Water Business Leader (San Francisco)

Arup’s purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years , guiding how we shape a better world.

We are seeking a strategic, client-focused Water Business Leader to shape and grow our Water business across the Western part of the US. The role would ideally be based in our San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, or Seattle offices . This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a team in a high-priority growth area for Arup, with strong backing from global and regional leadership.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience in one or more technical areas – such as watershed management, flood resilience, green infrastructure, wastewater systems, or pipeline and pump station design – and a proven track record of cultivating long-term client relationships, securing impactful work, and positioning a water practice for strategic growth.

The West Water Business Leader will focus on business development, client engagement, and market strategy. The role will also support our development and implementation of strategies across the region and globally.

The O pportunity

• Lead s trategic planning for the Water business in the West geography.
• Build and maintain client relationships with water utilities, public agencies, and municipal owners.
• Identify and pursu e high-impact opportunities aligned with Arup’s strategy and targeted service areas.
• Lead proposals and major pursuits, ensuring alignment with team capability and vision.
• Coordinat e with discipline leads, project managers, and other business leaders to shape winning, integrated delivery teams.
• Identify strategic hires and developing internal talent.
• Serv e as a visible presence in the regional water market through industry engagement and thought leadership.
• Lead, manage and develop teams and provide mentorship and coaching
• Involvement in project delivery and leadership, primarily in a strategic or oversight capacity .
• Winning new and securing repeat work

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

• 15+ years of post-graduate engineering experience in at least one water sector domain (e.g., wastewater treatment, urban drainage, watershed planning, water reuse, etc.).
• A relevant (e.g., Mechanical/Chemical/Civil/Environmental Engineering) technical degree (Master’s preferred but not required).
• Strong track record of client-facing business development in the water sector, particularly within the Bay Area and/or Los Angeles markets.
• Established market connections with clients and partner organizations. Ability to win work related to water supply, water resource management, wastewater and/or flood management.
• Sound understanding of commercial and financial issues related to the delivery of professional services.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across business lines and geographies with internal and external clients.
• Insights into market trends, funding programs, partnership opportunities, and emerging technologies. And, working knowledge of numerical analysis tools.
• Proven track record in business leadership in the water sector and ability to lead, motivate and manage teams.
• Ability to coordinate work within an integrated multidisciplinary team.
• Professional Engineering license, strongly preferred in California.

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal. If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to our Talent Community where you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm’s financial performance). Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future

Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available

San Francisco Hiring Range - The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in San Francisco is $185,000 to $240,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of San Francisco will differ.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at .

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

Stay safe online. Recruitment fraud is on the rise, and Arup’s name, logo, and branding have been used in fraudulent job advertisements. Arup will never ask for bank information as part of our recruitment process.

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