Senior Risk Manager

WSP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Risk Manager to join our Project Controls group in Houston, TX. The role focuses on leading risk management on projects, developing risk frameworks, and guiding teams through quantitative risk analyses and contingency planning.

Ideal candidates bring 12+ years of risk/contract management experience, proficiency with risk software (@Risk, Acumen Risk, Crystal Ball) and scheduling tools (P6, MS Project), and a strong track record in risk reporting and leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Economics, Finance, or relevant field

Responsibilities

• Act as the risk management subject matter expert on assigned project, program, portfolio being accountable for the risk management performance on assigned commissions.
• Develop effective risk management framework / strategy.
• Plan, design, and implement risk management processes tailored to the client’s needs and aligned with best practice (e.g., AACE International, Project Management Institute, ISO 31000).
• Facilitate structured discussions and workshops to elicit assumptions, quantify uncertainty, and validate economic risk drivers with technical and project stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project and/or program risk registers with input from project and client team members.
• Develop and maintain quantitative economic risk models to evaluate the probability and impact of alternative project outcomes, including downside and upside scenarios.
• Conduct quantitative cost and schedule risk analysis (QCRA/QSRA) using probabilistic and simulation based methods to evaluate forecast uncertainty and outcome distributions.
• Analyze economic drivers of project risk, including market conditions, labor and commodity trends, productivity assumptions, and systemic risk factors.
• Prepare economic risk assessments, forecasts, and scenario analyses to support project managers, executives, and clients in strategic decision making.
• Advise project leadership on risk adjusted contingency and schedule reserve ranges based on quantitative economic analysis.
• Prepare project and/or program risk reports as required.
• Support project teams in developing and implementing appropriate internal and external response plans for critical risks.
• Work with project teams to determine appropriate contingency and schedule reserve amounts.
• Provide training to junior risk managers and other staff as required.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a big-picture point of view.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviors and maintain effective working relationships based on diplomacy while maintaining independence and not swayed in judgment or course of actions.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, analytical, and multi-tasking skills (i.e., ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously).
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Travel as required

Skills

Risk management experience

QRA workshops

Risk modeling methods

Risk analysis software: @Risk

Risk analysis software: Primavera Risk

Risk analysis software: Crystal Ball

OPC

Power BI

Planning tools: P6

Planning tools: MS Project

Team development

Risk reports/documentation

Safety policy compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Economics/Finance

Tools

Power BI

Primavera Risk Analysis

@Risk

Acumen Risk

Crystal Ball

OPC

P6

MS Project

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking a Senior Risk Manager to join our Project Controls group in Houston, TX.

Your Impact

• Act as the risk management subject matter expert on assigned project, program, portfolio being accountable for the risk management performance on assigned commissions.
• Develop effective risk management framework / strategy.
• Plan, design, and implement risk management processes tailored to the client’s needs and aligned with best practice (e.g., AACE International, Project Management Institute, ISO 31000).
• Facilitate structured discussions and workshops to elicit assumptions, quantify uncertainty, and validate economic risk drivers with technical and project stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project and/or program risk registers with input from project and client team members.
• Develop and maintain quantitative economic risk models to evaluate the probability and impact of alternative project outcomes, including downside and upside scenarios.
• Conduct quantitative cost and schedule risk analysis (QCRA/QSRA) using probabilistic and simulation based methods to evaluate forecast uncertainty and outcome distributions.
• Analyze economic drivers of project risk, including market conditions, labor and commodity trends, productivity assumptions, and systemic risk factors.
• Prepare economic risk assessments, forecasts, and scenario analyses to support project managers, executives, and clients in strategic decision making.
• Advise project leadership on risk adjusted contingency and schedule reserve ranges based on quantitative economic analysis.
• Prepare project and/or program risk reports as required.
• Support project teams in developing and implementing appropriate internal and external response plans for critical risks.
• Work with project teams to determine appropriate contingency and schedule reserve amounts.
• Provide training to junior risk managers and other staff as required.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a big-picture point of view.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviors and maintain effective working relationships based on diplomacy while maintaining independence and not swayed in judgment or course of actions.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, analytical, and multi-tasking skills (i.e., ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously).
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Travel as required

Who You Are

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Economics, Finance, or relevant field
• 12 years of experience in risk management; construction management; project management; and/or contract or change management
• Knowledge of general risk management and project control standards and frameworks, (e.g., AACE International, APM, IRM, Project Management Institute, ISO 31000).
• Experience in facilitating quantitative risk analysis (QRA) workshops on cost and schedule.
• Experience in conceptualizing and developing risk models using analytical methods.
• Working knowledge of cost risk analysis software (@Risk, Acumen Risk, Crystal Ball etc.) and schedule risk analysis software (OPC, Primavera Risk Analysis, etc.).
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams.
• Experience in preparing risk reports and documentation
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Engineering / Economics / Project Controls Management background.
• Experience in multiple sectors (e.g., transportation, energy, aviation etc.) and familiar with project/program delivery processes.
• PMP, PMI-RMP or other certification
• Experience in effectively reporting and communicating risk analysis outcomes to wider project team.
• Experience in Strategic and / or Enterprise Risk Management is a plus
• Experience in FTA funded programs
• Knowledge and understanding of Federal, state, and local transportation administration regulations and policies
• Practical Knowledge of Power BI and other reporting suite tools.
• Commercial acumen in relation to business development
• Knowledge of planning tools (e.g., P6, MS Project)

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