Design Build - Senior Project Operations Manager

HNTB Corporation; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 165,000 - 276,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards package

Employee-owned firm

Job summary

HNTB Corporation is seeking a senior professional to lead contract and change management, project controls, and risk oversight on medium to large infrastructure programs. You will drive change orders, budgeting, and KPI reporting to ensure on-budget delivery and profitable operations.

Responsibilities include risk and insurance management, contract compliance, and collaboration with multiple internal and external teams to guide project success across major locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business with 8–10 years of related experience.
• Experience in contract management or project management on large infrastructure projects.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage budgets and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Develop Change Management Plan and manage contract change orders with stakeholders.
• Oversee Workplan Management, ensure schedules reflect critical path and staffing plan.
• Direct Project Controls, Earned Value and KPI analysis and reporting.

Skills

Change management

Project controls

Risk management

Contract management

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business

Master's degree in Engineering or Business

Tools

AX budgeting (ERP)

Earned Value Management (EVM)

Job description

What We're Looking For At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners. This opportunity entails being responsible for the project’s contract and change management, workplan, project controls and profitable operations of charge order work on medium size Mega projects. Responsibilities include the implementation of the Design-Build Contract Change Management Policy on the project, encompassing contractual changes and dispute resolution processes. This position is also responsible for risk management and insurance management on the project. Responsible for gross revenue greater than $25M and less than $50M.

What You'll Do:

• Change Management: Responsible for the development of the Change Management Plan and the development, monitoring and execution of all contract change orders. Interacts frequently with project team members and schedules frequent formal change order meetings with the Project Manager, Design Manager and Discipline Design Managers. Directs and facilitates the preparation of the scope, pricing and the proposal package of contract change orders and transmits to clients upon approval by the Project Manager. Leads the preparation of and also facilitates the negotiation and effective resolution of change orders with the client in conjunction with the Project Manager.
• Workplan Management: Ensures the project schedule depicts a critical path and is updated throughout the project lifecycle with input from the Discipline Design Managers. Develops and maintains the project deliverables matrix and staffing plan. Ensures budgets are established properly in AX and oversees and approves all budget adjustments before changes are made.
• Project Controls Management: Directs the actions of the project controls group including Project Analysts, Schedulers and document control personnel. Ensures timely and accurate entry of Earned Value, Estimates to Complete and Estimates at Completion. Analyzes EVM reports and KPI metrics to determine project health and discusses frequently with Project Manager, Design Manager and Discipline Design Managers. Provides forecast data to OBM and DB Business. Ensures earnings are in alignment with corporate revenue recognition policy and communicating variances to project and division leadership.
• Risk Management: Develops and maintains the Project Risk Management Plan and Risk Register. Facilitates a weekly risk meeting with the Project Manager and Design Manager to assess the project’s current risk and review and update the project risk register.
• Insurance Management: Ensures project meets contract insurance compliance according to requirements outlined in owner requirements and internal company policy. Ensures the proper documentation and tracking of project insurance documents.
• Contract Management: Manages all commercial aspects of the project. Ensures IOA’s are executed and updated. Ensures subconsultant contracts are executed. Ensures monthly submittal of invoices and timely payment of outstanding invoices. Ensures contract compliance pertaining to progress reporting. Performs other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business and 8 years of engineering design background with contract management or project management on large project,
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business and 10 years of project controls background with contract management or project management on large projects

Understand the technical aspects of the project and be able to independently evaluate owner or contractor guidance for deviations from the contracted scope. Must control ALL aspects of the essential project controls functions and be able to delegate and add/remove resources as necessary. Must have good organization and communication skills to establish the foundation for managing change and associated budget. Must be a good collaborator and leader who can work with multiple internal and external groups and personalities.

What We Prefer:

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Business
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Additional Information

Benefits: HNTB Total Rewards

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Locations:

• Chicago, IL
• Dallas, TX
• Denver, CO
• Indianapolis, IN
• Kansas City, MO
• Los Angeles, CA (Figueroa Street)
• Los Angeles, CA (LA International Airport)
• New York, NY
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Seattle, WA (Downtown)

The approximate pay range for Los Angeles Metro Area and Orange County, CA is $173,075.17 - $276,470.74. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The approximate pay range for Washington is $180,600.19 - $288,491.20. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position based on all selected locations within the state at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The approximate pay range for Colorado is $165,550.16 - $264,450.28. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position based on all selected locations within the state at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The anticipated last day to apply is 11/29/2026. Please note that the job may be unposted prior to this date if the job is filled or no longer a need.

NOTICE TO THIRD-PARTY AGENCIES: HNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant’s resume will become the property of HNTB. HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees. At HNTB, we are harnessing the power of collaboration and innovation to establish a new vision for the future of mobility across our country. You don't have to look far to see our impact. For more than a century, HNTB’s spark has connected people and places, expanded opportunity, and left a lasting impact on our communities. Our culture of integrity and inclusion, combined with groundbreaking solutions, has affirmed our reputation and positioned our firm as the industry leader in delivering extraordinary value.

When you join HNTB, you are joining an employee‑owned firm founded on the values of integrity, collaboration, personal accountability, respect for others, and the development of all employees. We are committed to the continual improvement of an inclusive workplace. We encourage our employees to bring their whole and authentic selves to work, provide them a meaningful welcoming environment where they are valued, celebrated and respected. Diversity of thought and unique perspectives drives innovation, engagement and retention, which makes HNTB better and brings value to our clients and our communities.

Equal Opportunity Employer HNTB is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other status protected by law. We will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability where appropriate.

Work Authorization In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, we will only employ qualified individuals legally authorized to work in the United States (if the position is or will be one which is subject to U.S. law). Verification of employment eligibility will be required. HNTB participates in E-Verify Know your rights: Right to Work