Project Management Director – Energy Advisory | 1898 & Co

1898 & Co.; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

1898 & Co., part of Burns & McDonnell, is seeking a Project Management Director for the Energy Advisory department in Kansas City, MO. You will lead, develop, and mentor the project management team while guiding delivery of complex, multidisciplinary advisory engagements across multiple service areas.

The role requires deep experience in project management, financial oversight, and leadership across technical teams, with a focus on continuous improvement and client satisfaction within the energy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or related field is required.
• PE license is preferred.
• Significant experience leading project management within engineering or advisory services.

Responsibilities

• Lead the project management function across the Energy Advisory department and manage project managers.
• Oversee delivery of complex, multidisciplinary advisory engagements across service areas.
• Develop and enforce project management tools, workflows, and standards for consistency.
• Ensure adherence to safety, quality, and financial performance standards across portfolios.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Financial acumen

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Description

At 1898 & Co., part of Burns & McDonnell, our Energy Advisory department helps clients navigate the evolving energy landscape with confidence. Our team brings together expertise across Power & Fuels, Renewables, Power Markets, and Utility Finance to deliver innovative, data-driven solutions for utilities, developers, and investors. We combine deep engineering expertise with commercial, financial, market, and regulatory insight to help clients plan, develop, evaluate, and manage energy investments across the asset lifecycle.

Description

At 1898 & Co., part of Burns & McDonnell, our Energy Advisory department helps clients navigate the evolving energy landscape with confidence. Our team brings together expertise across Power & Fuels, Renewables, Power Markets, and Utility Finance to deliver innovative, data-driven solutions for utilities, developers, and investors. We combine deep engineering expertise with commercial, financial, market, and regulatory insight to help clients plan, develop, evaluate, and manage energy investments across the asset lifecycle.

We are seeking a Project Management Director to provide strategic and operational leadership for project delivery across the Energy Advisory department. This senior leadership role is responsible for leading and developing Energy Advisory project managers, advancing consistent project management practices, overseeing portfolio performance, and supporting the successful delivery of complex advisory engagements.

The Project Management Director will work closely with Energy Advisory managing directors, business line leaders, project managers, and multidisciplinary teams to strengthen project execution and financial performance across the department. This role will reinforce Burns & McDonnell’s core values of client satisfaction, integrity, commitment, safety, and outstanding service.

What You’ll Do

As the Project Management Director, you will lead the project management function across the Energy Advisory department. You will directly manage and develop Energy Advisory project managers while providing oversight of project delivery, resource coordination, financial performance, quality, and operational consistency across the department’s portfolio.

Responsibilities

You will collaborate with Energy Advisory leadership and project teams to ensure projects are effectively planned, managed, and delivered in alignment with client expectations and organizational objectives. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership and direction to the Energy Advisory project management team, ensuring efficient and cost-effective utilization of staff.
• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain high‑performing employee‑owners supporting Energy Advisory engagements.
• Conduct performance evaluations for direct reports and selected department staff, providing clear feedback and professional development guidance.
• Interpret and communicate organizational goals, policies, and priorities to department personnel.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement aligned with Burns & McDonnell values.

Project & Resource Management

• Lead the development and execution of Project Management strategic initiatives supporting Energy Advisory programs and portfolios.
• Oversee delivery of complex, multidisciplinary Energy Advisory engagements across the department’s service areas.
• Guide the development and use of project management tools, workflows, and standards to improve consistency and efficiency across the Energy Advisory department.
• Provide oversight of quality control processes and ensure adherence to the Burns & McDonnell Quality Control program in collaboration with the project delivery managers.
• Ensure compliance with company and site safety policies across all project management activities.
• Support alignment across regional offices related to project management development, quality, and resource coordination.

Strategic & Operational Execution

• Provide direct oversight and management of project management budgets, including expenditure of funds and financial performance.
• Achieve stated financial targets for Energy Advisory engagements, including revenue, margin, and utilization goals.
• Present monthly financial reporting to leadership, including revenue forecasts and portfolio performance metrics.
• Collaborate with leadership to implement firmwide initiatives and drive continuous operational improvement.
• Support integration of project management best practices across Energy Advisory teams.
• Development and oversight of project management onboarding and development plans for project managers within the department.

Business Development & Client Engagement

• Provide direction and support for business development efforts related to Energy Advisory, including identification and vetting of prospective clients and engagements.
• Lead and support project‑related business development activities aligned with Energy Advisory services.
• Apply deep expertise in client development to support proposal development, pursuit strategy, and contract negotiations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with energy and utility clients to support long‑term advisory partnerships and repeat engagements.
• Support strategies for cross‑selling engineering, planning, and advisory services across Burns & McDonnell and 1898 & Co.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Significant experience leading project management, project delivery, or operations within a consulting, engineering, advisory, professional services, utility, energy, or infrastructure organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and mentoring project managers, including establishing performance expectations, providing coaching and feedback, and supporting career development.
• Experience overseeing a portfolio of complex, multidisciplinary consulting or professional services engagements, with accountability for consistent project execution and overall portfolio performance.
• Strong understanding of project management fundamentals, including scope, schedule, budget, resource planning, risk management, quality, contracting, change management, and client communication.
• Demonstrated experience managing and improving project financial performance, including revenue, margin, backlog, forecasting, utilization, and cash management.
• Experience establishing, implementing, and continuously improving project management processes, tools, standards, and performance metrics across multiple teams or service areas.
• Proven ability to identify and address project delivery risks, resolve complex project issues, and provide leadership support to project managers on challenging engagements.
• Experience working within the energy or utility industry, with familiarity across one or more areas such as power generation, renewable energy, power markets, utility finance, asset advisory, or related energy consulting services.
• Ability to work effectively across technical disciplines, business lines, regional offices, and leadership teams to align resources and strengthen project execution.
• Strong business and commercial judgment, including experience supporting proposal development, project execution strategies, fee development, contract negotiations, and client engagement.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence teams and senior stakeholders while balancing project, client, financial, and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated commitment to building a strong project management culture through accountability, collaboration, knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and development of future project management leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business or related degree from an accredited program and 13 years relevant consulting experience, preferably in the engineering or construction industry or project management, required.
• Expert experience in client and business development.
• Expert experience in managing projects, which includes proposal development, contract negotiations, project planning, design team coordination & communication, budgeting, schedule management, and client coordination.
• Expert facilitation, collaboration, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated success as to budget, savings and/or profit margins in completed projects.
• Ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead and manage.
• Excellent planning and analytical skills.
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
• Expert knowledge of project management methodologies and tools including the use of Microsoft Project or equivalent.
• Professional Engineer (PE) License preferred.

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

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Engineering

Primary Location US-MO-Kansas City

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time

About 1898 & Co.

1898 & Co. is a business, technology and security solutions consultancy where experience and foresight come together to unlock lasting advancements. We innovate today to fuel our clients’ future growth, catalyzing insights that drive smarter decisions, improve performance and maximize value. As part of Burns & McDonnell, we draw on more than 120 years of deep and broad experience in complex industries as we envision and enable the future for our clients.

Req ID: 265227

Job Hire Type Experienced #E98 N/A