Program Manager - Water (Multiple Locations)

Burns & McDonnell; Brea (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance & disability

Wellness programs

ESOP

401(k)

Time off

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead large, complex water infrastructure programs. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams through all project phases, act as a trusted advisor to utility clients, and report to executive stakeholders.

The role emphasizes strategic initiatives, budget controls, and cross‑selling engineering services. The position requires a Bachelor's in engineering or related field and 10+ years in consulting with large programs.

Qualifications

• 10 years of related consulting experience.
• Experience leading a multi-discipline team on major projects or programs > $250 million.
• Strong experience in client and business development.
• Expertise in budgeting, scheduling, controls, and project delivery.
• Excellent planning, analytical and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel 50%+ and relocate as needed.
• Familiarity with PM methodologies and tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of strategic program initiatives.
• Direct and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for project delivery.
• Maintain client relationships with senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Drive data collection, analytics, and reporting for budgets and risks.
• Manage program budget and expenditures; present monthly financials.
• Support cross-selling of engineering services across the organization.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain staff; conduct performance evaluations.
• Ensure QA/QC and safety policy compliance.

Skills

Program leadership

Client relationship

Budget management

Scheduling & planning

Team management

Proposal development

Contract negotiations

Communication

MS Project

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Job description

Description

Our Global Program Management Organization is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the successful delivery of large, complex water infrastructure and capital improvement programs. This leadership role is ideal for a proven professional with extensive experience managing municipal water and wastewater treatment facilities, transmission and distribution pipelines, pump stations, conveyance systems, PFAS and emerging contaminant treatment, water reuse and reclamation facilities, stormwater infrastructure, and other critical water infrastructure. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to public and private utility clients, and executive stakeholders while leading multidisciplinary teams through every phase of project and program delivery.

What You Will Do

• Lead the development and execution of overall Program strategic business initiatives to achieve goals and objectives.
• Provide leadership to the Program team; direct and coordinate the work of a multi‑disciplined team, and ensure the efficient and cost‑effective utilization of staff.
• Be client facing and work with senior client leadership on reporting, issue resolution, and relationship building.
• Drive systems integration and implement data collection, management, analytics, and reporting tools to support strategic decisions regarding program budgets and schedule risks.
• Manage the Program budget and expenditure of funds.
• Achieve stated targets and standards for the Program financial performance.
• Present monthly financial information to leadership, including project revenue forecasts.
• Support strategies for cross‑selling engineering services across the organization.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations for department staff.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and instruction to the department.
• Interpret the organization’s policies, purposes, and goals to staff.
• Ensure overall QA/QC process adherence.
• Enforce compliance with company and site safety policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, construction management, business or related field from an accredited program, and 10 years of related consulting experience, preferably in the engineering or construction industry.
• Experience leading a multi‑discipline team that has executed and managed major projects or programs greater than $250 million (preferred).
• Strong experience in client and business development.
• Expertise in managing projects, including proposal development, contract negotiations, project planning, controls, system integration, owner’s engineering, real estate acquisition, permitting, environmental compliance, construction management, design team coordination & communication, budgeting, schedule management, and client coordination.
• Expert facilitation, collaboration, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated success in achieving budget, savings, and/or profit margins in completed projects.
• Ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead and manage.
• Excellent planning and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; and the ability to present complex information clearly to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
• Expert knowledge of project management methodologies and tools, including Microsoft Project or equivalent.
• Extensive travel and/or temporary or permanent relocation to the project location required.

Compensation

$175,000.00 – $350,000.00 yearly (base salary plus eligibility for discretionary year‑end incentive bonus).

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package includes insurance and disability coverage, time off, wellness programs, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k) retirement program, and more.

Job Details

• Job: Construction Services
• Primary Location: US-MO-Kansas City
• Other Locations: US-FL-Orlando, US-CA-Brea, US-IL-Chicago
• Schedule: Full‑time
• Travel: Yes, 50 % of the time
• Req ID: 263286

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

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