Head of Engineering and Project Management

Position Type: Full-time

This is an exciting opportunity to join a company that works with Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Government agencies as well as private clients throughout the United States and internationally. We are a consulting firm specializing in construction management services and wastewater operations and maintenance. We currently have an opening for a Project Manager to lead and collaborate with our team on projects within the Engineering division and cross-functionally with other areas of the business.

The Project Manager will provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers by coordinating activities associated with the Engineering division. This position manages a portfolio of construction management projects from pre-award planning and proposal support through project execution and closeout. The Project Manager is responsible for supporting field personnel, maintaining customer relationships, and managing project scope, schedule, budget, documentation, compliance, and financial performance.

Project Manager Responsibilities:

• Partner with Business Development and Talent Acquisition to evaluate opportunities, identify qualified Construction Management Representative (CMR) candidates, and support proposal development.
• Prepare project rate sheets, bid inputs, labor estimates, Other Direct Cost budgets, and supporting cost documentation.
• Review scopes of services, plans, specifications, bid sheets, and customer requirements to identify deliverables, staffing needs, risks, and project start-up requirements.
• Develop project logistics assumptions for lodging, per diem or stipends, transportation, mobilization and demobilization, utilities, communications, equipment, printing, office space, and other project-specific needs.
• Prepare or coordinate professional and accurate quotations and cost inputs that align with solicitation requirements and protect project margins.
• Participate in customer interviews and prepare CMR candidates for project-specific technical interviews.
• Initiate personnel and project set-up documentation following contract award and coordinate onboarding and mobilization.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, Information Technology, Accounting, and other internal teams to establish charge lines, timekeeping, invoicing, equipment, access, and project records.
• Lead internal project kickoff meetings and confirm contract dates, staffing dates, labor categories, invoicing requirements, project controls, and communication protocols.
• Conduct technical and project-specific onboarding for CMRs, including scope, plans and specifications, reporting expectations, project systems, customer communication, and required deliverables.
• Arrange project logistics, including travel reservations, lodging, vehicles, utilities, internet access, office or trailer needs, printing, equipment, supplies, and PPE, as required by the contract.
• Attend or support preconstruction meetings and ensure the project team is prepared for Notice to Proceed and field mobilization.
• Create and maintain project files, communication plans, deliverables lists, assignments, tracking tools, workflows, and stakeholder access in approved systems.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to CMRs, field engineers, construction managers, and other assigned project personnel on Federal projects nationwide.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for field personnel and as a key customer contact for project delivery matters.
• Maintain regular engagement with assigned CMRs and ensure they have the information, tools, coverage, and support needed to perform successfully.
• Attend project progress meetings and support agenda development, meeting facilitation, minutes, action-item tracking, and stakeholder follow-up as needed.
• Review project records and field reports for completeness, timeliness, quality, and appropriate escalation of contractor quality or performance concerns.
• Assist with submittals, Requests for Information, Division 01 requirements, schedule analyses, change documentation, Independent Government Estimates, cost analyses, punch lists, and closeout activities as required.
• Arrange qualified coverage during CMR leave or project absences, including direct coverage by the Project Manager when appropriate.
• Create and execute project work plans and revise them to address changes in requirements, scope, staffing, schedule, risk, or customer direction.
• Manage project budgets, Other Direct Costs, burn rates, job costs, labor utilization, and financial performance; Review and approve timecards, leave requests, expense reports, and project-related purchasing documentation in accordance with company requirements.
• Coordinate monthly invoicing with Accounting, validate supporting time and cost documentation, review draft invoices, and obtain customer approval for submission.
• Maintain complete, organized, and auditable project documentation, including key decisions, customer requests, revisions, approvals, deliverables, and historical cost records.
• Provide timely written communication to executive leadership, contracting personnel, customers, and staff regarding project status, risks, decisions, and required actions.
• Evaluate and recommend changes that materially affect project scope, budget, schedule, staffing, or delivery approach.
• Build productive and professional relationships with customers, CMRs, contractors, designers, and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate cross-functional team efforts, resolve operational issues, and make timely decisions necessary for successful project completion.
• Contribute project knowledge, lessons learned, and relevant project details to past-performance and proposal resources.
• Provide ongoing coaching and support to assigned project personnel and complete required employee reviews and related documentation.
• Plan proactively for CMR reassignment and future availability as projects approach completion.
• Coordinate final invoicing, deliverables, records archiving, release documentation, system archiving, and administrative closeout.
• Complete final past-performance updates and prepare draft contractor-response information for customer performance evaluations for management review.
• Strong construction project management skills across the full project life cycle, including planning, mobilization, execution, controls, and closeout.
• Ability to read and interpret scopes of work, contracts, technical specifications, plans, drawings, and construction documentation.
• Working knowledge of construction change management, estimating, cost analysis, Independent Government Estimates, scheduling, submittals, RFIs, quality documentation, and closeout.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project estimation, budgeting, financial analysis, and cost-control skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, negotiation, facilitation, and customer service skills.
• Sound judgment, initiative, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving risks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Teams, SharePoint, and project or construction management platforms; working knowledge of AutoCAD is beneficial.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Architectural, Structural, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field.

• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, general contracting, construction management, or a comparable technical project environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing project scope, schedule, budget, documentation, stakeholders, and field personnel.
• PMP/PMI certification preferred.
• MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
• Experience supporting Federal construction management contracts and geographically dispersed field teams preferred.

This position operates onsite in Rapid City, SD, primarily in a professional office environment using standard office equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers, and smartphones.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work - Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday with flexible scheduling options. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel - Occasional project-related travel may be required for preconstruction meetings, field support, temporary coverage, customer engagement, or other project needs.

Three options for medical plans plus dental and vision insurance offerings

• Health Savings Account option
• Company life insurance options for you and your family
• Short-term and long-term disability offerings
• Generous PTO, paid Federal holidays, and sick leave
• Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Project Solutions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.