Senior Strategist, Water Solution - Houston - Halff Associates

Description

Senior Strategist - Water Solution

The Senior Strategist for Halff's Water Solution partners with the Solution Leader to drive strategic growth, sharpen pursuit strategies, and strengthen client relationships across both Water Resources and Water/Wastewater practices, while serving as the critical bridge to marketing.

This role blends market intelligence, pursuit strategy, and solution-wide collaboration to position Halff as a leader in the water space. The Senior Strategist analyzes markets and clients to pinpoint growth opportunities, leads middle-game positioning for high-profile pursuits, and crafts strategies that differentiate Halff in competitive environments. As a key advisor to the Solutions Leader, they maintain accountability for executing the growth plan and improving alignment across practices and regions.

What you will do:

The Senior Strategist plays a pivotal role in collaborating with the Solution Leader and Practice Leaders in the development and execution of strategic plans and initiatives. The primary focus of this role is to drive, develop and guide innovative strategies, solutions and initiatives across Halff's service area. This role will promote seamless collaboration and communication with the Solution Marketing team and advise team members on Solution-specific needs. This position also involves conducting comprehensive market research, facilitating solution group market analyses, tracking solution strategy performance and metrics, and enhancing cross-collaboration across practices and departments. The Senior Strategist will oversee the Practice/Market Strategist(s) and work closely with technical staff to develop innovative solutions, participate in high-profile pursuit positioning, and coordinate strategic meetings and initiatives.

Direct Report:

Solution Leader

What you will need:

• Advanced client and market analysis to guide growth decisions
• Expertise in pursuit strategy and middle-game positioning
• Ability to develop innovative, client-focused marketing strategies
• Exceptional leadership and collaboration across technical, marketing, and operations teams
• Skilled at balancing big-picture planning with hands-on execution
• Resourceful, independently driven, and results-oriented
• Understanding of current trends, challenges, and dynamics in the water market is desired but not required

Growth Planning & Client Analysis

• Partner with the Solutions Leader to co-develop and maintain accountability for the Water Solution growth plan.
• Analyze market trends, client needs, and competitor positioning to identify where Halff should expand and strengthen relationships in these focus areas.
• Develop target client and market profiles for proactive pursuit planning.
• Identify opportunities for bundled services across Water Resources and Water/Wastewater.

Pursuit Strategy & Middle-Game Leadership

• Lead middle-game activities for strategic pursuits, including client engagement strategies, pre-positioning efforts, and development of win themes.
• Advise technical teams on differentiators and value propositions that align with client priorities.
• Coordinate across practices to present a unified, solution-wide approach in proposals and interviews.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications to produce tailored, compelling proposals for high-value opportunities.
• Collaborate with Communications, Marketing, Practice Leaders, Client Advisors, and technical staff to develop value propositions that enhance our competitive position.

Strategic Marketing & Innovation

• Work closely with Solution Marketing to align messaging and campaigns with growth priorities.
• Develop content strategies that highlight Halff's capabilities and thought leadership in water solutions.
• Support planning for key conferences, sponsorships, and events to reinforce Halff's market presence.
• Provide guidance to Solution Marketing team members on solution-specific needs and strategies.

Accountability & Collaboration

• Act as a strategic partner to the Solutions Leader to track progress on growth initiatives and adapt strategies as needed.
• Facilitate collaboration among technical staff, operations, and marketing to improve information flow and cross-selling efforts.
• Advise Solution Marketing Team members on solution-specific needs and strategies.

What success means?

• Stronger Growth Trajectory: Clear, actionable strategies that expand Halff's market presence and client relationships.
• High-Profile Wins: Successful positioning and pursuit of large, complex water projects that directly lead to increased Sales.
• Client-Centric Approach: Deeper understanding of client needs leading to tailored solutions and higher hit rates.
• Aligned Practices: Water Resources and Water/Wastewater teams delivering seamless, integrated services.
• Thought Leadership: Increased visibility of Halff as a trusted leader in Water Solutions.

Growth Plan:

• Strategic Initiatives Leader
• Market Sector Lead
• Marketing Director
• Chief Marketing Officer
• Chief Strategy Officer
• Deputy Practice Leader
• Deputy Solutions Leader

Company Overview:

Halff is a full-service infrastructure consulting firm planned, designed, engineered, constructed - and purposed - for people. Since 1950, we've been creating smart solutions that improve lives and communities by turning ideas into reality. Halff was founded on a core tenet: Focus on people, treat them well, and success will follow. It's no wonder, then, that our employees and the culture they create result in our firm consistently being named a Top Workplace in America. Our industry-leading professionals collaborate to meet tough challenges in creative ways. You can view Halff's full complement of services here. Halff has more than 30 offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, Arizona and Georgia. For a full list of our locations, click here. We offer excellent benefits, including but not limited to:

• Medical, dental, prescription and life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Paid time off (PTO) and 8 company paid holidays (and Veteran's Day for our veterans)
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 529 College Savings Plan
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
  
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Click here for a more comprehensive list of Halff's benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. Halff is a drug-free workplace. This offer of employment is contingent upon the receipt of a clear drug screen and background check prior to your first day of employment. This position may be subject to random drug testing pursuant to federal regulations.

Qualifications

• 10 years: Advanced client and market analysis to guide growth decisions (preferred)
• 10 years: Understanding of current trends, challenges, and dynamics in the water market (preferred)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.