Planning Project Manager

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Project Manager and Technical Lead for Utility Infrastructure Planning. This pivotal role involves overseeing water supply planning projects, managing budgets, schedules, and leading a team of engineers. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in civil engineering, particularly in water and wastewater planning, and possess exceptional communication and organizational skills. Join a dynamic team that values diversity and inclusion, and take on the challenge of improving essential utility infrastructure in Southern California. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in your community while advancing your career.

Qualifications

• 7 years of related experience in project management and engineering.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage project budgets and schedules while mentoring junior staff.
• Lead planning efforts and coordinate with project managers and stakeholders.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Client Relations

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering

Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering

Tools

CAD

GIS

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Hydraulic Modeling Software (InfoWater, WaterGEMS, etc.)

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

HDR is seeking qualified applicants for a Senior Project Manager and Technical Lead for Utility Infrastructure Planning work for projects in the Southern California Area. This position is in HDR’s Southern California Region, with flexibility in office location: Irvine, Los Angeles or San Diego. Desired areas of expertise include water and sewer system master planning, facility hydraulic modeling, infiltration and inflow analysis, flow monitoring, engineering research, GIS analyses, risk assessments, alternative analyses, and facility cost estimating. The position involves all aspects of project management for small to large-sized planning projects in support of water and wastewater system facility improvements.

In the role of Planning Project Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Serve as the project manager for water supply planning projects, maintaining task/project budgets and schedules, and mentoring junior-level staff.
• Work closely with client development leads, other project managers, other internal staff and client staff to define scopes of work, resources requirements, budgets, schedules and deliverables. Develop and maintain a backlog of planning project work.
• Prepare and periodically review/update project execution plans. Communicate progress effectively with team members and senior management.
• Provide effective leadership of the project team. Supervise project engineers/scientists and subcontractors in the successful delivery of technical projects.
• Manage financial aspects of project contracts to protect HDR’s interests and simultaneously maintain good relationships with the client. Ensure that all project work is completed on time and within budget, with a focus on meeting contract scope and terms and conditions. Monitor significant deviations/inconsistencies and project progress and take corrective action when required.
• Manage planning and preliminary design efforts for projects. Lead planning/pre-design efforts and coordinate with other project managers, client staff, and stakeholders, including written reports, meetings, and presentations.
• Communicate efforts with client counterparts and ensure an ongoing positive relationship.
• Represent HDR in project meetings. Participate in or lead proposal preparation, presentations, contract negotiations, amendments, change notices, and contract claims. Understand and possess ability to communicate technical concepts to other staff and the client.
• Develop relationships with HDR clients to identify and develop new planning project opportunities. Identify, develop, and lead pursuit of new planning work. Lead proposal and interview efforts to win new work.
• Participate in regional and national conferences to promote HDR clients and projects.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication and negotiating skills.
• Consistently adhere to and enforce internal HDR processes and policies such as business and contracting rules.
• Work in a manner to ensure personal safety and that of fellow employees by following HDR and client health and safety guidelines and policies.
• Perform additional assignments as requested by senior management.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering.
• Experience with water/wastewater planning projects preferred.
• This position may require out-of-office travel with occasional evening and overnight assignments.
• Proven ability to write technical information using appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling for concise reader-friendliness and clarity.
• Maintaining professional competency may require attending education classes and seminars, reading professional publications, and attending professional society meetings.
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering.
• 5 years of experience in project management, planning, engineering, and/or construction on capital improvement projects with a track record of successful delivery of projects on time and within budget.
• Excellent writing and communication skills are essential.
• Experience with CAD and GIS.
• PE licensure in the State of California or ability to obtain PE licensure within 6 months of hire. PE licensure in other states that the firm is actively practicing may also be considered.
• Candidates should be proficient using project control systems, problem solving, management and client relations.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills, including team leadership, presentations, proposals, and managing client interactions.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize assignments and build strong client relationships.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of hydraulic modeling (InfoWater, WaterGEMS, InfoSWMM, InfoWorks CS, SewerGEMS) for planning and design highly desired.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• This position may require out-of-office travel with occasional evening and overnight assignments.
• Must effectively communicate with all project team members.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 7 years related experience.
• A minimum of 2 years project management experience.
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

Other Locations

Industry

: Water

Schedule

Schedule

: Full-time

Employee Status

Employee Status

: Regular

Business Class: Utility Management Services

Job Posting

Job Posting

: Apr 12, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great things possible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We're always looking for great talent to join our global teams.