Water & Wastewater Engineering Executive Search
WATER AND WASTEWATER EXECUTIVE SEARCH
Executive search for U.S. water and wastewater engineering firms
Alexander Executive Search runs water and wastewater executive search for engineering consultancies, design-build contractors and program managers across the United States, with a focus on the East Coast. We find and assess the leaders who win and deliver treatment, conveyance, stormwater and water resources work.
Utility programs depend on a small number of people who can earn the trust of utility staff, lead licensed teams and protect margins on long capital programs. However, those leaders are rarely looking. Our retained search reaches them directly, and RoleDNA™ Mapping shows how each candidate is likely to perform before you meet them. This work is also part of our wider civil engineering executive search practice.
Why water and wastewater leadership hires are difficult
Water work is shaped by utility relationships. Municipal and regional utilities choose partners they trust, so a leader’s standing with utility directors and engineering staff matters as much as technical depth.
Regulation adds another layer. Leaders need to understand drinking water and clean water permitting, consent decree programs and the funding routes utilities use, such as the State Revolving Funds and federal infrastructure programs.
Delivery models are also changing. More utilities now use progressive design-build and construction manager at-risk contracts, so leaders who can share risk with a contractor partner are in short supply. As a result, the strongest candidates are usually employed, well rewarded and only open to the right move.
ROLES WE PLACE
Water and wastewater leadership roles we search for
We recruit senior water roles paid $150K and above. Each search is also shaped around the utilities the leader will serve and the licensure the work needs. Overall, most searches fall into four groups.
See the full list of engineering leadership roles we recruit. If you need pay benchmarks, read our Engineering Leadership Salary Report 2027.
WHO WE WORK WITH
Typical employers we recruit for
Our water clients range from national consultancies to growing regional firms, so no two searches look the same. Generally, they fall into three groups.
OUR PROCESS
How our water and wastewater executive search works
Because it is retained, the search gives your appointment a dedicated team, clear milestones and a process built on evidence. Comparing firms? See our checklist for comparing engineering executive search firms.
RoleDNA™ Mapping: 8 levels of assessment
Every shortlisted candidate is assessed across the same 8 levels, so you can compare water and wastewater leaders fairly before the first interview:
- Job Location Mapping
- Executive Summary
- Professional Photo
- Candidate Introduction
- Key Competency Responses
- Behavioral Assessment
- Verified References
- Detailed Resume
The Candidate Introduction is a short video, so you can see how each leader communicates. The Behavioral Assessment also uses the McQuaig Word Survey, matched to the role profile from the McQuaig Job Survey.
Results are then scored against the success profile for your role and shared in a 24/7 online client dashboard. Learn more about RoleDNA™ Mapping.
PE license verification
Utility clients expect sealed designs from licensed engineers, and licenses are issued by individual state boards (source: NCEES). We confirm each candidate’s Professional Engineer license and its status with the issuing board before shortlisting. We also flag early when a role will need licensure in another state, which is common for leaders who serve utilities across a region.
RESULTS
The evidence behind our water and wastewater executive search
A free replacement guarantee and proven retention
Every placement comes with a 12-month free replacement guarantee as standard, extended to 2 years for senior roles. If the person leaves within the guarantee period, we find a replacement free of charge, subject to the agreed terms of engagement. How our guarantee works.
In one engagement, a growing U.S. engineering firm needed 10 appointments over two years. Before working with us, about 70% of its new hires stayed for 12 months. In contrast, all 10 leaders we appointed were still with the business after their first 12 months. Read the case study.
Firms of every size
We work with water and environmental firms of every size, from national firms to growing regional businesses. In a smaller firm, however, one senior hire can change the direction of the business. That is why we also run a dedicated executive search process for engineering firms under $120M, with the same research, assessment and guarantee.
LOCATIONS
Where we run water and wastewater executive search
We recruit water and wastewater leaders for firms across the United States. We run every search from our Miami headquarters, while our main focus is the East Coast.
You can also see our pages for New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, DC and Virginia and Florida. We also support firms in Ohio, Texas and California.
Related disciplines: transportation engineering, land development and structural engineering. Each one is also part of our civil engineering executive search practice.
Water and wastewater executive search: FAQs
What does water and wastewater executive search cover?
It is a retained search for senior leaders in water and wastewater treatment, conveyance, stormwater and water resources. Instead of advertising, we map the market, approach the strongest people directly and assess them against an agreed success profile.
Which roles does your water and wastewater executive search cover?
We recruit senior roles paid $150K and above, including water market leaders, treatment and conveyance practice leaders, program directors and regional leaders.
Do you verify PE licenses?
Yes, we confirm each candidate’s Professional Engineer license and its status with the issuing state board before shortlisting. We also flag when a license in another state will be needed.
Can you find leaders with strong utility relationships?
Yes, we review each candidate’s record with municipal and regional utilities. Then we test it through Key Competency Responses and Verified References.
What happens if a placement leaves?
If the person leaves within the guarantee period, we find a replacement free of charge, subject to the agreed terms of engagement. The guarantee runs for 12 months as standard and is extended to 2 years for senior roles.
Do you work with smaller water firms?
Yes, we work with water firms of every size, and growing firms can also use our dedicated process for engineering firms under $120M.
CONTACT US
Planning a water or wastewater executive hire?
Whether you are replacing a practice leader, winning a large utility program or building a design-build team, we can help you define the role, map the market and find people who will deliver and stay. Complete the form, and a partner will be in touch soon.