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.

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.
• 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.

Leadership & Personal Competencies

• 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.

Languages & Mobility

• Willingness and availability to undertake short-term international assignments, typically of up to one week, with occasional longer assignments subject to prior mutual agreement.
• Excellent written and spoken English; basic command of French and/or Spanish and/or German would be considered an asset.

Digital Skills

• Affinity for AI-supported tools and digital technologies, with the willingness to leverage them to improve engineering, project delivery and business development processes.

What do we offer?

• Leadership & Career Perspective: Step into a key role as Deputy Head of Department, working alongside the Head of Department and sharing responsibility for the technical and people leadership of a multidisciplinary team of around 20 professionals, while actively shaping the department’s strategic, organisational and business development, with the perspective to take on broader leadership responsibilities in the future.
• Mobility: We contribute 50% towards the cost of the Deutschlandticket and offer on-site parking at our Mannheim headquarters.
• Flexibility: Full-time or part-time (80% or more), with the option of hybrid working and a family-friendly working environment and a hybrid working model combining at least three days per week in the office with up to two days working from home. 
• Onboarding & Professional Development:  Build on your existing leadership experience through structured onboarding and targeted professional development, drawing on a range of internal training opportunities as well as selected external training where appropriate.
• Modern Working Environment: Our centrally located office on Augustaanlage, on the sixth floor with panoramic views over Mannheim, offers a nearby staff canteen, complimentary coffee, tea and water, weekly back-care fitness sessions, and regular social events including our summer party and Christmas celebration.
• Relocation Support: If you are relocating to Mannheim, we will help you settle in - for example, by providing temporary accommodation in a furnished company apartment (subject 

At GFA GROUP, we embrace the strength that comes from diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where your unique skills and perspectives are celebrated. We look forward to hiring new colleagues who identify with this appreciation of diversity. We welcome applicants irrespective of their gender, nationality, ethnicity, social origin, religion and beliefs, disability and chronic disease, age and sexual identity. Your skills and motivation are our only decision factor! We would like to encourage you to apply and bring your talents, skills and personal life experiences to enrich and advance our joint endeavours.

Application

Marisa looks forward to your application via the "Apply now" button/form. Please include your salary expectations, earliest start date, a brief motivation letter and your CV.

Contact person

  Marisa Ludwig