Practice Director

Your role

• Strategic Leadership and Business Growth: The Practice Director will develop and implement a comprehensive national strategy to sustain and grow the water treatment, wastewater treatment, reuse, biosolids, and resource recovery practices. Working closely with Business Unit leadership, Key Account Managers, technical specialists, and regional offices, the Practice Director will establish and execute regional growth initiatives and market strategies while identifying and advancing high-value consulting, engineering, and infrastructure opportunities across multiple markets, geographies, and technical disciplines. The role will lead strategic pursuits by defining strategies, technical approaches, teaming structures, scopes, schedules, fee strategies, and proposal content. In addition, the Practice Director will cultivate strong relationships with utilities, industrial clients, infrastructure owners, regulators, and industry stakeholders, translating client challenges and emerging needs into planning studies, assessments, pilot programs, engineering assignments, and implementation projects. The position will also support acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and market expansion initiatives that strengthen the firm's market presence and long-term growth objectives.
• Technical Leadership and Collaboration: Serving as a senior technical leader and advisor across the Water and Resource Recovery practice, the Practice Director will champion technical excellence through active participation in AtkinsRéalis technical communities, global technical networks, and thought leadership initiatives. The role will establish and maintain a Water Infrastructure Capability Network that connects technical specialists, project experience, office locations, and delivery resources across North America, as well as linking this globally. Through strong collaboration among regional offices and technical experts, the Practice Director will leverage specialized expertise to enhance project delivery and expand client service offerings. Responsibilities also include supporting the development and implementation of technical standards, best practices, innovation programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, while providing executive-level technical oversight on strategic projects and helping resolve complex technical, operational, and client challenges. The Practice Director will identify and advance opportunities for applied research, pilot programs, technology demonstrations, and innovation initiatives that strengthen organizational capabilities and create future business opportunities.
• Staff Leadership and Organizational Development: The Practice Director will evaluate current and future staffing requirements based on workload forecasts, strategic growth plans, and project demands, ensuring the organization has the resources needed to meet client and business objectives. The role will recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing technical and management professionals while conducting performance reviews and career development discussions with direct reports. The Practice Director will establish technical development pathways and succession planning programs to support long-term organizational sustainability and professional growth. In addition, the position will promote staff development through training, certifications, professional involvement, and leadership opportunities while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture centered on client service, innovation, and technical excellence. Working closely with leadership teams, the Practice Director will also strengthen regional capabilities through recruitment, staff mobility, mentoring, and the strategic deployment of technical specialists.
• Project Delivery and Quality Management: The Practice Director will ensure projects are appropriately staffed and resourced to achieve successful outcomes while maintaining oversight of project performance related to quality, schedule, budget, profitability, and client satisfaction. The role will support compliance with established quality management systems and project delivery standards, review project quality control plans, and participate in quality assurance reviews and audits as appropriate. By partnering with project managers and delivery teams, the Practice Director will help resolve project challenges and coordinate multidisciplinary resources to ensure efficient execution. The position will maintain executive oversight of major projects while empowering project managers and operational leaders to effectively manage day-to-day project delivery responsibilities.
• Marketing, Visibility, and Industry Leadership: The Practice Director will lead and support business development, pursuit, and marketing activities with both existing and prospective clients while enhancing AtkinsRéalis' visibility and reputation within the industry. This includes participating in conference presentations, publications, industry associations, technical committees, and other professional engagement activities that showcase technical expertise and thought leadership. The role will work closely with marketing and communications teams to develop technical content, project profiles, case studies, thought leadership materials, and market campaigns. The Practice Director will also represent AtkinsRéalis with clients, industry organizations, public officials, regulators, and professional associations, strengthening the firm's market position and industry influence.
• Financial and Commercial Management: The Practice Director will support business planning, forecasting, and financial performance management while partnering with project managers and sales leaders on pursuit planning, contract negotiations, and commercial risk management activities. The role will monitor business performance metrics including revenue growth, utilization, profitability, and backlog development, ensuring alignment with strategic and operational objectives. In addition, the Practice Director will support investment decisions related to strategic initiatives, research programs, recruitment, and capability development, while exercising financial stewardship through the approval of expenditures and capital requests in accordance with established authorization requirements.