NE/IA Water Business Development Manager
HDR, Inc., Omaha, NE, United States
As part of the Water Business Group, you will help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. Your work will support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience, whether modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches.
Primary Responsibilities
This role will work closely with the Nebraska/Iowa Water Business Group Manager, Regional Business Development Leaders, and Regional Market Sector Leads. Responsibilities include identifying, developing, and directing clients’ business opportunities across our four market sectors—Drinking Water, Wastewater, Federal Water, and Water Resource Management in Nebraska and Iowa. Duties encompass maintaining and expanding existing client relationships, establishing new target client relationships, developing market networks, forecasting and positioning the firm for project pursuits, leading pursuit teams, preparing proposals and presentations, conducting quality reviews, coaching presentation teams, performing market analysis, and developing strategic plans. Excellent writing, presentation, and speaking skills are required.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Identify and qualify leads that outline a path to achieving annual area and market sector Net Fee Booked (NFB) goals
Achieve area and market sector NFB goals
Manage area business development and marketing budgets
Manage client relationship management and financial systems to inform reporting metrics and dashboards
Maintain a strong understanding of the market trends and drivers impacting our clients
Develop annual and long‑term strategic plans within established company direction and goals, including creating growth initiatives and prioritizing strategic investments
Implement key growth initiatives and investments as defined in annual and long‑term strategic plans
Serve as a Client Manager (for assigned accounts), maintaining strong client relationships and a deep understanding of the client’s organization, trends/drivers, and upcoming opportunities
Develop and implement client plans, including long‑term strategies to capture market share, as assigned; develop business relationships with teaming partners
Implement go
o‑go decision process in accordance with HDR’s Matrix of Authority
Lead pursuit teams in creating and implementing effective win strategies (capture planning)
Engage appropriate project management and technical talent in pursuit of teams
Participate in pursuit teams to develop persuasive proposals and interview materials
Participate in quality reviews of the proposal and interview materials
Coach interview teams to deliver key messages during interview presentations
Facilitate debriefs to identify improvement opportunities and to measure overall competitiveness
Recognize and celebrate the pursuit of successes and milestones
Direct content marketing campaigns to strengthen our brand, increase visibility, and showcase our thought leaders
Retain, develop, and supervise business development and marketing employees, as assigned
Identify candidates to fill management, technical, business development and marketing positions
Train and mentor employees on business development and marketing best practices
Solicit and act on formal and informal client feedback
Understand and apply HDR’s risk management approach when pursuing new business opportunities
Actively participate in professional associations to elevate HDR’s brand in target markets
Articulate HDR’s capabilities and competitive advantages
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering (preferred), professional, or related field
Maintain a professional or engineering registration or certificate or have related technical experience
15 years of experience with program development, pursuit management, and client relationship development in the water consulting industry
Proven business development success in the water consulting industry
Existing network of clients in the Nebraska and Iowa areas is beneficial
Experienced in the development and management of diverse teams
Willingness to travel including overnight trips
Commitment to HDR’s core values of quality work and continuous improvement
Commitment to being an active participant in HDR’s employee‑owned culture
Required Qualifications
A minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience
Demonstrated "self‑starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight
Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services
Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others
Demonstrated ability to build a network of clients and industry partners
Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies
Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in‑person
Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff
Location & Details
Primary Location: United States-Nebraska-Omaha
Industry: Water
Schedule: Full‑time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt
Job Posting Date: Feb 24, 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Primary Responsibilities
This role will work closely with the Nebraska/Iowa Water Business Group Manager, Regional Business Development Leaders, and Regional Market Sector Leads. Responsibilities include identifying, developing, and directing clients’ business opportunities across our four market sectors—Drinking Water, Wastewater, Federal Water, and Water Resource Management in Nebraska and Iowa. Duties encompass maintaining and expanding existing client relationships, establishing new target client relationships, developing market networks, forecasting and positioning the firm for project pursuits, leading pursuit teams, preparing proposals and presentations, conducting quality reviews, coaching presentation teams, performing market analysis, and developing strategic plans. Excellent writing, presentation, and speaking skills are required.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Identify and qualify leads that outline a path to achieving annual area and market sector Net Fee Booked (NFB) goals
Achieve area and market sector NFB goals
Manage area business development and marketing budgets
Manage client relationship management and financial systems to inform reporting metrics and dashboards
Maintain a strong understanding of the market trends and drivers impacting our clients
Develop annual and long‑term strategic plans within established company direction and goals, including creating growth initiatives and prioritizing strategic investments
Implement key growth initiatives and investments as defined in annual and long‑term strategic plans
Serve as a Client Manager (for assigned accounts), maintaining strong client relationships and a deep understanding of the client’s organization, trends/drivers, and upcoming opportunities
Develop and implement client plans, including long‑term strategies to capture market share, as assigned; develop business relationships with teaming partners
Implement go
o‑go decision process in accordance with HDR’s Matrix of Authority
Lead pursuit teams in creating and implementing effective win strategies (capture planning)
Engage appropriate project management and technical talent in pursuit of teams
Participate in pursuit teams to develop persuasive proposals and interview materials
Participate in quality reviews of the proposal and interview materials
Coach interview teams to deliver key messages during interview presentations
Facilitate debriefs to identify improvement opportunities and to measure overall competitiveness
Recognize and celebrate the pursuit of successes and milestones
Direct content marketing campaigns to strengthen our brand, increase visibility, and showcase our thought leaders
Retain, develop, and supervise business development and marketing employees, as assigned
Identify candidates to fill management, technical, business development and marketing positions
Train and mentor employees on business development and marketing best practices
Solicit and act on formal and informal client feedback
Understand and apply HDR’s risk management approach when pursuing new business opportunities
Actively participate in professional associations to elevate HDR’s brand in target markets
Articulate HDR’s capabilities and competitive advantages
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in an engineering (preferred), professional, or related field
Maintain a professional or engineering registration or certificate or have related technical experience
15 years of experience with program development, pursuit management, and client relationship development in the water consulting industry
Proven business development success in the water consulting industry
Existing network of clients in the Nebraska and Iowa areas is beneficial
Experienced in the development and management of diverse teams
Willingness to travel including overnight trips
Commitment to HDR’s core values of quality work and continuous improvement
Commitment to being an active participant in HDR’s employee‑owned culture
Required Qualifications
A minimum of 10 years relevant industry experience
Demonstrated "self‑starter" with a history of completing projects with limited oversight
Deep knowledge of the A/E/C industry's standard approach to procurement of professional services
Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire others
Demonstrated ability to build a network of clients and industry partners
Experience in sales and developing effective win strategies
Strong financial acumen and negotiation skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Ability and desire to travel and engage with others in‑person
Demonstrated experience in writing compelling content based on information from technical staff
Location & Details
Primary Location: United States-Nebraska-Omaha
Industry: Water
Schedule: Full‑time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt
Job Posting Date: Feb 24, 2026
#J-18808-Ljbffr