Portfolio Leader- Water (Metro Atlanta)

The importance of water to the health of our world can’t be overstated!

As the frequency and intensity of floods, droughts and storms increases, the water industry must continue to build resiliency and lead from the front.

Together with our clients, we are thinking and doing things differently to help pre-empt and prepare for what's next. Be a part of this dynamic and committed team of diverse water specialists and inspire change for your community.

You’ll be able to apply our powerful global network of skills and decades of experience to build positive water outcomes that respect nature and nurture communities.

Who are we looking for? 

We’re seeking a Portfolio Leader who can elevate strategic growth and deepen GHD’s influence across a defined portfolio of priority water clients within the Atlanta market. This role leads the charge in building trusted, long-term partnerships by anticipating client needs and connecting them with the full breadth of GHD’s technical and advisory capabilities. With a focus on proactive engagement and exceptional delivery, this leader ensures clients experience sustained value and a seamless path to achieving their goals.

In response to steady growth within our Water/Wastewater business, our East Region Water group is looking to bring onboard a motivated Portfolio Leader to oversee the expansion of GHD’s Water business in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. The Portfolio Leader will own the growth and performance of GHD’s greater metro Atlanta water business, setting and executing portfolio strategy for key public-sector clients. This leader identifies and converts client needs, capital programs, and regulatory drivers into actionable growth strategies—aligning technical expertise, client relationships, and delivery teams to win work, expand trusted-advisor relationships, and build a scalable, high-performing water practice across the metro region

Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:

• Customer Relationship Management / Account Management: Develop and implement relationship management plans for complex existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Manage ongoing relationships with identified customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Data: Oversee the implementation and maintenance of the CRM system within the area of responsibility, identifying and communicating opportunities for system improvement that may enhance the management of customer relationships.

• Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting: Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex potential accounts to build key relationships at local and national levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.

• Customer Needs Clarification: Consult with a range of customer representatives at different levels to identify the outcomes they require, introducing relevant internal specialists and utilizing their expertise to gather and analyze complex customer data, clarify medium- to long-term customer needs, and develop and agree to a specification of customer requirements.

• Sales Opportunities Creation: Develop a personal network of senior managers within the business sector and represent the organization at business sector events. Obtain market intelligence, promote the organization, and enhance its reputation.

• Sell Customer Propositions: Lead a cross-functional internal team (e.g., technical, commercial, and legal) to configure a complex tailored or bespoke product-and-services solution and associated contractual terms that meet the customer's mid- to long-term needs at a national/key operating-unit level.

• Negotiate agreement with the customer and internally with commercial colleagues to ensure that customer requirements are met at an acceptable level of profitability and cash flow, or, alternately, review and authorize complex sales proposals from team members that deviate from standard terms, escalating issues to senior management where appropriate.

What you’ll bring to the team:

• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a related technical field

• 15+ years of related project experience in the water, wastewater process or conveyance infrastructure field along with strong experience working with municipal clients.

• Strong client focus with at least 5 years serving municipal clients in Metro-Atlanta preferred (i.e. DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Clayton and City of Atlanta).

• Progressive experience in client relationship development/management and business development with strong client relationships

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to conduct effective client presentations and written report preparation

• Ability to present technical information, both written and orally, in a concise and professional manner; must have strong technical writing skills

Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture!  Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility.  Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.

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Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD.

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.