Deputy Department Lead – Water Supply & Wastewater Treatment

Join GKW Consult as a Senior Civil/Water Engineer with leadership responsibility and shape the delivery and development of international water infrastructure projects.

Application

Company GKW Consult GmbH

Location Mannheim (Headquarters), with frequent international travel to project sites worldwide (typically of up to one week), Germany

Period of project: permanent contract Duration of assignment: full-time or part-time (80%) Country: Germany Workplace: Mannheim (Headquarters), with frequent international travel to project sites worldwide (typically of up to one week) Job code: 43916

Want to make an impact?

At GKW Consult , you can contribute to sustainable infrastructure projects around the world. With more than 70 years of experience, GKW Consult is one of the leading independent engineering consultancies in the field of environmental engineering. Headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, in water supply, wastewater collection and treatment, industrial water management, and sustainable infrastructure development, providing engineering and consulting services throughout the entire project cycle.

The Water Supply & Wastewater Department is a multidisciplinary team of around 20 professionals, including Project Managers, Project Engineers, Project Administrators and Recruiters. Working from headquarters and project locations worldwide, the team supports the entire project lifecycle, from business development and proposal preparation to the successful delivery of international water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

As a Deputy Department Lead and Senior Civil/Water Engineer , you will play a key technical and leadership role within the department, working closely with and reporting directly to the Head of Department. You will lead complex engineering assignments, contribute to business development and support the strategic and organisational development of the department. Drawing on your previous leadership experience, you will take an active role in team coordination, mentoring and decision-making, while helping us strengthen a collaborative environment in which people can perform at their best. As the department and your role develop, there may be opportunities to take on broader management responsibilities, potentially including leadership of the water supply or wastewater engineering team, depending on your technical expertise and professional focus.

Technical Leadership & Assurance : Lead and contribute to feasibility studies, detailed engineering design and tender documentation for international water supply and wastewater projects. Oversee technical specifications, cost estimates, Bills of Quantities and engineering reports, ensuring high-quality engineering deliverables.
Project Management : Provide technical oversight and quality assurance throughout project implementation, including technical backstopping and construction supervision. Anticipate project risks and help teams develop practical solutions to complex challenges.
People Leadership & Team Development : Support the Head of Department in the continued development of the department and take an active role in team coordination. Foster effective collaboration by bringing together different perspectives and professional interests, and mentor junior engineers.
Business Development & Growth : Contribute to Expressions of Interest (EOIs), proposals and client presentations, combining technical expertise with commercial awareness. Identify business opportunities and help strengthen GKW Consult’s network across the international water sector.
Client Relationships : Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with clients, partners and financing institutions.

Your profile

Education

Master's degree (or equivalent, e.g. Dipl.-Ing. (FH)) in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering or a related discipline.

Professional Experience

At least 10 – 15 years of professional experience in the planning, design, project management and technical leadership of international water supply and wastewater projects.
Proven experience in feasibility studies, detailed design, tender documentation and construction supervision.
Experience in international consulting projects, ideally financed by international donors such as KfW, the European Union, the World Bank, ADB or AfDB.
Experience in construction contracts, claims and dispute management.
Strong experience in proposal preparation and business development is a must.
Strong technical expertise combined with a client-focused and entrepreneurial mindset and a good understanding of commercial aspects and project budgets.
Proven leadership experience, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, bring together different personalities and perspectives, and contribute to effective team and organisational structures.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking, combined with a structured approach, creative problem-solving skills and a focus on effective project delivery.
Critical and inquisitive mindset, with sound engineering and project management judgement and the ability to navigate complex and unexpected challenges with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach.
Strong motivation to take on a key leadership role and contribute to the long-term strategic, organisational and business development of the department.

Your tasks

Technical Leadership & Assurance : Lead and contribute to feasibility studies, detailed engineering design and tender documentation for international water supply and wastewater projects. Oversee technical specifications, cost estimates, Bills of Quantities and engineering reports, ensuring high-quality engineering deliverables.
Project Management : Provide technical oversight and quality assurance throughout project implementation, including technical backstopping and construction supervision. Anticipate project risks and help teams develop practical solutions to complex challenges.
People Leadership & Team Development : Support the Head of Department in the continued development of the department and take an active role in team coordination. Foster effective collaboration by bringing together different perspectives and professional interests, and mentor junior engineers.
Business Development & Growth : Contribute to Expressions of Interest (EOIs), proposals and client presentations, combining technical expertise with commercial awareness. Identify business opportunities and help strengthen GKW Consult’s network across the international water sector.
Client Relationships : Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with clients, partners and financing institutions.

Your profile

Education

Master's degree (or equivalent, e.g. Dipl.-Ing. (FH)) in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering or a related discipline.

Professional Experience

At least 10 – 15 years of professional experience in the planning, design, project management and technical leadership of international water supply and wastewater projects.
Proven experience in feasibility studies, detailed design, tender documentation and construction supervision.

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