Director of Engineering and Planning

Director of Engineering & Planning
Woodbridge, VA * Engineering & Planning Division
Reports to the Deputy General Manager/COO * Exempt * Unclassified

Lead big. Build smart. Make an impact.
Prince William Water is looking for a forward-thinking, people-centered leader to guide our Engineering & Planning Division. If you love shaping strategy, inspiring teams, and delivering major water and wastewater infrastructure projects that make a real difference in the community, this is your opportunity.

In this role, you'll help define the future of our entire system. You'll be part of our senior leadership team, champion our mission and values, and foster a culture where employees feel included, supported, and empowered to do great work.

What you'll do (and love doing)
* Lead a talented division and set a clear, energizing vision that aligns with Prince William Water's strategic goals.
* Partner closely with the General Manager, Board Members, and teams across the organization to understand needs, remove roadblocks, and push big initiatives forward.
* Manage key parts of the project lifecycle of water and water reclamation infrastructure - planning, preliminary design, permitting, easements, modeling, community outreach, and everything in between.
* Oversee development review and inspections, ensuring our system is built to last and meets our high standards.
* Keep our Capital Improvement Program and Utility Standards Manual updated and forward-looking.
* Communicate confidently with the public, councils, boards, and internal teams - you'll be one of our most visible technical leaders.
* Lead procurement efforts, manage contracts, and support grants and loan applications.
* Improve processes, boost efficiency, and strengthen collaboration across the organization.
* Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements while promoting safety, quality, and accountability.
* Build and coach a high-performing team - hiring, developing, motivating, and planning for the future workforce.
* Be ready to navigate unexpected challenges, shifting priorities, and emergency situations with calm leadership.
* Represent Prince William Water proudly in the community and across professional groups.

Take the lead on our Asset Management Program
Asset management is at the heart of running a resilient, reliable utility - and you will be the senior leader guiding it. You'll partner with the Senior Asset Manager and others across the organization to align system modeling, asset condition analytics, replacement prioritization, and long-term capital planning. Our internal roles that support this work are structured to report up through and collaborate closely with you, ensuring that asset management, modeling, and CIP development move forward in a coordinated, strategic way. You'll help integrate Asset Management Analytics with major maintenance programs and the Capital Improvement Program, evolve our system-wide planning approach, and guide decisions that directly shape long-term system health.

What you bring
* Strong, confident leadership of planning, engineering, design, or construction programs - ideally within water/wastewater or related infrastructure.
* A leadership style that promotes ownership in people and builds high-trust, high-performance teams.
* Experience managing budgets, people, and complex multi-year projects.
* Clear, approachable communication skills - you can explain technical topics to anyone.
* Analytical and problem-solving ability to evaluate options, guide technical decisions, and move the organization forward.
* Comfort navigating regulations and compliance, along with an instinct for risk management and good governance.
* A mindset for continuous improvement.

Minimum Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in civil or environmental engineering, or related field supplemented by training in management and business practices.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience managing an organization or organizations responsible for the design and construction of large civil projects including collection systems, distribution systems, and treatment facilities.
• Or a combination of education and professional experience as described above.

• Licensed Virginia Professional Engineer (PE)
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license consistent with Prince William Water policy requirements.
• Must successfully pass a credit check.

• At least five years of management responsibility with direct supervision and management of others.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Physical demands: The work is mostly sedentary with periods of light physical activity. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for short periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; and operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak clearly and to see and hear clearly with or without correction. Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work; to attend evening meetings and work sessions.
• Work environment: Primary work is performed indoors in a standard office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.