Coastal & Navigable Waterways Practice Leader

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

Primary Responsibilities

HDR is currently looking for a companywide Coastal & Navigable Waterways Practice Leader to complement our growing Waterfront Infrastructure Business Class and Maritime Market Sector. HDR is a premier Maritime professional services firm in the industry and known globally for delivering custom solutions to challenging projects. As today’s dynamic maritime market faces changes in trade routes and global increases in container and bulk cargo, our maritime professionals work with you to create opportunities from economic and industry challenges.

Our big picture understanding of port operations and multi-disciplinary expertise allow us to provide a full spectrum of maritime services to meet your planning, marine structure design, goods movement, infrastructure development, environmental and regulatory needs. It’s all done in concert with our tailored approach to coastal and navigable waterway services that precisely answer each client’s vision and goals.

We are seeking an experienced Coastal & Navigable Waterways Practice Leader to lead federal feasibility studies under Section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between local sponsors (ports, state agencies) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). You will manage staff and a program to deliver complex navigational, economic, and environmental studies to secure Congressional project authorization.

In the role of Coastal & Navigable Waterway Practice Leader, we’ll count on you to:

• Take responsibility for companywide development, coordination, training, monitoring and improvement of technical competencies of channel planning, design staff and products to meet client needs and market drivers.
• Work with other practice leaders in the market sector to develop transformative ideas that will enable clients to take advantage of emerging navigable channels and coastal trends (planning, design and construction means and methods, materials, vessel designs, etc.) and future-proof investments; and also allow HDR to maintain thought leadership position in the industry.
• Actively drive open communication with the Practice Group members regarding current/projected production needs; and collaborate with areas to influence staffing and expertise levels.
• Identify market opportunities in close coordination with Area Business Development Leaders and develop winning pursuit strategies. Also assist with local and national pursuits.
• Identify industry talent and work with Area and Corporate leadership to attract and retain staff.
• Oversee delivery of project services and deliverables to meet client expectations.
• Maintain standards for quality and consistency of service brand.
• Maintain qualification packages and staff skills matrix that can be readily utilized for project pursuits. Assist with the development of marketing materials including proposals.
• Lead workshare communications that result in technical excellence and enhanced utilizations.
• Advocate for professional development of staff and development of production tools: best practices, technical policies and procedures, papers and presentations, Professional Associates credentialing, recognition of technical achievement, practice group activities, and automation tools.
• Serve as a project manager for major maritime projects and leverage HDR’s global expertise to deliver quality work on time, while meeting or exceeding client expectations.
• Develop client relationships in close coordination with Area Business Development Leaders and local maritime planning staff.
• Represent HDR at state and national level professional organizations.
• Act as role model of our values and code of conduct, as well as professional/ethical/business standards expected by specific clients and required by licensing/credentialing entities
• Perform other duties as needed.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Coastal Engineering or related discipline required.
• Professional registration such as PE, PTOE, PTP, PMP preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or closely related discipline.
• 15+ years of relevant coastal engineering and/or planning experience in consulting or other related experience.
• The ability to bridge structural/civil/geotechnical design, federal regulations and environmental compliance requirements required to deliver navigable waterway projects..
• Deep knowledge of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permitting, United States Coast Guard (USCG) bridge and waterway rules, and environmental compliance.
• Highly proficient with coastal engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to project work-related issues.
• Record of delivering proposal and project deliverables with a diverse team of experts.
• Strong knowledge of relevant marine, port and coastal construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and be able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Travel will be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of 10 years design experience managing various civil/site design projects

Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.