Project Manager - Water (California Region)

The Project Manager will lead the planning, execution, and successful delivery of water and wastewater construction projects throughout the California market. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of project performance, including safety, quality, schedule, cost control, contracts, subcontractor and supplier management, procurement, field operations, startup/commissioning, documentation, and client relationships.

Working closely with owners, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and internal project teams, the Project Manager will drive project execution from preconstruction and planning through construction, commissioning, and final turnover. Projects may include water and wastewater treatment facilities, water conveyance and distribution systems, pumping stations, and other critical water infrastructure.

The successful candidate will provide leadership and direction to project managers, superintendents, field personnel, and other project team members to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements and client expectations. This individual will also play a key role in managing project risks, resolving complex construction challenges, maintaining strong client partnerships, and identifying opportunities to support continued growth in the Southern California water and wastewater market.

What you will do         

• Adhere to safety programs, training and policies, as well as promote and manage the Safety & Health performance of project team members and subcontractors.

• Provide leadership and guidance in multiple facets of projects including safety, quality, engineering, procurement, construction, environmental compliance, project controls, and public/community relations.

• Develop new and manage existing client relationships while interfacing with the client for proposal and project related items.

• Lead internal and external project risk reviews and consult with the Legal Department as required.

• Expert in the review, negotiation, approval, and execution of prime contracts, subcontracts, and change orders.

• Implement the Project Execution Plan, including engineering, procurement, and construction execution, the quality assurance plan, safety & health plan, subcontracting plan, project staffing plan, organization chart, and procurement plan. Includes training of new project team members on the PEP.

• Analyze, approve, and implement multiple project specifications, drawing releases and design changes.

• Oversee the training of project teams, coordinate activities of multiple global practices/disciplines, and facilitate the efficient cost-effective utilization of staff while adhering to contractual and performance requirements.

• Mentor and assist in the development of the project delivery team throughout the lifecycle of the project.  Key engagement in mentorship is a critical part of the business and the development of the next leaders.

• Lead and oversee the project plan for site mobilization and demobilization and support Site Manager with implementation.

• Analyze and communicate project status, risks, schedule and costs to all internal and external stakeholders.

• Lead and oversee the downstream request for proposal (RFP) and bid process and prepare detailed scope of work documents for supplier and subcontractor contracts, including recruiting, prequalifying, evaluating, recommending, and selecting subcontractors, and suppliers. Train new project team members on these processes.

• Manage downstream contract administration including request for information (RFI’s), submittals, change management, contract closeout, and claims mitigation.

• Analyze and approve internal and external reports including project scheduling, budgeting, cash flow forecast, and project status reports. Present reports to internal and external executive management as required.

• Manage Prime Contract, subcontractor, and supplier invoicing process.

• Oversee client, supplier and company commissioning and startup teams.

• Manage and audit the project documentation and filing systems.

• Develop, plan and implement process for, and assess that project and subcontractor insurance, taxes/duties, licensures, and bonding are in place per the project requirements.

• Manage and assist in the securing of all applicable project permits.

• Perform project safety, quality, progress and financial audits and assessments as required.

• Lead and present at project and corporate meetings, and ensure generation of meeting minutes.

• Create and oversee project non-conformance reporting process.

• Develop, plan for and oversee project cost reporting, scheduling, work breakdown structure establishment, project set-up and closeout, and field progress tracking of project activities or program level activities as required. Includes training of new project team members as necessary.

• Support development of and oversee materials receiving and management process, including inventory control, receiving of goods, storage, and transportation.

• Work with superintendents and site manager to verify compliance of subcontractors and client contractors with contract documents, safety & health requirements, quality, and schedule.

• Manage and communicate financial aspects of projects to executive management, client, and others as required.

• Develop the plan for, and direct the project turnover documentation, warranty administration, project closeout, and recordkeeping/retention processes and procedure.

• Develop plan for and manage communication with governmental, industry, and public entities, and community relations on project-related matters.

• Understand and implement plan to satisfy project permit requirements and regulations.

• Lead and participate in project planning, scheduling, estimating, cost development, and establishing critical project objectives.

• Lead and coordinate directly with engineering to establish development and distribution of engineering deliverables per project schedule and requirements.

• Review daily construction field reports as necessary.

• Understand and facilitate program-based real estate and ROW acquisitions.

• Report all employee relations issues and consult with the appropriate Human Resources Representative to resolve issues in a compliant and consistent manner.

• Provide mentorship as well as formal and informal training of interns, construction coordinators, and assistant construction project managers, construction project managers, engineers, and support services.

• Provide performance feedback for each project team member to their respective Department Managers.

• Manage community and building trades relationships as necessary.

• Lead the development and implementation of project labor agreements with building trades as required.

• Bachelor's degree in construction, engineering, program management or related field and 13 years relevant project management experience in the construction industry is required.

• Applicable experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.

• Capable of executing projects and achieving company certification as an EPC Project Manager and/or Program Manager required.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, demanding work environment, ability to work overtime on short notice.

• Excellent computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office.

• Ability to work collaboratively with others (owners, contractors, engineers, designers) in a multi-disciplined project team environment to resolve design or drawing issues as appropriate and to accomplish objectives.

• Strong experience with document control, scheduling, cost control and project management software.