Project Manager

NW Natural; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vacation & sick time

Holidays & parental leave

401K with match

Tuition reimbursement

Employee discounts

Job summary

NW Natural is seeking a Project Manager for its PMO Engineering Service Delivery in Portland, OR. This non-union, full-time exempt role supports procurement, accounting, finance, engineering, IT&S, and vendors to deliver projects using PMO best practices.

The position emphasizes managing budgets, schedules, risks, and change orders, with a hybrid schedule requiring onsite presence in Portland and remote flexibility on select days.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success applying project management concepts and techniques across small to medium projects.
• Superb communication and presentation skills across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated analytical skills, including problem solving and critical thinking, with attention to detail.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and manage difficult conversations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to gain and maintain credibility at all levels of the organization.
• Thorough knowledge of project and program management theories, models, and techniques for [information technology, construction, engineering] projects.
• Demonstrated success applying project management concepts and techniques across complex, mission-critical projects/programs with multiple cross-functional dependencies.
• Master's degree in business, [technology, engineering, construction] or related field preferred.
• PMI or equivalent certification preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive project management leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive assigned projects through all phases from initiation to close per PMO process.
• Lead project intake, secure stakeholder approvals, define goals, scope, budget, and schedule.
• Oversee project team and external consultants ensuring quality deliverables.
• Identify and manage project risks and issues with stakeholders.
• Develop and manage project cost, forecast vs budget, analyze variances.
• Document changes in scope, cost, and schedule; manage Change Orders as needed.
• Coordinate project communications, meetings, status reports and executive updates.
• Manage resources including FTEs and contractors; address performance concerns.
• Assist in RFP scope documents and coordinate with procurement for outside vendors.
• Negotiate vendor change orders and integrate vendor data into the plan.
• Ensure touchpoints between sponsors, committees, stakeholders, and vendor teams.
• Prepare PMO documentation and organize project information per change management practices.
• Complete other duties including process and deliverable improvements as needed.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Leadership

PMI certification

Vendor management

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Project Manager

Non-Union Position

PMO Engineering Service Delivery; Portland, Oregon (US-OR)

Hybrid schedule available for Oregon & Washington residents.

Regular FT, Exempt

Posting # 5761

About Us:

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve.Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

In addition to environmental stewardship, we're also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

NOTE:

This hybrid position is based at our headquarters in downtown Portland, Oregon. Candidates must reside within commuting distance of the office or be willing to relocate to the Portland metropolitan area. Employees are required to work onsite Tuesdays through Thursdays each week, with remote work flexibility on Mondays and Fridays, subject to business needs. This schedule supports collaboration, connection, and team engagement while providing flexibility for focused remote work.

Position Summary:

This role works collaboratively with procurement, accounting, finance, engineering, IT&S, facilities and external vendors and partners to successfully deliver projects at NW Natural. This role will serve as a subject matter expert on PMO processes, tools, and deliverables to support other procurement resources operating in a project management capacity. This role will also actively participate in identifying, assessing, and implementing process improvements within the PMO.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for driving assigned projects throughout all project phases from initiation, through close, in accordance with the PMO's project delivery process and best practices. Build strong relationships with the project team, sponsors, stakeholders, vendors and leadership, escalating any issues thoughtfully and proactively.
• Lead the project intake process within PMO project management tool and obtain all required stakeholder approvals. Work with the project team to establish accurate project goals, scope of work, budget, and schedule.
• Oversee project team and external consultants throughout the project lifecycle and ensure deliverables are completed to NWN's standards of accuracy and quality.
• Periodically work with the project team and stakeholders to identify, collect, and manage project risks and issues
• Develop, manage, and update the project actual and forecast cost. Manage cost performance to both forecast and budget and conduct analyses to identify and remediate variances as needed.
• Assess, document, and communicate any changes in the project's scope, cost, and schedule baseline. If required, manage the Change Order request/approval process in accordance with PMO change management best practices.
• Manage project communications, including meetings, status reports, monthly portfolio reviews, and other communications. Schedule and lead periodic project team meetings and deliver meeting minutes and action items as required. Present project status reports at routine monthly executive/project sponsor meetings. Deliver ad hoc communications as needed or directed to maintain project transparency
• Identify, procure, and manage project-related human resources, including FTEs and contractors, from NW Natural resource managers or vendor partners. Provide all team members with clear guidance regarding tasks and deadlines. Work with project team members and resource managers to address and resolve any performance concerns.
• If external vendors, contractors, or resources are engaged on the project, assist purchasing with the development of request for proposal (RFP) scope documents for outside vendors. Coordinate the issuance ofRFPs with NWN procurement team.
• Negotiate and obtain approval as required for vendor change orders. Manage vendor schedules, deliverables, and cost according to their respective sows. Integrate vendor project information into the project plan.
• Ensure adequate touchpoints and communications exist between NW Natural sponsors, steering committees, and stakeholders and vendor project team members.
• Prepare and submit PMO required documentation throughout the project lifecycle process. Track, collect and organize all relevant project information in accordance with PMO change management best practices.
• Complete other duties as assigned, including process and/or deliverable improvement projects or other work as assigned by your manager or PMO leadership.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success applying project management concepts and techniques across small to medium projects
• Superb communication and presentation skills across all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated analytical skills, including problem solving and critical thinking, with attention to detail
• Ability to facilitate meetings and manage difficult conversations with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to gain and maintain credibility at all levels of the organization
• Thorough knowledge of project and program management theories, models, and techniques for [information technology, construction, engineering] projects
• Demonstrated success applying project management concepts and techniques across complex, mission-critical projects/programs with multiple cross-functional dependencies
• Master's degree in business, [technology, engineering, construction] or related field preferred
• PMI or equivalent certification preferred
• 8+ years of progressive project management leadership experience

What we offer:

Health & Wellness

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance

• Up to 23 Vacation Days
• 80 Hours of Sick Time
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth.
• 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room

Financial

• Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary
• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program

Discounts

• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Base salary range: $110,250.00-$157,100.00 per year, depending on qualifications

Annual Target Incentive: Level 3, 12.0% target Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% - 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

Deadline: 11/6/26

We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] or [phone].

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates' diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at [e-mail] or [phone].