Senior Project Manager

papedawson; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Pape-Dawson Engineers in Houston, TX is seeking a Senior Project Manager to provide strategic, technical, and managerial leadership across engineering projects. You will manage client satisfaction, project performance, and team leadership while staying hands-on on key projects.

The role involves mentoring project managers, overseeing budgets and schedules, and contributing to firmwide growth through market engagement and improvement of standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer license or ability to obtain license in required state.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant engineering and project management experience.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and maintaining client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal client contact and foster long-term partnerships.
• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of multiple complex projects within quality, schedule, and budget targets.
• Develop and negotiate project scopes, budgets, schedules, proposals, and contracts.
• Provide leadership and mentoring to project managers and technical staff.
• Oversee project financial performance, staffing plans, and resource allocation.
• Review and approve technical deliverables for standards and client requirements.
• Perform or oversee QA/QC, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Lead or support business development activities, including RFQs and proposals.
• Represent the firm in meetings with clients, agencies, boards, and stakeholders.
• Contribute to design standards and operational excellence across the firm.
• Balance client needs with internal priorities to maintain satisfaction and profitability.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client relationships

Mentoring

Business development

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Job Description:

Overview

The Senior Project Manager provides strategic, technical, and managerial leadership for complex engineering projects across assigned service areas. This role is responsible for client satisfaction, project performance, team leadership, and business development while maintaining hands‑on involvement in key projects.

Senior Project Managers lead multidisciplinary teams, manage multiple concurrent assignments, and contribute to firmwide growth through mentoring, market engagement, and continuous improvement of standards and practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a principal client contact, fostering strong relationships that support repeat work and long‑term partnerships.
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple complex projects, ensuring quality, schedule, budget, and profitability objectives are met.
• Develop and negotiate project scopes, budgets, schedules, proposals, and contracts.
• Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary project teams, including mentoring and professional development of Project Managers and technical staff.
• Oversee project financial performance, staffing plans, and resource allocation across assignments.
• Review and approve technical deliverables to ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and client requirements.
• Perform or oversee QA/QC reviews, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Lead or support business development efforts, including pursuits, RFQs, proposals, interviews, and account growth.
• Represent the firm in meetings with clients, agencies, boards, and stakeholders, presenting technical and strategic information effectively.
• Contribute to firmwide initiatives related to design standards, best practices, staff development, and operational excellence.
• Balance client needs with internal priorities to maintain high levels of satisfaction, accountability, collaboration, and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state(s) required to support project work.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant engineering and project management experience depending on service area.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Proven ability to mentor staff, guide other Project Managers, and supervise teams of approximately 5-7 employees.
• Strong business development, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and multiple concurrent projects effectively.
• Ability to work Monday-Friday with flexibility for overtime as needed.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.