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Utility Planning Practice Leader - (RE1108)

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Position Description

Utility Planning Practice Leader

Reports to: Practices Director – Horizontal Infrastructure & Advisory Services
Location Options: Lone Tree, CO; Boise, ID; Maple Grove, MN; Billings, MT; Bozeman, MT; Great Falls, MT; Bismarck, ND; Fargo, ND; Grand Forks, ND; Rapid City, SD; Sioux Falls, SD; or Lehi, UT
Apply By: Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST

The AE2S Utility Planning Practice Leader will serve as the strategic technical leader responsible for defining the firm's approach to utility planning, shaping how we help clients make infrastructure decisions, differentiating the practice in the market, and anticipating evolving client needs. Practice Leaders at AE2S focus on the technologies, trends, and training for their respective practices.

In this role, you will champion technical excellence, guide the evolution of our service offerings, and drive innovation across our utility planning portfolio. You will develop and execute a forward-thinking practice strategy that strengthens technical quality, enhances market position, and ensures we pursue and win the right work.

As our Utility Planning Practice Leader, your primary focus will be advancing how we help clients make infrastructure decisions and how we deliver planning services at a national level. You will leverage market and trend intelligence to position the practice for sustained success, lead pursuit strategy with a focus on technical differentiation, and serve as a technical leader who inspires teams and clients alike.

You will lead the growth of the Utility Planning Practice by collaborating with Operations Managers across multiple geographies to develop technical talent and by partnering with Client Program Leaders to build trusted client relationships and expand planning services into new markets.

The AE2S Utility Planning Practice includes engineers, planners, GIS specialists, and technical professionals who help communities make informed infrastructure decisions. Our team continuously works to improve utility decision-making through services including:

Water distribution system modeling
Wastewater collection system modeling
Utility master planning
Capital improvement planning
Asset management
GIS strategy and implementation
Infrastructure risk assessment
Level-of-service evaluations
Growth and capacity planning
Utility system optimization

This role is ideal for a leader who is motivated to build, shape, and expand a high-impact practice with meaningful influence on firm strategy and market position.

Responsibilities

Leadership

Leads and inspires the Utility Planning team while actively supporting and advocating for Company mission, vision, and initiatives
Promotes the desired AE2S culture by leading through example
Mentors technical leaders and emerging talent across the practice
Balances project execution priorities with long-term practice development
Sets and drives high performance expectations aligned with strategic goals

Strategic Planning

Defines and executes the Utility Planning Practice strategy, including growth priorities, technology investments, and service innovation
Evaluates evolving planning methodologies, modeling technologies, and data-driven decision tools
Creates planning frameworks that help utilities prioritize investments, manage risk, and improve long-term system performance
Partners with Operations Managers, Client Program Leaders, and other Practice Leaders to align staffing, market focus, and geographic expansion strategies
Ensures practice strategies align with firm-wide strategic priorities

Technical Innovation & Resources

Leads initiatives that drive knowledge creation and dissemination
Evaluates the firm's competitive technical position relative to other firms and identifies opportunities to strengthen market differentiation
Defines and launches new service offerings aligned with client needs and industry trends
Advances AE2S capabilities in:
- Hydraulic modeling
- Asset management
- GIS
- Infrastructure prioritization
- Capital planning
Works with Operations Managers to identify technical resources needed to augment, mentor, and train staff on the pursuit and delivery of technical solutions
Represents the firm externally through presentations, publications, and professional engagement

Trends

Identifies and translates key technical, regulatory, demographic, and infrastructure trends for business development and operations teams
Evaluates emerging technologies and planning methodologies that improve infrastructure decision-making
Leads implementation strategies that translate trends into actionable services
Shapes practical strategies that help clients respond to growth, aging infrastructure, affordability challenges, and workforce constraints

Business Development

Leads technical strategy for major pursuits and key client opportunities
Actively participates in and leads strategic pursuits, including positioning, proposal development, and client engagement
Leads or contributes to market positioning and growth strategies across geographies
Oversees the Utility Planning opportunity pipeline and supports prioritization of key pursuits

Indicators of Success

Successful implementation of the Practice's strategic initiatives
Expanded technical thought leadership and external market visibility
Ongoing improvement and growth of the Practice's Employee-Owners
Achievement of practice growth targets, including sales and revenue goals
Measurable growth of Utility Planning services into new geographies and for new clients
Strong pipeline of strategic planning pursuits and key client relationships
Advancement of AE2S's reputation as a leader in utility planning, asset management, hydraulic modeling, and infrastructure decision support

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or directly related field
Professional Engineer licensure or an equivalent certification such as Certified Asset Management Professional (AMP), GIS Professional (GISP), or the ability to obtain applicable credentials within six months8 or more years of experience supporting utility infrastructure planning, system analysis, asset management, hydraulic modeling, or related consulting services
Experience leading teams, initiatives, or practice areas
Proven track record of developing and winning work with municipal or utility clients
Expertise in one or more of the following:
- Hydraulic modeling
- Utility master planning
- Asset management
- GIS applications
- Infrastructure prioritization
- Utility system analysis
Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, the public, and other employees
Ability to translate technical information into actionable recommendations for utility leaders and decision makers
Ability to facilitate planning discussions, build consensus, and guide client decision-making processes
Proven ability to manage clients, win new clients, and retain clients
Ability to travel periodically to support conferences, project pursuits, client meetings, and other business development activities

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading complex internal initiatives and external projects
Ability to manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneously
Reputation for integrity, sound judgment, and leadership within the organization and industry
Ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and geographies
Demonstrated leadership and decision-making capability
Experience developing utility master plans
Experience with hydraulic modeling software (WaterGEMS, InfoWater Pro, InfoWorks, AquaTwin)
Experience with utility asset management programs
Experience with GIS strategy and implementation
Experience supporting capital improvement planning and infrastructure prioritization
Experience presenting planning recommendations to utility boards, councils, or executive leadership teams

Physical Requirements

Ability to walk up to 3 miles on uneven terrain
Ability to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
Occasionally climb, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist
Occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull light to moderate amounts of weight
May require lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds, with rare lifting of up to 50 pounds
Ability to inspect equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects
May be required to wear Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) including but not limited to, flame resistant clothing, hard hat, and protective footwear
May require occasional evenings and weekends with overtime expectations varying with workload
May be required to travel to off-site locations including occasional overnight stays out of town

Why AE2S

AE2S is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm focused on solving complex water challenges. You will have the opportunity to lead on a national scale while making a meaningful impact on communities across the country.

AE2S offers more than just competitive compensation. We offer a best-in-class insurance package to our employees and families; our benefit plan is one of the richest plans currently in the marketplace today!

100-percent paid Family Health Insurance
100-percent paid Employee Dental, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and Vision Insurance
Discretionary Bonus Plan
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Matching 401(k) Contributions
Paid Time Off (PTO) Credits for Past Experience
Paid Parental Leave
Wellness Program
Anticipated Starting Salary: $120,000 - $185,000+ per year DOE (Compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skillset, etc.) Position will remain posted until filled

AE2S is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Disability Employer

Location

Billings, MT - Billings, MT 59101 US (Primary)
Bismarck, ND - Bismarck, ND 58501 US
Boise, ID - Boise, ID US
Bozeman, MT - Bozeman, MT 59715 US
Fargo, ND - Fargo, ND 58104 US
Grand Forks, ND - Grand Forks, ND 58201 US
Lehi, UT - Lehi, UT 84043 US
Lone Tree, CO - Lone Tree, CO 80124 US
Maple Grove, MN - Maple Grove, MN 55369 US
Rapid City, SD - Rapid City, SD 57703 US
Sioux Falls, SD - Sioux Falls, SD 57108 US

Education

Bachelor Degree

Position Type

Full-time

Job Details