Project Director

WSP in the U.S.; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 125,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement savings

Paid time off

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Project Director to review and support delivery of a portfolio of projects, provide oversight to project teams, and act as an escalation point to ensure high-quality work. The role develops strong project delivery practices and guides the team to win repeat work.

The candidate will coach Project Managers, oversee budgets, scope, schedules, risk and quality, and report to Senior Leadership. A Bachelor's degree and 7–10 years of delivery experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 7–10 years of progressive project delivery experience, including large programs.
• 3–5 years of leadership experience overseeing Project Managers or multiple projects.
• Experience managing scope, schedule, budget, risk and quality outcomes.
• Experience budgeting, forecasting, revenue recognition, margin management, and change control.
• Experience leading governance, controls, and reporting frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Ensure project teams have required skills, knowledge and experience for delivery.
• Define, plan and understand work, budgets and pricing for projects.
• Monitor delivery against the plan with appropriate controls.
• Coach and guide Project Managers.
• Link between project teams and Senior Leadership with strategic guidance and updates.
• Escalation point for project teams and clients as needed.
• Perform project performance reviews and oversee multiple projects.
• Oversee formal project closure and mentorship of junior staff.
• Adhere to Code of Conduct and company policies; manage funds ethically.
• Travel may be required depending on project needs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic communication

Budgeting and forecasting

Risk management

Coaching/mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Construction Management/PM

Tools

MS Office Suite

Project Management Tools

SharePoint

Job description

Job Description

The Project Director is accountable for the review and supports delivery of a portfolio of projects. They provide oversight, support and guidance to the Project Teams within their portfolio, including acting as an escalation point. They are project-focused and are responsible for developing strong, long-lasting project delivery practices, and identifying and delivering quality work product to support winning repeat work.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the Project Team has the required levels of skill, knowledge and experience to deliver the projects.
• Ensures that the work, budgeted costs and pricing associated with the project are defined, planned and understood.
• Ensures appropriate controls are in place to monitor delivery against the plan.
• Coach and guides Project Managers.
• Acts as a link between the Project Team and Senior Leadership, providing both strategic guidance to the Delivery Team and regular updates to the Leadership Team.
• Acts as an escalation point for the Project Team and occasionally for the client.
• Conducts regular and robust project performance reviews and project oversight of multiple projects and tracks project overall performance.
• Oversees formal closure of the project.
• Mentor junior staff to support their growth and professional development.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 7-10 years of progressive project delivery experience, including management or support of large projects or programs.
• Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience overseeing or supporting Project Managers, project teams, or multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated experience supporting projects with responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality outcomes.
• Experience managing project financials, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue recognition, margin management, and change control.
• Proven ability to oversee multiple projects or a portfolio simultaneously.
• Experience implementing and maintaining project governance, controls, and reporting frameworks.
• Experience identifying, mitigating, and escalating project risks and issues in a timely manner.
• Track record of coaching, mentoring, and developing Project Managers and delivery team members.
• Experience working within a matrixed or cross-functional organizational structure.
• Ability to interpret contractual requirements and manage delivery obligations accordingly.
• Demonstrated capability to lead project recovery efforts and drive corrective actions when needed.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally.
• Competent with technical writing, office automation, relevant software, MS Office suite products (e.g., Word, Excel, Visio, Project, SharePoint), technology, spreadsheets, and PM tools.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $125,000 - $189,000 WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law. Expected Salary (Colorado only): $140,000 - $177,000 WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

About WSP

ABOUT US WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.