Program Director (Design and Construction)- Paducah, KY

Parsons; Richmond (KY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons in Kentucky seeks a highly qualified program leader to deliver a complex nuclear construction project for a commercial client in Paducah. You will lead detailed engineering, procurement, construction management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance across multi-disciplinary teams.

You will oversee project schedules, budgets, and performance metrics, manage risks, and report to stakeholders. The role requires 20+ years of experience in program management, PMP or equivalent, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant technical or managerial discipline.
• Twenty (20) years of professional experience in program/project management.
• PMP certification or an equivalent recognized program or project management credential.
• Demonstrated experience in large-scale, highly regulated nuclear or nuclear-adjacent projects.
• Proven track record in project management, especially in EPC delivery.
• Ability to meet Parsons’ project management certification requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, direct, and control all business, technical, fiscal, and administrative functions of a program, including development and management of schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Experience in configuration management and requirements management processes within government programs.
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to perform in a management capacity.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of industry practices, regulations, and current technology.
• Experience with NRC compliance and relevant licenses.
• Strong safety and quality assurance experience.
• Experience managing large, complex government programs or portfolios (e.g., $50M+).
• Experience managing programs under various contract types (CPFF, CPAF, T&M, FFP).
• Demonstrated experience owning program financials, including forecasting, EAC, and cost performance management.
• Proven ability to lead in a highly matrixed environment without direct authority.
• Robust procurement systems and supply chain experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and construction of a plant and balance of facility including an Observation Building, Support Building, Administration Building, Enrichment Center along with Electrical Substations, Warehouse and Storage buildings.
• Deliver comprehensive services encompassing detailed engineering, procurement, construction management, quality assurance, and full compliance with nuclear regulatory requirements and standards.
• Serve as Parsons’ primary point of contact for the client
• Oversee execution of all contract requirements and deliverables
• Own program financial performance, including forecasting, Estimate at Completion (EAC), burn rate, and alignment of funding to execution
• Coordinate across a matrixed organization without direct authority, aligning engineering, operations, finance, contracts, and subcontractors to deliver program outcomes
• Manage multiple workstreams, ensuring integration across technical, operational, and administrative functions
• Support recruitment, management, and oversight of personnel.
• Lead and manage project teams to ensure timely and successful completion of project milestones.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and contractual obligations.
• Develop and implement program management plans, schedules, and resource allocation strategies.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Provide regular status updates and reports to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate technical, financial, and schedule risks to maintain program performance and customer confidence.

Skills

Project management

Nuclear project delivery

EPC delivery

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & forecasting

Regulatory compliance

Matrixed leadership

Procurement & contracts

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in relevant technical or managerial discipline

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented highly qualified individual to lead the delivery of the complex nuclear construction project for a commercial client in Paducah, Kentucky. This project is a critical investment in the advancement of domestic uranium enrichment infrastructure and requires strict adherence to nuclear safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the design and construction of a plant and balance of facility including an Observation Building, Support Building, Administration Building, Enrichment Center along with Electrical Substations, Warehouse and Storage buildings.
• Deliver comprehensive services encompassing detailed engineering, procurement, construction management, quality assurance, and full compliance with nuclear regulatory requirements and standards.
• Serve as Parsons’ primary point of contact for the client
• Oversee execution of all contract requirements and deliverables
• Own program financial performance, including forecasting, Estimate at Completion (EAC), burn rate, and alignment of funding to execution
• Coordinate across a matrixed organization without direct authority, aligning engineering, operations, finance, contracts, and subcontractors to deliver program outcomes
• Manage multiple workstreams, ensuring integration across technical, operational, and administrative functions
• Support recruitment, management, and oversight of personnel.
• Lead and manage project teams to ensure timely and successful completion of project milestones.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and contractual obligations.
• Develop and implement program management plans, schedules, and resource allocation strategies.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and performance metrics.
• Provide regular status updates and reports to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate technical, financial, and schedule risks to maintain program performance and customer confidence.

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant technical or managerial discipline
• Twenty (20) years of professional experience in program/project management
• PMP certification or an equivalent recognized program or project management credential (e.g., PgMP, or DAWIA Level II/III in Program Management)
• Demonstrated experience in large-scale, highly regulated nuclear or nuclear-adjacent projects
• Proven track record in project management, especially in EPC delivery
• Ability to meet Parsons’ project management certification requirements
• Demonstrated ability to plan, direct, and control all business, technical, fiscal, and administrative functions of a program, including development and management of schedules, budgets, and performance metrics
• Experience in configuration management and requirements management processes within government programs
• Effective leadership skills with the ability to perform in a management capacity
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Thorough knowledge of industry practices, regulations, and current technology
• Experience with NRC compliance and relevant licenses
• Strong safety and quality assurance experience
• Experience managing large, complex government programs or portfolios (e.g., $50M+), including multiple task orders and stakeholders
• Experience managing programs under various contract types (CPFF, CPAF, T&M, FFP), including compliance and invoicing requirements
• Demonstrated experience owning program financials, including forecasting, EAC, and cost performance management
• Proven ability to lead in a highly matrixed environment without direct authority
• Robust procurement systems and supply chain experience

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Experience with the integration of engineering/technical, procurement, and subcontractor management activities
• Experience negotiating changes to scope of work with clients and subcontractors
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies
• Strong problem-solving and risk management abilities
• Experience supporting program growth, follow-on work, or customer expansion efforts is preferred
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Experience providing input on performance reviews and development plans for team members
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects or large-scale programs/portfolios (approaching or exceeding $100M)
• Experience serving as Key Personnel on large contracts
• Familiarity with enterprise PM and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, MS Project)

Security Clearance Requirement

None

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.

The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

About Us

Parsons is a digitally enabled solutions provider focused on the defense, security, and infrastructure markets. With nearly 75 years of experience, Parsons is uniquely qualified to deliver cyber/converged security, technology-based intellectual property, and other innovative services to federal, regional, and local government agencies, as well as to private industrial customers worldwide.

Parsons is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran/LGBTQ+.

For more about Parsons, visit parsons.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.