Vice President, Program & Construction Management - Power

ESP Associates, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Paid time off

Holidays

Health insurance

Teladoc access

Short-term disability

Job summary

ESP Associates, Inc. invites a seasoned leader to build and expand a PM/CM service line in the Power sector. You will drive strategic growth, engage high-level clients, and shape delivery across complex capital programs.

Success requires deep Power industry networks, proven PM/CM execution, and the ability to scale a new practice while aligning with Pickett and ESP’s broader service offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field.
• PE and PMP certifications preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of Power industry leadership experience.
• Proven ability to pursue, win, and deliver significant PM/CM or related engagements.
• Strong understanding of utility capital programs and delivery models.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a new strategic growth plan for PM/CM services within the Power Unit.
• Build and grow Pickett's PM/CM service offering for utility capital programs.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities with electric utilities and Power clients.
• Develop executive-level connections to position Pickett for utility capital programs.
• Lead capture, teaming, bids, and negotiations for PM/CM opportunities.
• Establish scalable PM/CM practice with strong staffing and processes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Business development

PM/CM knowledge

Power industry experience

Client engagement

Executive relationship-building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field

Job description

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Vice President, Program & Construction Management - Power

PWR-ENG Regular Full-Time Austin, TX, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 5709

About Us

Pickett, an ESP company, is a highly innovative surveying and engineering company with over 60 years of industry experience serving clients throughout the US and Caribbean.

At Pickett, we use the acronym S.O.L.V.E. to define our core values: Safety first, Outstanding service, Lasting relationships, Valued teamwork, and Engaged culture.

"We solve the problems that matter" and we are always looking to add passionate, motivated, and qualified individuals to our rapidly expanding team.

About the Role

As Vice President of Program & Construction Management - Power, you will be responsible for building and growing a new client-facing Program & Construction Management (PM/CM) service line within the Power Business Unit.

This role will lead the development and expansion of PM/CM services designed to support utility and Power industry clients in the planning, management, and execution of complex capital programs and projects.

This is a growth-focused leadership position that combines strategic business development, executive client engagement, market expansion, and operational leadership. The successful candidate will identify and develop new client opportunities, establish Pickett as a trusted PM/CM partner, and build the teams and delivery capabilities necessary to successfully execute client programs.

The ideal candidate is a proven Power industry leader with strong utility and industry relationships, extensive experience with Program Management, Construction Management, and alternative project delivery, and a demonstrated ability to translate market opportunities into sustainable business growth.

What You Will Be Doing

Strategic Growth & Business Development

• Develop and execute a new strategic growth plan for client-facing PM/CM services within the Power Business Unit.
• Build and grow Pickett's new PM/CM service offering to support utility capital programs and complex power infrastructure projects.
• Identify, develop, pursue, and secure new business opportunities with electric utilities and other Power industry clients, with an emphasis on long-term, programmatic relationships.
• Leverage established industry relationships and develop new executive-level connections to position Pickett for upcoming utility capital programs, infrastructure investments, and project delivery opportunities.
• Develop and maintain trusted relationships with utility executives, capital program leaders, engineering and construction leadership, procurement teams, and other key client decision-makers.
• Position Pickett as a trusted partner capable of supporting clients in the planning, management, oversight, and successful execution of complex capital programs.
• Lead capture and pursuit strategies for key PM/CM opportunities, including client positioning, teaming, go/no-go decisions, proposal strategy, presentations, negotiations, and contract development.
• Develop strategic partnerships and teaming relationships that expand Pickett's market presence, service capabilities, and ability to pursue larger and more complex engagements.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and introduce PM/CM services alongside Pickett's established engineering and technical service offerings.
• Evaluate emerging market opportunities, client delivery models, and geographic expansion strategies to support sustainable business growth.
• Monitor utility capital investment priorities, market trends, delivery models, competitor activity, and emerging client needs to identify opportunities for continued expansion of Pickett’s PM/CM services.

Practice Development & Organizational Leadership

• Build and lead a scalable PM/CM practice capable of supporting multiple utility clients, capital programs, and project portfolios.
• Build the organizational structure, staffing model, leadership, processes, systems, and procedures necessary to successfully deliver PM/CM services to clients.
• Recruit, develop, and retain experienced Program Management and Construction Management professionals as the client portfolio and practice grow.
• Establish consistent processes, systems, procedures, and performance expectations for delivering high-quality PM/CM services.
• Foster a culture of accountability, responsiveness, collaboration, safety, and exceptional client service.
• Serve as a senior leader within the Power Business Unit and collaborate across Pickett and the broader ESP organization to align growth initiatives and staffing resources for integrated service delivery.
• Serve as an executive-level point of contact for key clients and major PM/CM engagements.
• Provide strategic oversight of client programs and project delivery teams, ensuring alignment with client objectives, contractual commitments, and performance expectations.
• Work directly with clients to understand capital program priorities, resource requirements, project risks, delivery challenges, and long-term objectives.
• Develop customized solutions that help clients strengthen project execution, manage risk, improve visibility, and successfully deliver capital investments.
• Oversee the implementation of appropriate program and project management practices, including cost management, scheduling, project controls, risk management, change management, construction oversight, and performance reporting.
• Establish and maintain high standards for safety, quality, schedule performance, cost management, communication, and client satisfaction.
• Support resolution of significant project challenges, contractual matters, resource constraints, and other issues requiring executive leadership.
• Maintain strong client relationships that result in repeat business, expanded engagements, and long-term partnerships.

Business Operations & Financial Performance

• Establish and manage the PM/CM business plan, including revenue objectives, backlog development, staffing forecasts, and financial performance.
• Maintain visibility into the business development pipeline, anticipated awards, project backlog, resource requirements, and future growth opportunities.
• Develop pricing strategies, staffing approaches, and commercial structures that support competitive proposals and sustainable profitability.
• Monitor project financial performance, utilization, staffing efficiency, and overall practice profitability.
• Evaluate contract terms, delivery risks, and commercial commitments in coordination with appropriate organizational leadership.
• Provide regular reporting and strategic recommendations regarding practice performance, market opportunities, organizational needs, and growth initiatives.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field; advanced degree or MBA preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant Power industry experience, including significant leadership experience within a utility, engineering or consulting firm, EPC, contractor, or similar organization.
• Proven experience pursuing, winning, and/or delivering significant client-facing PM/CM, Design-Build, programmatic, or on-call utility engagements.
• Strong understanding of the electric utility industry, including utility organizations, capital programs, procurement processes, project delivery models, and the challenges associated with executing complex infrastructure programs.
• Established relationships within the Power industry and demonstrated success developing trusted relationships with senior utility, EPC, contractor, and industry leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to identify new opportunities, develop new clients, expand existing accounts, and translate market opportunities into sustainable revenue growth.
• Experience with RFQs, RFPs, MSAs, alternative delivery models, strategic teaming arrangements, and contract negotiations.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams and establish the operational capabilities necessary to successfully deliver client work and support business growth.
• Strong understanding of program and project controls, including cost, schedule, risk, change management, performance reporting, and resource planning.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience with pipeline management, forecasting, budgeting, staffing, and project financial performance.
• Excellent executive-level communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to balance strategic growth responsibilities with hands-on operational and client leadership as the practice develops.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Must be able to pass a drug screen, background check, and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the company’s driving policy.

What Success Looks Like

• Establishing Pickett as a recognized and trusted provider of PM/CM services to utility and Power industry clients.
• Developing a strong and sustainable pipeline of PM/CM, Design-Build, programmatic, and on-call opportunities.
• Establishing new executive-level client relationships and expanding existing relationships into broader, long-term program opportunities.
• Expanding Pickett's Power client base and geographic presence within strategic utility markets.
• Converting strategic opportunities into meaningful backlog and sustainable revenue growth.
• Building a scalable PM/CM organization with the leadership, experience, processes, and resources required to successfully deliver client programs.
• Establishing a financially successful and scalable practice with strong revenue growth, profitability, and operational performance.
• Creating opportunities to integrate PM/CM with Pickett’s engineering, survey, geospatial, siting, permitting, and other Power services to provide broader solutions to clients.
• Successfully delivering client programs with an emphasis on safety, quality, cost, schedule, communication, and client satisfaction.
• Developing long-term client relationships that lead to repeat work, expanded programs, and additional service opportunities.

So...Why Join Us?

You will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and directly contribute to our business. You will also have a very visible and tangible impact by solving real-world problems.

You will contribute significantly to the growth and development of our company while also continuing to be challenged and inspired along the way.

Pickett offers an excellent employee benefits package including:

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days)
• PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays
• VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date)
• Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days)
• Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (Employer Paid)