Senior Project Manager - Transportation & Stormwater Management

ESP Associates, Inc.; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match

Paid Time Off & 9 Holidays

Health, Vision & Dental Insurance

Professional development support

Job summary

McClelland Consulting Engineers (MCE), an ESP Company, seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead transportation and stormwater projects in Arkansas. You will oversee planning, design, and delivery for complex programs, while guiding client relationships and strategic growth initiatives.

You will mentor staff, manage budgets, and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to ensure successful project outcomes and profitability while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with PE license in Arkansas or eligible by reciprocity within six months.
• 10+ years of progressive transportation/stormwater engineering experience and proven project leadership.
• Proficiency with ORD, MicroStation, GeoPak, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and related software.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, design, and delivery of transportation and stormwater projects.
• Manage large, complex projects with strong client engagement.
• Develop scopes, budgets, schedules, and staffing plans; monitor performance.
• Provide technical oversight and QA for roadway and drainage work.
• Mentor project managers, engineers, and designers; support business development.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Budget management

Mentoring

Communication

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

PE license in Arkansas or reciprocity

Tools

OpenRoads Designer (ORD)

MicroStation

GeoPak

AutoCAD Civil 3D

MS Office

Job description

McClelland Consulting Engineers (MCE), an ESP Company, is a regional, multidisciplined engineering consulting firm with more than 160 employees throughout our offices in Little Rock, Benton, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Rogers. We are focused on providing exceptional customer service by committing our time, energy, and professionalism to complete projects that enhance quality of life, improve infrastructure, and create positive economic impacts within the communities we serve.

Summary

Located in the Benton/Little Rock area, this position will provide leadership for the planning, design, and delivery of transportation and stormwater infrastructure projects, including roadway improvements, highways, sidewalks, trails, drainage systems, and stormwater management facilities. The Senior Project Manager will serve as a trusted advisor to clients, lead major and complex projects, support strategic growth initiatives, and assist department leadership with business development, staff development, and operational planning. This position plays a key role in expanding client relationships, developing future leaders, and supporting the continued growth and success of the Transportation & Stormwater Management Department.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee transportation, roadway, multi-use trail, and stormwater infrastructure projects from planning and design through construction and project closeout.
• Serve as a senior client manager and trusted advisor for municipalities, counties, state agencies, private clients, and other stakeholders.
• Lead the delivery of large, complex, and high-profile projects while ensuring exceptional client service and project outcomes.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, staffing plans, and resource forecasts while monitoring project performance and profitability.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for roadway, drainage, stormwater, and transportation engineering projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams consisting of engineers, designers, surveyors, geotechnical consultants, environmental specialists, and construction administration personnel.
• Support department leadership in workload planning, resource allocation, staff utilization, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Mentor and develop Project Managers, Project Engineers, Designers, EITs, and other technical staff.
• Assist with identifying, recruiting, and retaining high-performing team members.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and identify opportunities for additional services and project pursuits.
• Lead proposal preparation, fee development, interviews, contract negotiations, and business development efforts.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, funding requirements, permits, and design standards.
• Monitor project financial performance, including forecasting, invoicing, contract administration, change management, and profitability.
• Identify and manage risks while implementing solutions that support successful project delivery.
• Represent the firm at industry events, professional organizations, conferences, and client meetings.
• Support Department Leads and company leadership in achieving departmental, operational, and growth objectives.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of Arkansas or ability to obtain through reciprocity within six months.
• 10+ years of progressive transportation and/or stormwater engineering experience.
• Demonstrated success managing large, complex transportation or stormwater infrastructure projects.
• Experience developing and maintaining key client relationships.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, contracts, multidisciplinary teams, and project profitability.
• Experience leading proposal efforts, project pursuits, and business development activities.
• Proficiency with OpenRoads Designer (ORD), MicroStation, GeoPak, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and related engineering software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong leadership, communication, client-service, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
• Experience mentoring and supervising technical staff.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local engineering standards, regulations, and procedures.
• Experience with Synchro, SIDRA, and RODEL software is advantageous.
• Candidates must be able to pass a drug screen, background check, and maintain a satisfactory driving record.

Preferred

• Experience with ARDOT, municipal, county, and other public-sector transportation projects.

Travel

• Most travel is limited to day trips for project meetings, client visits, and site observations throughout Arkansas. Overnight travel is generally minimal but may be required periodically based on project or client needs.

MCE offers an excellent employee benefits package including:

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews.
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility at beginning of the quarter following 3 months’ employment)
• PTO (Paid Time Off) & 9 Paid Holidays
• Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days)
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (MCE self-insured)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employer paid)
• Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account & Limited Flexible Spending Account
• HSA Savings Account
• Additional Optional Insurances available
• Employee referral bonus program.
• Professional development, continuing education, and licensure support.