Program Manager

Job Title: Lead Program Manager - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Job Description

This role leads the development, construction, and transition to operation of a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility, including approximately two billion cubic feet of storage and associated systems to pretreat, liquefy, store, and vaporize LNG in Rock County, Wisconsin. The Lead Program Manager oversees the full project lifecycle, applying established project management methodologies to deliver scope, schedule, and cost objectives while effectively managing risk. This is a hybrid position based out of the Madison area, with relocation support available and the potential for contract extension and continued work on additional facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of a new LNG facility, from early development through construction and transition into operation.

• Apply established project management methodologies and processes, based on PMI standards, to achieve scope, schedule, and cost objectives while proactively managing project risks.

• Support program and project governance reviews, ensuring appropriate oversight and compliance with internal standards and regulatory expectations.

• Define specific business needs, project objectives, and deliverables, and use project management tools to establish and manage project budgets, resource plans, schedules, performance measurements, and milestones.

• Conduct or oversee cost/benefit analyses to confirm project feasibility and alignment with business objectives.

• Determine appropriate project resourcing and staffing, including identifying required skill sets, levels of expertise, and strategies to reduce overall project risk.

• Provide owner's representative construction management oversight for a new LNG plant, ensuring the work of contractors and partners aligns with specifications, quality standards, and safety expectations.

• Coordinate closely with the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, Owner's Engineer (OE), Engineer of Record (EOR), and other stakeholders to align design, construction, and commissioning activities.

• Work with the owner's engineer to develop drawing packages for bid and support the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the EPC contract.

• Prepare and manage project-related contracts in conjunction with sourcing personnel, including drafting RFPs, evaluating vendor responses, participating in negotiations, interpreting contract language, and overseeing financial aspects.

• Ensure contracted work is completed to specification, within budget, and on schedule as defined in project contracts and plans.

• Develop and execute communication and stakeholder management plans, including preparing and delivering regular project status updates, risk reports, and progress communications in agreed formats and frequencies.

• Ensure training needs are identified and met for project team members and end users of the facility and associated systems.

• Oversee the transition from project to operations, ensuring operational teams are properly trained, work orders are closed, financials are reconciled, documentation is complete, and deliverables are handed over smoothly.

• Apply organizational change management methodology within the project context to support adoption of new systems and processes.

• Oversee and coordinate civil, mechanical, and electrical construction activities, with a particular focus on mechanical systems including new pipe and pipe system installations.

• Provide direction and oversight to on-site construction management and quality assurance personnel to ensure adherence to design, quality, and safety standards.

• Collaborate with legal, engineering, cost control, scheduling, and other support functions that engage with the project at various phases.

• Utilize computer software for communication, documentation, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and project management tools.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive working environment and work effectively within a diverse project team under the direction of senior leadership.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience leading LNG projects, including development, construction, and transition to operation.

• 15 years of professional experience in program or project management, managing multiple large projects.

• 5-20 years of power plant construction experience, including taking large multi-discipline projects from inception through commissioning and into operation.

• Hands-on experience with LNG plant builds, including conversion or new-build facilities.

• Strong mechanical construction experience, particularly in new construction installation of pipe and pipe systems.

• Demonstrated experience overseeing civil, mechanical, and electrical construction activities on large industrial or power projects.

• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in project management, engineering, or a related field.

• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

• Demonstrated ability to apply project management methodologies based on PMI standards to manage scope, schedule, cost, and risk.

• Experience managing contracts, including preparing RFPs, evaluating proposals, participating in negotiations, and overseeing contract execution and finances.

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for effective interaction with internal teams, contractors, and stakeholders.

• Proficiency in computer software such as email, word processing, spreadsheets, and project management tools.

• Ability to work effectively in a diverse work environment and within a cross-functional project team.

• Ability to perform work under the direction of a manager or director while independently driving project outcomes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience serving as an owner's representative providing construction management oversight for large power or LNG projects.

• Background in power plant environments, including familiarity with natural gas and LNG systems.

• Experience working directly with utilities or in utility-scale infrastructure projects.

• Experience collaborating with Owner's Engineer (OE), Engineer of Record (EOR), and EPC contractors on complex industrial projects.

• Exposure to or experience in quality assurance or quality management on construction projects.

• Familiarity with organizational change management practices within the context of large capital projects.

• Ability to develop and manage stakeholder communication plans and governance reporting structures.

• Experience working on long-duration, multi-year capital projects with phased scopes and evolving stakeholder needs.

• Willingness and ability to relocate to or regularly work from the Madison, Wisconsin area, with periodic travel to project sites in Rock County as required.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid work model, with an expectation to work from the Madison-area office approximately three days per week and spend time on-site at the LNG facility as construction and commissioning activities progress. Relocation assistance and, where applicable, per diem support may be available once on-site presence is required. The project team typically consists of 10-15 professionals, including a contract administrator, cost control specialist, scheduler, engineers, an on-site construction manager, a quality assurance specialist, and legal and other support personnel who engage as needed throughout the project lifecycle. You will work closely with an Owner's Engineer to develop bid packages and with an EPC contractor during execution. The environment is a mix of office-based planning and documentation work and field-based oversight of civil, mechanical, and electrical construction activities at a large LNG facility. Standard business attire is generally expected in the office, while appropriate safety and protective gear is required when visiting or working on the construction site. The project is anticipated to span approximately four years, with opportunities to transition to additional plants or sites as future projects move forward, offering long-term continuity for high-performing team members.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Madison, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $90.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Madison,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 23, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

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