Project Delivery Manager

Ecovyst Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ecovyst Inc. in Houston, TX seeks a Project Delivery Manager to lead front-end loading (FEL) stage-gate processes for capital projects, reporting to the Director of Capital Portfolio Management. You will guide engineers through FEL 1-3 deliverables, facilitate VIPs, and ensure project readiness before funding.

Travel up to 25% to Ecovyst sites in the U.S. and Canada, and collaborate with project teams to maintain consistency across the FEL lifecycle while driving continuous improvement and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• At least ten years of experience leading FEL through startup in chemical or related facilities.
• Experience developing FEL 1-3 deliverables within a stage-gate process.
• Experience facilitating VIPs or structured workshops.
• Knowledge of AACE estimate classes and PDRI requirements.
• Strong written communication and facilitation skills for varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Guide FEL 1–3 deliverable development and coach project engineers.
• Plan and facilitate VIP workshops and ensure outcomes are incorporated into design and estimates.
• Support FEL gate reviews across portfolios and sites.
• Deliver FEL and PDRI training for project managers, engineers, site leaders, and sponsors.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Facilitation

PDRI understanding

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

PDRI

Job description

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Project Delivery Manager

Eco Houston TX SALARY FT EXEMPT Houston, TX, US

5 days ago Requisition ID: 1474

Position Summary

This position serves as Ecovyst’s subject-matter lead for the company’s front-end loading (FEL) stage-gate process for capital projects reporting to the Director of Capital Portfolio Management. The individual will provide guidance to project engineers in developing FEL 1-3 deliverables, facilitate Value Improving Practices (VIPs), support FEL gate reviews. This role is the independent steward of project readiness: the person who confirms that each project has done the project deliverables and definition required to pass the required gate before it receives funding and moves forward.

Travel: 10% to 25% (Ecovyst U.S. and Canadian operating sites)

Key Responsibilities

FEL Deliverable Development and Coaching

• Guide project engineers in the development of FEL 1, FEL 2, and FEL 3 deliverables.
• Coach project teams in preparing bases of design, scope documents, PFDs and P&IDs, equipment lists, execution plans, schedules, and risk registers.
• Provide guidance on estimate development consistent with the appropriate AACE class at each gate, including contingency and basis-of-estimate documentation.
• Review gate packages before submission and conduct PDRI assessments, identifying gaps and defining corrective actions.

VIP Facilitation

• Plan and facilitate VIP workshops at the appropriate FEL stage, including:
  • Preparing pre-work materials, identify appropriate participants from operations, maintenance, EHS, engineering, procurement, and contractor organizations, and document workshop outcomes.
  • Monitoring VIP action items through closure and verify that approved outcomes are incorporated into the design and estimate.

FEL Gate Reviews

• Support the Director of Capital Portfolio Management in planning and conducting FEL 1, FEL 2, and FEL 3 gate reviews across the portfolio.
• Ensures the stage-gate process is applied consistently across all U.S. and Canadian sites, recognizing jurisdictional differences in regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate gate packages for completeness against FEL deliverable checklists, PDRI results, and applicable estimate-class requirements before each review.
• Identify lessons learned and ensure enterprise-wide continuous improvement.
• Monitors and reports upon the gate calendar and portfolio tracker showing where each project stands in the FEL lifecycle.

Training & Development

• Deliver and maintain FEL and PDRI training for project managers, project engineers, site leaders, and sponsors, including training materials, templates, and knowledge checks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• A minimum of ten years of relevant experience, including leadership of projects from FEL through startup in chemical, refining, petrochemical, or comparable process-manufacturing facilities.
• Demonstrated experience developing FEL 1-3 deliverables within a stage-gate process.
• Experience facilitating or participating in VIPs or comparable structured workshops.
• Working knowledge of AACE estimate classes and PDRI requirements.
• Strong written communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage audiences ranging from operators to senior leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and/or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
• Experience administering an owner’s stage-gate or project assurance function, or with Independent Project Analysis (IPA) methodologies and benchmarking.
• Experience in sulfuric acid or specialty-chemical operations.
• Experience training or mentoring engineers.
• Proficiency with scheduling and estimating applications, such as Microsoft Project.