Senior Project Manager Structural (Buildings)

MSA Professional Services; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 99,875 - 159,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid Time Off

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

401k Retirement Savings Plan

Job summary

MSA Professional Services in Des Moines, Iowa is looking for a Senior Project Manager – Structural to oversee building structure projects for municipalities and public clients. This leadership role involves managing project lifecycles, teams, and client relationships while ensuring successful outcomes.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field, with a minimum of 10 years of Project Management experience. The position offers a competitive salary range of $99,875 to $159,800 and various employee benefits.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant Project Management experience required.
• Strong command of project financials including WIP and budget.
• Professional licensure (PE and/or SE) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead project lifecycle from initiation to closeout.
• Manage multi-disciplinary teams effectively.
• Direct proposal development and marketing strategies.

Skills

Project financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Complex project management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management

Job description

Senior Project Manager – Structural (Buildings)

MSA is seeking a Senior Project Manager – Structural to lead building structure projects serving municipalities and public‑sector clients. This role focuses on municipal facilities, water and wastewater treatment structures, waterfront infrastructure, parks & recreation facilities, and tank design – projects that communities depend on every day.

This is a leadership position for someone who doesn’t just manage schedules — you drive outcomes, guide teams, steward financial performance, and build long‑term client relationships.

If you’re ready to take full ownership of complex structural building projects from pursuit through closeout, this is your platform. You can office out of any of our WI, MN, IA or IL offices.

Why This Role Matters

You won’t be buried in production. You will:

• Serve as the primary client‑facing leader
• Direct multi‑disciplinary teams
• Own budgets, scope, schedule, and profitability
• Lead pursuit strategy and proposal development
• Shape how projects are delivered across the firm

At least 75% of your billable time will be dedicated to project management leadership.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Lead

Project & Client Leadership

You are accountable for the full project lifecycle:

Pursuit

• Lead proposal development and statements of qualifications
• Evaluate Go/No‑Go decisions with leadership
• Participate in marketing and business development strategy

Initiation & Planning

• Define scope, WBS, budgets, and schedules
• Develop Project Management Plans (PMP) and QA/QC strategies
• Assemble and align internal and external project teams
• Establish stakeholder engagement strategies

Execution

• Lead internal and external kickoff meetings
• Facilitate client meetings and agency coordination
• Oversee milestone delivery and document quality
• Review complex technical documentation and calculations
• Stamp/certify deliverables when licensed

Monitoring & Controlling

• Track WIP, budget vs. actuals, scope, and schedule
• Manage invoicing and receivables
• Identify scope creep and secure amendments
• Manage ERP entries, resource allocation, and approvals

Closeout

• Ensure all commitments are met
• Document lessons learned
• Capture marketing success stories
• Confirm and document client satisfaction

Qualifications

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field
• 10+ years of relevant Project Management experience (9 with advanced degree; 11 if unlicensed)
• Professional licensure required (PE and/or SE license preferred)
• Completion of MSA’s internal PM training or equivalent
• Strong command of project financials (WIP, billings, budget vs. actual)
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi‑disciplinary projects
• Experience negotiating scope, budget amendments, and sensitive financial discussions
• Advanced communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proven ability to mentor and lead high‑performing teams
• The selected candidate must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future. We are unable to provide or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role.

Benefits

The salary for this position ranges from $99,875 to $159,800 per year commensurate with experience. Higher compensation within this range will be paid to candidates with significant experience and exceptional qualifications.

Eligible employees enjoy:

• Quality Insurance Options: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
• Paid Time Off: Minimum of 17 days in the first year for full‑time employees
• Paid Holidays: 8 holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave: 2 weeks for both parents, with additional time for birth parents under MSA’s Short Term Paid Leave
• Supplemental Insurance: 100% paid life, long‑term disability, and short‑term disability insurance
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): 100% employee‑owned, with stock provided at no cost
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan: Generous employer match, immediately 100% vested
• Short Term Incentive (STIP) bonus

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

MSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At MSA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail].