Refinery Project Manager

We are seeking a highly accomplished Project Manager IV to lead routine, multi-disciplinary engineering capital projects from initial planning through final closeout. This role requires a strategic professional with a robust mechanical or civil/structural engineering background to oversee execution across key initiatives, including pump replacements, equipment upgrades, and piping installations. The successful candidate will drive project execution, maintain financial and operational rigor, and ensure cross-functional alignment. This long-term contract position offers strong multi-year potential beyond the initial two-year assignment.

Core Responsibilities

• Assemble and direct a full-time, multi-disciplinary team to successfully execute project objectives.
• Oversee the formulation, implementation, and management of the Project Execution Plan.
• Lead the Front-End Loading (FEL) process, conduct stage-gate reviews, and secure executive management approvals.
• Formulate and execute the Contracting Strategy effort, managing contractor evaluation, bidding, and award processes.
• Direct project cost control, scheduling, procurement, and billing/payables functions.
• Evaluate, interview, and approve key personnel submitted by contractor organizations.
• Interpret contract specifications and direct contractor performance to maximize efficiency, manage expenditures, and minimize claims or change orders.
• Establish project facilities at both field sites and contractor office locations.
• Establish safety standards, enforce compliance, and cultivate a zero-incident safety culture across project teams.
• Engage plant Operations and Maintenance personnel to ensure clear operational alignment and accountability.
• Enforce rigorous schedule development, monitoring, and controls to drive overall project performance.
• Maintain cost estimate accuracy and generate precise monthly cash flow forecasts.
• Implement management programs for vendors, fabricators, and specialized subcontractors.
• Enforce adherence to quality management processes and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) standards.
• Establish, secure approval for, and monitor project Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics.
• Formulate and maintain a comprehensive project Risk Management Plan.
• Prepare and deliver strategic project status presentations to executive leadership and key internal stakeholders.
• Execute timely and efficient project closeout procedures in accordance with organizational standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive project management experience within the oil and gas or petrochemical industry.
• Minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience acting as a Lead Project Manager with sole project accountability.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 or more years of project management experience within refining or petrochemical operating environments.
• 10 or more years of experience serving as a Lead Project Manager with sole accountability for multi-disciplinary capital projects.
• Advanced working knowledge of industry recommended practices, design methodologies, and QA/QC requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, industry standards, and Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements.
• Demonstrated track record managing large-scale engineering and construction contractors and concurrent project teams.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) credential.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Employment Details

• Location: On-site / Field Office
• Employment Type: Contract (2-Year Initial Duration with Multi-Year Extension Potential)