Senior Project Manager – Water/Wastewater Infrastructure (00598)

Pmaconsultants; Plymouth (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-from-home options

Client-site opportunities

Competitive pay and benefits

Wellness programs

Job summary

PMA is seeking a seasoned Senior Project Manager to lead large capital programs from planning through closeout. You will manage cross-disciplinary teams, maintain client relationships, and ensure delivery on scope, schedule, and budget while leveraging industry best practices.

The role requires extensive experience in construction management, strong communication skills, and the ability to mentor junior staff. A hybrid work model with on-site presence and client-site opportunities is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or related field; PE/PMP a plus
• 12+ years of experience in construction, infrastructure, or project management
• Water/wastewater infrastructure experience strongly preferred; other capital programs also considered
• Experience delivering large projects through CMaR, design-build, and design-bid-build
• Experience managing full lifecycle projects from planning to closeout
• Experience negotiating contracts and resolving change orders and claims
• Experience serving in an owner's-representative or client-side PM role preferred
• Strong client relationship management and senior stakeholder communication skills
• Proficiency with Primavera P6 and solid project controls knowledge

Responsibilities

• Independently manage large or multi-phase capital improvement projects for the client
• Provide senior leadership across planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout
• Own day-to-day client relationship and be the primary contact for issues and escalations
• Coordinate with contractors, design consultants, engineers, vendors and stakeholders
• Establish project governance, reporting standards and PM tools
• Oversee scopes, budgets, schedules, resources, milestones, and financial performance
• Review submittals, schedules, and change management; track technical progress
• Lead and resolve complex project, contractual, and stakeholder issues
• Guide contract negotiations, change orders, claims, and other commercial matters
• Monitor performance metrics; implement recovery and mitigation strategies when needed
• Provide senior site oversight and QA/QC during construction and closeout
• Lead project meetings and facilitate cross-team communication
• Mentor and develop project managers and junior staff
• Contribute to project deliverables, procurement documents and specifications
• Support firm-wide PM standards and governance improvements
• Review portfolio performance to identify delivery improvements
• Assist business development through proposals and client conversations
• Identify opportunities for additional services and long-term relationships
• Interface with internal and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality delivery
• Maintain on-site presence ~2 days/week; occasional overtime or weekend work
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Client relationship management

Project leadership

Stakeholder communication

Risk management

Contract administration

Negotiation

Mentoring staff

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering / construction management or related field

PE and/or PMP certification

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Responsibilities

• Independently manage large or multi-phase capital improvement projects, or major components of larger programs, on the client's behalf.
• Provide senior-level leadership and oversight of project planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Own the day-to-day client relationship and serve as the primary point of contact for project issues, decisions, and escalations.
• Represent the client's interests when coordinating with contractors, design consultants, engineers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain project governance, management processes, reporting standards, and PM tools.
• Oversee project scopes, budgets, schedules, resources, milestones, and financial performance.
• Review and validate contractor and design-consultant schedules, budgets, submittals, change management, and technical progress.
• Lead resolution of complex project, technical, contractual, and stakeholder issues.
• Guide contract negotiations, change orders, claims, and other commercial matters through resolution in the client's best interest.
• Monitor project performance, risks, trends, and key metrics; develop and implement recovery and mitigation strategies when necessary.
• Provide senior-level site oversight and QA/QC observations during construction and closeout.
• Lead project meetings and facilitate communication and decision-making among clients, contractors, consultants, and internal teams.
• Mentor, coach, and provide oversight to Project Managers and junior staff, supporting their professional development and growth.
• Review and contribute to project deliverables, procurement documents, construction specifications, submittals, RFIs, change orders, and other project documentation.
• Support the development and implementation of firm-wide project management standards, governance practices, and process improvements.
• Review performance metrics across a portfolio of projects and identify opportunities to improve delivery, efficiency, and client service.
• Support business development activities, including proposals, interviews, client presentations, and project scoping conversations.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for additional client services and strengthening long-term client relationships.
• Interface with internal departments and external clients to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Maintain an on-site presence approximately two days per week, depending on project phase and construction activity.
• Work occasional overtime as required to meet project deliverables; weekend work is rare but may occasionally be necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field. PE and/or PMP certification is a plus.
• 12+ years of relevant experience in construction, infrastructure, or project management.
• Water/wastewater infrastructure experience strongly preferred; candidates with substantial experience managing complex building, process, industrial, civil infrastructure, or similar capital programs will also be considered.
• Proven track record delivering large and complex projects through multiple delivery methods, including CMaR, design-build, and design-bid-build.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects across the full project lifecycle, from planning and design through construction and closeout.
• Experience negotiating and administering contracts and resolving change orders, claims, and other commercial issues.
• Experience serving in an owner's-representative or client-side project management role preferred.
• Proven ability to independently manage complex projects and make sound decisions with minimal oversight.
• Strong client relationship management skills with the ability to serve as a trusted advisor and senior point of contact.
• Proficiency with Primavera P6.
• Strong understanding of project controls, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, contract administration, and construction processes.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop project managers and junior staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present project strategies, recommendations, and performance to senior stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered in lieu of stated minimum qualifications.

Additional Requirements

Physical: Standing or sitting for long periods; must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times and spend extended hours in front of a computer screen.

Cognitive: Problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills; computer and software skills; and ability to read and interpret text online or in printed form.

About PMA

At PMA, employee well-being is a daily priority. We offer a combination of workplace options that include a PMA office location; work-from-home; or a client site. Wherever we work, we openly share knowledge as we believe that collaboration with peers improves our work product and that pursuing subject matter expertise is a lifelong endeavor.

We are committed to a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We affirm and respect diverse backgrounds and opinions because we believe they yield the best solutions for our clients. We promote emotional intelligence and trust by nurturing these values within our new hires.

We encourage staff to develop rewarding, long-term careers at PMA, and we implement formal leadership development programs that help you attain your goals. At PMA, shared success is a core value. Every employee who contributes is recognized, celebrated, and rewarded. We look for self-driven candidates eager to assume responsibility and join a community of respect founded on collaboration and accountability, not titles. If you aim to transform the project management practice toward continuous improvement of project outcomes, the profession, and yourself, PMA looks forward to warmly welcoming you to our team.

We offer competitive pay and benefits, wellness programs for you and your family, and career development opportunities to advance your professional goals.

As a PMA professional, you will be empowered to make timely and effective decisions and significant daily contributions to complex facets of project delivery. Join a team that has achieved a world-class reputation in the construction industry and has been voted a “Best Place to Work.”

PMA offers competitive wages and comprehensive benefits, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, time off with pay, 401(k) with company match, life, disability, and professional development reimbursement for qualifying employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), disability, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. Qualified female and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.

EOE, including persons with disabilities and veterans.

VEVRAA federal contractor.