Civil Engineering - Senior Project Manager

About the role

The Senior Project Manager is a key leader within the Civil Engineering Department, responsible for overseeing a sub department of Project Managers, engineers, designers, and technical staff. This role ensures operational excellence, technical quality, project profitability, and staff development across multiple concurrent engineering projects. The Senior PM serves as a strategic partner to the Director, driving project delivery, client satisfaction, business development, and continuous improvement efforts.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Leads a civil engineering sub department, ensuring high-quality work, efficient operations, and strong team performance.
• Manages workload distribution, resource allocation, and staffing forecasts across projects and teams.
• Serves as a senior technical authority, providing guidance, reviews, and solutions for engineering challenges.
• Establishes and enforces department standards, workflows, and quality control procedures.
• Mentors and guides PMs and civil engineering staff in career development and skills enhancement.
• Oversees a portfolio of civil engineering projects, ensuring delivery that aligns with client expectations, technical requirements, budget, and schedule.
• Supports Project Managers in managing scope changes, risk mitigation, project planning, and conflict resolution.
• Reviews and approves project plans, budgets, schedules, and technical deliverables prior to submittal.
• Maintains strong documentation practices and consistency across all team projects.
• Maintains strong financial performance, invoicing, profitability, and backlog to meet departmental targets.
• Provides advanced technical insight on civil site development, stormwater design, utility design, grading, permitting, and related engineering disciplines.
• Ensures compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and industry standards.
• Conducts technical reviews for engineering plans, reports, and specifications.
• Guides and approves complex design concepts, calculations, and project solutions.
• Serves as a senior client liaison, managing high value relationships and maintaining consistent communication with key stakeholders.
• Supports and leads proposal development, presentations, and interviews for major project pursuits.
• Identifies new project opportunities and assists Director with revenue growth strategies.
• Ensures exceptional client satisfaction and helps resolve escalated project concerns.
• Collaborates with Directors and senior leadership to support companywide project delivery strategies and operational goals.
• Contributes to policy development, process improvements, and the implementation of new tools and systems.
• Ensures the sub department’s alignment with company mission, values, and quality standards.
• Tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepares reports on departmental performance.

  Required Skills And Abilities

  • Demonstrated leadership and team building skills with the ability to manage and motivate a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Advanced knowledge of civil engineering design, construction documents, and regulatory permitting.
  • Strong budgeting, forecasting, and project financial management capabilities.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
  • Hightly organized, efficient, and detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and delegate effectively.
  • Proficiency in industry standard software, including Civil 3D, AutoCAD, Revit, MS Project, MS Word and Excel, and Hydroflow or equivalent drainage/hydrology software.

  Education And Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (Master’s preferred).
  • Minimum of 10–15 years of civil engineering experience, including significant project management responsibilities.
  • Prior experience supervising teams of Project Managers and engineers required.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) licensure required.
  • Experience leading complex or large-scale civil/site development projects.