Water Business Group Project Controls Business Class Lead

HDR; Colorado; Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement savings plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Project Controls Business Class Lead for the Water Business Group in the United States. This role involves developing and implementing project controls practices for various water-related projects. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of experience in Project Controls, a bachelor’s degree, and strong leadership skills. Benefits include a comprehensive package with medical, dental, and retirement savings plan, with an expected compensation range of $116,000–$231,000 based on qualifications.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience supporting large and small Project Controls teams.
• Experience in scheduling, document control, cost management, and PMIS implementation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls practices and ensure alignment with Quality Management System.
• Manage and direct project controls specialists to implement project controls plans.
• Collaborate with program managers to develop project control plans.

Skills

Leadership skills

Team management

Communication skills

Cost management

Scheduling

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Projects

Deltek Acumen Fuse

Job description

Overview

HDR is seeking a Project Controls Business Class Lead for the Water Business Group. The role involves developing and implementing project controls practices on projects and programs to meet scope, schedule, and budget performance. It focuses on water‑related projects such as wastewater, dams and levees, drinking water, and other water‑based projects.

Primary Responsibilities

• Implement continuous improvement and quality into the project controls practice in alignment with the Quality Management System.
• Lead the introduction of effective and efficient project controls approaches and technologies across the Water Business Group.
• Collaborate with other Business Group Directors of Project Controls and Program Management to align best practices and prioritize initiatives.
• Coordinate identification and assignment of appropriate project controls staffing for projects during pursuit and execution phases.
• Monitor performance of staff and projects, helping to implement measures that drive successful project performance and maintain positive client relations.
• Support career development for project controls personnel through mentoring and training opportunities.
• Strengthen the project controls practice across all business groups through knowledge sharing and fostering a community of practice.
• Coordinate with other Regional Project Controls Leads and the broader practice for workshare and knowledge sharing.
• Assist in recruitment and onboarding of new project controls personnel.
• Network with corporate Project Delivery Services to leverage best practices and resources from other business groups.
• Work with other project team members—including technical staff, cross‑sector staff, field services and commissioning services—to identify where project controls services are required.
• Develop and maintain a project controls practice group within WBG and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
• Serve as a knowledge hub for project controls trends and tools that make project controls more versatile and efficient.
• Grow the Water Business Group project controls bench strength by recruiting or identifying strategic partners.
• Identify and mentor young professionals with an interest in project controls.
• Provide webinar and outreach to internal staff to elevate WBG’s project controls acumen.
• Support pursuit teams for program management and construction management.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Project Work

• Serve as a Senior Project Controls Business Class Lead for program management projects, establishing frameworks to manage scope, budget, and schedule.
• Manage and direct a team of project controls specialists and document controls specialists to implement the project controls plan.
• Collaborate with the program manager and client to provide a project control plan scaled for the execution and size of the program.
• Work closely with the PMIS team to recommend technology solutions that manage data and information for stakeholders.
• Counsel the Program Manager and team on program trends, deficiencies, and mitigation recommendations.
• Provide comprehensive summaries of project performance to HDR’s internal team and clients.
• Establish processes and procedures—such as templates, WBS structure, progress KPIs—to improve quality and efficiency.
• Facilitate multi‑company interactive planning sessions such as schedule workshops.
• Coordinate with teams regarding the interface with construction and engineering schedules.
• Interact with engineering discipline leads and construction managers to understand schedule‑impacting issues and conflicts.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience supporting large and small Project Controls teams.
• Considerable experience in all aspects of Water Projects and Programs.
• Certifications including PE, PMP, PSP, CM, EVP, PMI‑SP, CST.
• Experience implementing and supporting PMIS solutions for small and large projects.
• Experience in scheduling, document control, cost management, cost estimating, claims and forensic analysis, and PMIS implementation/dashboarding.
• Familiarity with estimating across delivery methods (DBB, DB, EPCm, PDB, IPD, CMAR).
• Strong leadership skills with experience building cohesive team culture and managing geographically dispersed members.
• Comfortable presenting to clients and stakeholders.
• Proficient with Microsoft Projects, Primavera P6, Deltek Acumen Fuse, and familiarity with Linear Scheduling software such as TiLos and Synchro.
• Experience with SharePoint, eBuilder, ProCore, Prism, Unifier, QuickBase, InEight, PMWeb.
• Familiarity with AACEi, PMI, and PMBOK industry best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 10+ years of project controls work on engineering and construction projects, including planning, estimating, forecasting, scheduling, cost control, and project reporting.
• Ability to manage proposal preparation, contract review, negotiation, and client relationship for medium to large EPC projects.
• Strong decision‑making, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Commitment to active participation in an employee‑owned culture.
• Visa sponsorship not available for this position.

Benefits

HDR provides a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. Expected compensation range is $116,000–$231,000 (depending on skills, experience, education, and location).

Locations

Primary location: Omaha, Nebraska. Other potential locations include Round Rock, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Doral, Florida; and numerous other U.S. cities as listed in the original posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HDR is committed to employment equity and is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of criminal history or records.