Client Service Leader

Client Service Leader (CSL) For Water Market In California

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

As a Client Service Leader (CSL) for our Water Market in California, you'll be at the forefront of strategic business relationships with municipal and regional water clients. You'll ensure Jacobs is their firm of choice, delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service that help build thriving, resilient communities. This position will be based out of any of the Jacobs Southern California offices.

You'll join a team of experts in our Water Market and will have the opportunity to grow professionally through participation on project teams delivering challenging projects while serving and developing clients. In this role, you will lead select water client accounts for our water market clients in the greater San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles area, as well as with select clients throughout the West Region. You will collaborate with and lead our delivery teams to lead strategy development to capture transformational work.

We'll rely on you to lead business development activities with key clients resulting in acquisition of new projects as well as perform the role of Project/Program Manager supporting various projects and programs within a defined client portfolio. You'll effectively lead and manage project teams throughout all phases of project planning, execution, and closeout; consistent with established project delivery processes to meet the scope, schedule, budget, and other specified requirements stated in each contract.

Using your expertise and experience, you'll play an integral role in leading and mentoring staff, forming long-term relationships with clients and pursuing new work, including strategy development, positioning, proposing, and negotiating contracts.

Responsibilities of the Client Service Leader include, but are not limited to:

• Working directly with Client Account Managers (CAMs) and work collaboratively to drive client service activities, outreach, and relationship development.
• Leading client service teams and collaborate with California Water Market Growth and Operations Directors to align strategies and deliver local projects.
• Identifying and pursue key opportunities, develop win strategies, and support proposal development
• Building mutually beneficial partnerships with consulting firms and contractors.
• Advocating for clients, ensuring their needs are met and recommending strategic actions for growth.
• Engaging with internal technical and social communities to expand your business development skills and connect with peers and mentors.
• Participating in local industry and community engagement to enhance our brand and build relationships.
• Taking on project/program manager role for select water market projects/programs, effectively managing scope, schedule and budget, and achieving high levels of client and team satisfaction.
• Serving as technical lead or reviewer on select water market project/program elements.

Here's what you'll need:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, planning, or related field.
• Licensed California Professional Engineer.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in capital improvements focused on the water market in California.
• Proven ability to develop growth strategies, build strong client relationships, and win new work.
• Experience leading teams and collaborating across disciplines, and proven ability to lead and motivate multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong communication, technical writing, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of local market trends and ability to create technical differentiation.

Ideally, you'll also have:

• Master's degree and higher education
• Proven ability to build strong, trust-based relationships with clients at all organizational levels.
• Skilled at opening doors and leading account teams with vision, strategy, and accountability.

• Effective leadership skills through influence, not just authority.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, one floating holiday, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $209,900.00 to $315,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on January 15, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

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