Senior Project Manager

City of Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Generous benefits package

City pension plan with employer/worker

Job summary

City of Seattle seeks a Senior Project Manager (Sr. Civil Engineer) to lead large-scale water, drainage and wastewater infrastructure initiatives. You will coordinate with SPU and external partners, manage scope, schedule and budget, and apply PMBOK/TCM and earned value practices.

Reports to a Capital Project Manager in SPU's Engineering Branch. The role demands heavy collaboration, regulatory awareness and leadership across departments.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional civil engineering experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex infrastructure projects across multiple agencies.
• Develop baselines for scope, schedule, and cost and monitor performance.
• Apply PMBOK and TCM frameworks, earned value management and critical path scheduling.
• Coordinate design engineers, construction staff, and external partners across phases.
• Negotiate contracts and manage financial aspects of large investments.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Leadership

Contract management

Communication skills

Negotiation

Financial tracking

Risk management

Education

Civil engineering degree

Professional Engineer (WA)

Job description

Seattle Public Utilities is seeking for a Senior Project Managers under the city's job classification of (Sr. Civil Engineer) to lead complex interagency and SPU-initiated infrastructure projects that deliver critical water, drainage, and wastewater improvements for Seattle and the region. In this position many of your assignments may fall under SPU’s Combined Sewer Overflow Program, Watermain Replacement Program, Drainage and Wastewater Capacity Projects, Workforce Facilities Improvements, Emergency and Urgent Response Projects, and Interagency Infrastructure Coordination Initiatives—each demanding a high level of technical expertise, regulatory awareness, and collaborative leadership across departments and external partners. These positions will report to a Capital Project Manager in SPU's Project Delivery and Engineering Branch.

About Seattle Public Utilities:Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), check out the:

• SPU Website
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities. We know work isn’t only about what you do, it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities.
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment.
• Generous benefits package.
• Free public transportation options.
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions.
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities.

Project Management & Coordination:

• Controlling project baselines for scope, schedule, and cost.
• Applying risk management practices consistent with PMBOK and AACE Total Cost Management (TCM) frameworks.
• Applying active use of earned value management, critical path scheduling, and cost forecasting to monitor performance and support data-driven decisions.

• Manage all phases of project delivery—initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing—ensuring projects are delivered in scope, on time, within budget, and to defined quality standards.
• Provide technical and strategic leadership aligned with SPU’s infrastructure priorities.

• Develop and lead project-specific SPU teams including design engineers, Lines of Business representatives, construction engineers, public outreach, and real property staff.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure successful completion.
• Identify and work on process improvements as necessary.

Interagency Relations & Collaboration:

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with counterparts in state and city agencies to ensure effective project delivery with reduced public impact.
• Engage in good faith negotiations to find mutually acceptable solutions that advance overall public interests.
• Ensure timely and accurate technical responses and collaboration with other agencies.
• Navigate complex intergovernmental scenarios with technical engineering expertise.
• Supports department goals in promoting diversity and social justice in keeping with the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Contract & Financial Management:

• Negotiate contracts and contract amendments for major infrastructure projects.
• Track project scope, costs, and schedule performance.
• Ensure accurate billing processes and payment coordination.
• Manage financial aspects of multi-million-dollar infrastructure investments.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Experience:Five years (5) professional civil engineering experience.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology; (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience, which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

License, Certification Requirements:

• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington is required.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Desired Qualifications:

• Project Management Experience: Experience managing complex infrastructure and facilities projects with multiple stakeholders and organizations, including demonstrated proficiency in project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Proven track record of successful collaboration with transportation authorities, utilities, regulatory agencies, or similar organizations.
• Transportation Infrastructure Knowledge: Experience with transportation projects, road construction, or infrastructure coordination within public or private right-of-way environments.
• Contract Management: Experience with contract negotiation, amendments, and financial tracking for infrastructure projects.
• Technical Leadership: Experience leading engineering teams and coordinating with subject matter experts across water, wastewater, drainage, or similar utility systems.
• Infrastructure and Facility Project Experience: Background with large-scale infrastructure and facility projects in public, private, or regulated utility environments.
• Communication & Negotiation Skills: Strong ability to engage in stakeholder discussions, resolve conflicts, build consensus among diverse groups, and find mutually acceptable solutions that broadly protect public interests.
• Financial Management: Experience with project budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting for infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing projects with complex regulatory and permitting requirements.
• Utility Operations Understanding: Knowledge of water, wastewater, drainage, or similar utility system operations and maintenance requirements.

Workplace Schedule/Environment:

• This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. City employees will have the option to work remote two days a week.Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.
• Work is performed both in an office environment and in a public setting.

The full salary range for this position is $74.99 - $87.31per hour.

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SME 14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Benefits:The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Who may apply:The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.