Channel Infrastructure Regulatory Marine Development Senior Project Manager

Port Houston; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

STIP (bonus) program

Flexible 9/80 schedule

Remote work bank days

Benefits from day one

12 paid holidays

Paid vacation & sick leave

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Port Houston seeks a Senior Project Manager to oversee medium to high‑complexity marine regulatory development and channel infrastructure programs in the Houston Ship Channel.

You will coordinate regulatory workflows, NEPA studies, and multi‑agency reviews while managing budgets, risks, and schedules, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. Strong leadership and presentation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences, Engineering, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 15+ years of Federal and State regulatory, environmental, and project management experience.
• Experience with USACE processes and environmental permitting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead medium to high complexity projects in marine regulatory development and channel infrastructure.
• Monitor and analyze environmental legislation impacting Port Houston; manage compliance costs.
• Develop scopes, schedules, budgets, and procurement needs in line with standards.
• Coordinate NEPA documents, multi‑agency reviews, and stakeholder engagements.
• Mentor coordinators and junior PMs; deliver clear presentations to leadership and agencies.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory compliance

NEPA processes

Regulatory coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies or related field

Tools

Contract management

Environmental documentation

Job description

Highlights include:

Annual Short-Term Incentive Program (STIP) – Opportunity to earn additional annual incentive compensation based on applicable program criteria.
Annual Performance-Based Salary Increases – Opportunity for annual salary growth based on individual performance.
Flexible 9/80 Work Schedule – Enjoy every other Friday off, with the flexibility to work remotely on scheduled working Fridays.
20 Remote Work Bank Days Annually – Additional flexibility to work remotely throughout the year.
Benefits Beginning Day One – Medical benefits are effective on your first day of employment.
12 Paid Company Holidays
Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
Retirement Benefits – Vesting after three years of eligible service.
Professional Development – Opportunities to support continued learning, career growth, and professional development.

Position Summary:

The Senior Project Manager supports Port Houston’s Marine Regulatory Development, Channel Infrastructure Operations, and Channel Real Property programs by leading medium to complex state and federal marine, channel navigation, and dredging projects that advance the safe, sustainable, and efficient development of marine infrastructure within the Houston Ship Channel.
This role manages cross functional coordination, regulatory workflows, NEPA related contract and environmental service management, technical analyses, environmental studies, and regulatory submittals, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local requirements. Senior PM manages project schedules, budgets, risks, compliance activities, and stakeholder engagement to support successful project delivery consistent with Port Houston’s strategic priorities and public sector accountability standards. The role also delivers clear, concise, and professional presentations to internal leadership, external agencies, industry partners, and community groups, supporting informed decision making and transparent communication across diverse stakeholder audiences.

Key Responsibilities/Duties:

• Lead planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of Marine Regulatory Development, Channel Infrastructure Operations, and Channel Real Property projects with medium to high complexity.
• Monitor, interpret, track, and analyze proposed environmental, energy, and related legislation, regulations, and policies at the federal, state, and local levels that could potentially adversely impact Port Houston or could significantly increase environmental compliance requirements and costs.
• Develop project scopes, requirements, schedules, budgets, milestones, and procurement needs in alignment with Port Houston and federal/state standards.
• Manage marine, channel navigation, and dredging NEPA related infrastructure projects, permitting activities, and multi‑agency coordination.
• Manage marine, channel navigation, and dredging NEPA consultant contracts, including scopes of work, cost estimates, task orders, deliverable reviews, and performance oversight.
• Coordinate preparation, technical review, and quality control of NEPA documents and supporting technical submittals (EA, EIS, CATEX, Section 404/10, Section 408, etc.) and other federal/state submittals.
• Lead stakeholder coordination across USACE, USCG, EPA, NOAA, TXDOT, TCEQ, TPWD, GLO, and other regulatory and maritime partners.
• Facilitate cross functional collaboration across Channel and Port Infrastructure Divisions including but not limited to Engineering, Maritime Operations, Safety, Environmental Affairs, Legal, Procurement, and other internal and external partners.
• Maintain regulatory compliance tracking systems, environmental document repositories, and contract administration records.
• Prepare presentations, briefings, dashboards, and reports for internal leadership, community stakeholders, and state and federal agencies.
• Support procurement for environmental, engineering, and technical service contracts, including RFP/RFQ development, evaluations, negotiations, and consultant management.
• Monitor budgets, track expenditures, and support grant or federal funding compliance.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks affecting environmental approvals, permitting timelines, and marine operations impacting channel navigation and dredging.
• Mentor project coordinators and junior PMs and support cross department alignment.
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
• Perform other duties, as required

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or closely related field in a public or accredited private academic institution required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of related Federal and State regulatory, environmental, and project management experience.
• Previous and comprehensive marine, channel navigation, and dredging NEPA processes, environmental documentation and permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Demonstrated experience working with USACE processes, coastal/environmental permitting, environmental documentation, channel navigation, or federally funded infrastructure programs preferred.
• Experience managing marine, channel navigation, and dredging contracts or task orders for environmental, engineering, or technical consulting services.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to tailor communications to technical, regulatory, and public audiences.
• Understanding port design, dredging, navigation channel operations, or maritime project delivery is a strong plus.
• Ability to analyze data, derive insights, and make informed decisions.
• Experience with pipeline relocation planning, coordination, and management preferred.
  

License/Certification:

• Texas Professional Engineer (PE) preferred
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or related project leadership credential preferred
• A current valid Texas driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days required
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) must be obtained within 30 days of appointment and be maintained for the duration of employment

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

• Knowledge of Environmental Science and Management.
• Knowledge of the Clean Water Act (Sections 404 and 401), Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (Sections 9, 10, and 14), Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and other related federal rules.
• Knowledge of Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Oil Pollution Act.
• Understands processes, procedures, and organization for key agencies including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, General Land Office, and other related federal and state agencies.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act.
• Ability to lead by example and inspire others.

Key Competencies Required:

• Aligning Performance for Success
• Building Partnerships
• Strategic Decision Making
• Technical Analysis
• Creativity and Innovation
• Leadership Presence
• Leading Through Vision and Values
• Politically Astute