional engineering, environmental consulting, and construction management services, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects from planning through construction.

KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, award-winning water reuse projects, and efficient construction management practices that ensure quality, safety, and on-time delivery. We are known for our dedication to industry-leading client service and tailored solutions.

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a dynamic Client Service Director in Irvine t o grow and strengthen our public and private sector water and wastewater practice across our national footprint.

This senior leader ship role is central to Kennedy Jenks’ growth strategy, combining client relationship leadership, market development, team building, strategic planning, and delivery oversight for meaningful water, wastewater, stormwater, environmental, pipeline, and industrial consulting work.

You’ll step into a well-established, high-performing practice with strong client relationships, an active project portfolio, and a national platform. Working alongside established leaders and project teams, you'll help build on that momentum by identifying opportunities, deepening client partnerships, developing high-performing teams, and delivering practical infrastructure solutions that support communities, utilities, and industrial clients.

What You’ll Do

As a Client Service Director , you'll operate at the intersection of client leadership, business development, strategic growth, and project delivery.

• Develop opportunities:
  Engage the marketplace to identify new clients, projects, partnerships, and service opportunities aligned with KJ’s water and wastewater growth strategy.
• Advance client relationships:
  Use established municipal, industry, and teaming relationships to expand service offerings and strengthen long-term client partnerships.
• Lead strategic pursuits:
  Guide positioning , teaming, proposal strategy, interview preparation, and pursuit planning for priority opportunities across your territory.
• Build high-performing teams:
  Collaborate with internal leaders on strategic hiring, staff development, team structure, and inclusive leadership that supports project and client success.
• Oversee project development:
  Support scope, schedule, fee development, negotiation, staffing, and coordination from planning through design and construction.
• Contribute to delivery:
  Serve as a project manager, project engineer, or project team member where your leadership and technical judgment add value.

What Makes This Role Different

• Direct growth impact:
  Your relationships, judgment, and market insight will help shape where KJ grows and how we bring value to clients.
• National platform, local relevance:
  You can connect local client needs with KJ’s broader technical depth, project resume, and collaborative resources across the firm.
• Visible leadership role:
  You’ll influence strategy, pursuits, team development, and client outcomes while contributing to work that supports resilient infrastructure and trusted public and private sector partnerships.

What You Bring

• Client-centered leadership: A reputation for building trust, listening well, and aligning solutions with client priorities.
• Business development…