Senior Project Manager/ Roadway Design Engineer

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Employee-Owned

401(k) with immediate vesting

Health, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead high-scope projects and programs, serving as the primary client contact and project integrator. You will plan, execute, and monitor finances while mentoring Project Managers I and II to SSR's standards.

You will coordinate staffing with discipline leaders, manage contracts, and drive timely, informed decisions across stakeholders. This role emphasizes leadership, risk management, and ownership from day one.

Qualifications

• Technical or Bachelor's degree in a major technical discipline with ten years of related project experience OR fifteen years of practical experience.
• Professional Engineer Licensure preferred (required by ABET-accredited degree holders).
• Proven leadership as a trusted advisor to clients and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-scope, high-complexity projects or multiple programs.
• Act as primary client contact, trusted advisor, and integrator of people, product, and profit.
• Plan and execute projects, manage financials, and mentor junior Project Managers I & II.
• Develop staffing plans, budgets, and taskhour plans with discipline leaders.
• Oversee contracts, kickoffs, risk, and change management.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client management

Financial management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Professional Engineer licensure

Tools

Microsoft Project

CRM platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

At SSR, we're more than a leading engineering design, consulting, and planning firm-we're a team of owners committed to solving complex projects and delivering innovative solutions for facility and infrastructure challenges. With locations across the U.S. and expertise spanning diverse markets and services, our collaborative approach empowers us to build lasting partnerships with each other, our clients, and our communities.

We believe high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand. As an owner from day one, our colleagues thrive in an environment that values accountability, celebrates achievement, and supports personal and professional growth. As owners, we take pride in our work and in each other-driving results while fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired.

Want to hear directly from our team? Visit http://www.ssr-inc.com/life-at-ssr and explore our culture on LinkedIn and Instagram.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Project Manager, you will lead highscope, highcomplexity projects or multiple programs at once-serving as the primary client contact, trusted advisor, and integrator of people, product, and profit. You will plan and execute projects, proactively manage financials, and mentor Project Managers I and II, ensuring projects are delivered to SSR's quality standards and client expectations.

• Confirm project scope and requirements with clients and stakeholders; capture assumptions and decisions.
• Coordinate the proposal phase; assist senior design staff with technical documentation and interview presentations.
• Develop financial plans by negotiating fees, preparing proposal letters, and preliminary manhour budgets with CRM/Department Head/Operations Director.
• Ensure contracts are fully executed by the appropriate Principal and align the team to contractual obligations.
• Develop project staffing plans and preliminary manhour budgets; work with discipline leaders to finalize taskhour plans.
• Lead project kickoffs to convey scope, standards, budgets, roles, risks, and expectations; foster ownership and trust.
• Set schedules with team input; propose interim milestones and adjust as conditions change.
• Schedule and sequence work; communicate action items; monitor manpower plans across disciplines and maintain profit variance targets.
• Ensure project documentation is complete and appropriately stored; keep RFI, submittal, decision, and risk logs current.
• Implement proactive QA/QC plans; coordinate timely reviews and submittals to meet standards and contract requirements.
• Issue accurate invoices promptly; monitor AR and projected monthly revenue; address collection issues proactively.
• Attend client, owner, and architect meetings; facilitate clear communication and document outcomes.
• Anticipate and address issues affecting client or SSR expectations; serve as a trusted advisor.
• Manage scope changes; identify potential crises; develop contingency plans and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor budgets and fee burn; understand how hours charged impact revenue and forecasts; process additional services as needed.
• Build, develop, and grow client relationships; engage in business development to expand services and share of wallet.
• Respond to contractor and client requests for information quickly and efficiently.
• Perform risk assessments and manage risks throughout the project life cycle.
• Manage Construction Administration to help ensure systems are installed consistent with design intent and quality standards.
• Supervise job closeout, ensuring documentation, filings, lessons learned, and archive are complete.
• Provide oversight, leadership, and mentoring for Project Managers I and II; represent SSR in multidiscipline discussions.
• Demonstrate thought leadership through professional organizations or industry speaking and writing engagements.

Who We're Looking For

Minimum Requirements:

• Technical or Bachelor's degree in one of the major technical disciplines practiced by the firm with ten years of related project experience OR
• Fifteen years of practical experience on similar projects
• Proven leadership as a trusted advisor to clients
• Demonstrated, consistent ability to manage projects of various size and complexity
• Expertise in proactively managing project financials with minimal oversight
• Professional Engineer Licensure preferred (required by those who have a ABET accredited degree in engineering)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven success leading complex, multidiscipline design programs and mentoring Project Managers.
• Executivelevel communication, presentation, and negotiation skills; concise technical writing.
• Advanced business acumen with command of pricing strategies, fee burn, earned value, forecasting, and AR.
• Experience directing proposals and interviews with Marketing and technical leaders.
• Ability to analyze tradeoffs, mitigate risk, and drive timely, wellinformed decisions across stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with scheduling, resource planning, and project/CRM platforms.

What We Offer

• 100% Employee-Owned - Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
• Retirement Savings - 401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
• Health & Wellness - Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus companyfunded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
• Company-Paid Protection - Life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
• Work-Life Balance - Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
• Career Growth - Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.

SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Affiantive Action Employer

EEO Disabled/Veterans

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

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.