Senior Principal, Client Services

This is a hybrid leadership role that combines deep technical expertise, client-facing strategy, and internal practice development. The selected candidate will provide project oversight, lead multidisciplinary teams, and serve as a key contributor to both client delivery and business development efforts. They will also collaborate closely with the Client Services Team (CST), Client Service Managers (CSMs), and other practice leaders to shape service offerings, pursue strategic growth opportunities, and deliver value across a range of utility-focused engagements.

The role is best suited for a high-performing professional with extensive experience in utility consulting and a proven ability to deliver value through both technical project execution and client relationship development. The position is flexible in location and can be based near any Brown and Caldwell office.

This position is uniquely structured to allocate approximately 25% of its focus to Utility Performance (UP) initially —with an emphasis on asset management, operations & maintenance (O&M) consulting, and technology integration—and the remaining 75% supporting cross-practice collaboration across water and wastewater capital planning, engineering, and enterprise consulting services. The Senior Consultant will support strategic initiatives and project delivery across other Water and Technical Practice Areas. In addition, the candidate will play a pivotal role in expanding and delivering Utility Performance (UP) services, specifically focused on asset management, operations and maintenance consulting, and enterprise technology integration.

Work Allocation

Key Responsibilities

Client Development and Relationship Management

• Identify and support early-cohort and strategic clients across the Eastern Business Unit (EBU).
• Partner with Area Leader (ALs), Client Services Managers (CSMs), and Account Growth Leaders (AGLs) to develop strategic plans, proposal content, and client service strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with Area Leaders and Client Service Teams (CSTs).

• Engage with strategic clients under existing programmatic contracts to introduce new services and solutions.
• Represent Brown and Caldwell at industry events and in client-facing roles as a subject matter expert.

Business Development and Sales

• Drive strategic positioning for UP and Tech Practice offerings, contributing to regional and national sales goals.
• Lead proposal development and forecasting for the EBU regions.
• Increase pipeline and market presence by targeting key municipal clients and market segments in need of performance and digital improvement.
• Serve as a key contributor to the seller-doer model, helping win and deliver work through personal relationships and technical leadership.

Project Leadership and Technical Delivery

• Serve as Project Manager or Technical Lead for key water/wastewater consulting engagements.
• Deliver technical solutions in:
  • Linear and vertical infrastructure projects (Design, OA, Construction Management)
  • Asset Management (including ISO 55000-aligned frameworks)
  • O&M optimization and maintenance strategies
  • Enterprise system support (CMMS, GIS, ERP, LIMS, AMI, CIS)
  • Business process improvement and data-driven decision support
• Align with the Technical Practices Leadership Team to ensure quality, scalability, and alignment across UP and enterprise digital solutions.
• Support cross-practice integration efforts, ensuring UP offerings are connected with broader water/Wastewater technical practices.

Cross-Practice Integration and Strategic Alignment

• Provide guidance on integrating technical and enterprise solutions across departments and geographies.

• Lead or support the development of internal tools, templates, scopes, and methodologies to ensure consistency and scalability.
• Provide input on training, staffing, and resource planning to develop technical team capacity.
• Help define and execute UP strategy for the Northeast and EBU, while aligning with national practice goals.

Team Development and Mentorship

• Mentor junior and mid-level team members across disciplines and offices.
• Participate in internal training, resourcing, and onboarding activities.
• Assist in identifying staffing gaps and preparing for future capacity needs, including potential for direct reports as the practice scales.
• Be a leader in the recruitment of staff to Brown and Caldwell

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, or a related field.
• Master’s degree (MBA, MS) or similar is preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in utility consulting, asset management, or project delivery within the water and wastewater sector.
• Strong background in both project management and client engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver projects on-time and on-budget while exceeding client expectations.
• Experience managing complex municipal or utility-focused programs within a consulting environment.
• Familiarity with programmatic contracts, seller-doer strategies, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing and implementing asset management programs, including:
  • Level of service definitions
  • Inventory and hierarchy creation
  • Data governance
  • Risk analysis (consequence and likelihood of failure)
  • Maintenance and CIP prioritization
  • Long-term performance metrics

Skills

• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and client engagement capabilities.
• Proven understanding of water utility infrastructure (linear and vertical assets).
• Excellent written and verbal communication; adept at visual and contextual explanation.
• High proficiency with:
  • MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Project)
  • Power BI and data analytics tools
  • CMMS and other enterprise asset management systems
• Ability to collaborate across time zones and departments.
• Effective leadership and problem-solving in matrixed team environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• PE, PMP, IAM, or equivalent certifications.
• ISO 55000 or other asset management framework expertise.
• Experience working with large municipal utilities, especially in the Midwest, East, and Southeast.
• Demonstrated success working across multiple geographic regions and functional business units.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Hybrid remote/office environment, with frequent virtual team collaboration.
• Must be comfortable collaborating across geographies and time zones.
• Up to 20% travel may be required for client meetings, field inspections, and conferences.
• Ability to conduct physical site visits, including:
  • Walking uneven surfaces
  • Climbing ladders (up to 24 feet)
  • Working in varied weather conditions
  • Wearing required PPE (hard hats, boots, safety glasses, etc.)

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary (range based on location, experience, and education)
• Performance-based bonuses and 401(k) match
• Comprehensive benefits package:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Short- and long-term disability
  • Life insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Tuition and professional development reimbursement
  • Pet insurance and long-term care coverage
  • Paid holidays, PTO, parental leave
• Learn more about our benefits at: com/careers/benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated starting pay range for this position is based on the employee’s primary work location and may be more or less depending upon skills, experience, and education. These ranges may be modified in the future.

Location A: $145,000 - $199,000

You can view which BC location applies to you here. If you have any questions, please speak with your Recruiter.

Benefits and Other Compensation: We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee health, performance, and success which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off and parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, performance-based bonus eligibility, employee referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance and long-term care insurance. Click here to see our full list of benefits.

About Brown and Caldwell

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell is a full-service environmental engineering and construction services firm with 50 offices and over 2,100 professionals across North America and the Pacific. For more than 75 years, we have created leading-edge environmental solutions for municipalities, private industry, and government agencies. We strive to be the company of choice—to our clients, who benefit from our passion for delivering exceptional quality, and to our employees, present and future, who share our commitment to client service, collaboration, and innovation. Join us, and you will find a home where you can do your best work, reach new levels of expertise, and enjoy exceptional development opportunities. For more information, visit www.brownandcaldwell.com

This position is subject to a pre-employment background check and a pre-employment drug test.

Notice to Third Party Agencies: Brown and Caldwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with Brown and Caldwell, Brown and Caldwell reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

Brown and Caldwell is proud to be an EEO/AAP Employer. Brown and Caldwell encourages protected veterans, individuals with disabilities, and applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Brown and Caldwell ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.