Director of Water/Wastewater and Construction Management

DESCRIPTIONAt Michael Baker International, we’re searching for a Director of Water/Wastewater and Construction Management who sees possibility everywhere: in people, in partnerships, and in the potential to build something remarkable. With a strong foundation of success across the region, this is an exciting opportunity for a senior professional to take the next step in their career—driving strategic growth, mentoring a talented team, and delivering high-impact infrastructure solutions for our Southern California Practice. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who thrives on independence and is empowered to chart the course for growth and success. As part of the senior office leadership team, the Director will collaborate closely with other disciplines and play a key role in shaping the future of our Santa Ana office. This includes fostering cross-disciplinary partnerships, contributing to office-wide initiatives, and helping to grow the office’s presence and capabilities. Based in our Santa Ana office, the Director will oversee a diverse portfolio of water, wastewater, recycled water, and construction management projects across Southern California. This role blends office and technical leadership with client relationship management and project execution oversight. The Director will play a key part in expanding our presence across Southern California while collaborating with regional and national teams to support larger initiatives. We’re looking for a dynamic leader with a proven track record in growing strong teams, business development, and technical excellence – someone who thrives on working with people to develop their careers/developing strong client relationships and delivering high-quality work that exceeds clients’ expectations. RESPONSIBILITIES Empower and lead Water/Wastewater and Construction Management teams, exercising independent judgment and strategic authority to guide departmental growth and project outcomes. Mentor and support Department and Project Managers, fostering career development and excellence in multidisciplinary project delivery. Reporting directly to the Practice Executive, the Director will have direct oversight of Department Managers and the authority to implement strategic initiatives and growth plans across disciplines in Southern California. Serve as an active member of the Santa Ana Office Senior Leadership team through which priorities for culture, strategic investment, and staff development are discussed and determined. Coordinate effectively with internal teams in the office, region, and across the country to maintain position as a Michael Baker Center of Excellence for these services. Cultivate and sustain client and partner relationships to support sustainable growth and the business development initiatives you work with the department leaders to establish. Support capture planning efforts across the departments and lead proposal development or interview preparation for key pursuits. Implement and oversee a thorough quality assurance program to ensure accurate and timely deliverables. As a Principal, support Department and Project Managers as they lead multidisciplinary project teams through planning, design, and execution phases. Actively participate as a member of the Santa Ana Office Leadership Team at office events and meetings. Professionally represent Michael Baker International at professional organizations through active participation and during technical meetings with agency staff, clients, and contractors PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS . Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline. Professional Engineer ( registration in California required. 15+ years of experience in engineering and/or project management, with 5+ years supervising engineering personnel in Water/Wastewater and/or Construction Management. Proven experience in business development, team leadership, and successful project delivery for public clients. Strong client interface skills and a history of building lasting relationships. Active involvement in industry organizations is preferred. Self-motivated, versatile, and eager to work on a variety of impactful projects. Excellent technical writing and communication skills. COMPENSATION The approximate compensation range for this position is $186,000 to $249,000 per year. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.