Director/Program Director-Construction

Parsons invites you to imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by a leadership vision that values people, embraces agility, and fosters growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential and redefine what’s possible.

Construction Management

• Provide oversight of construction activities for water and wastewater treatment plants, collection and distribution systems, pipelines, pump stations, reservoirs, lift stations, storage facilities, and related infrastructure.
• Review contractor performance, construction schedules, payment applications, change orders, claims, safety performance, and quality compliance.
• Support constructability reviews, procurement strategies, bid evaluations, and contract negotiations.
• Manage construction risks and facilitate timely resolution of field, contractual, and technical issues.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure alignment with project safety plans and corporate standards.
• Support development and implementation of alternative delivery methods such as design‑bid‑build, design‑build, construction manager at risk, progressive design‑build, and public‑private partnerships where appropriate.

Program Delivery

• Provide executive leadership for large, complex water and wastewater programs across Texas.
• Establish program vision, goals, governance structures, delivery strategies, and performance objectives.
• Direct planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout of infrastructure programs.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contractual, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Lead program controls including scope, schedule, cost, risk, change management, quality, and document control.
• Oversee coordination of engineering, construction management, program management, environmental, permitting, procurement, and commissioning teams.
• Identify and resolve project and program‑level issues before they affect cost, schedule, quality, or client satisfaction.
• Implement best practices, standardized processes, and performance metrics across the program portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including environmental, utility, procurement, and construction requirements.

Client and Stakeholder Relationships

• Serve as senior point of contact for municipalities, water authorities, regional agencies, utilities, industrial clients, and other public‑sector entities.
• Build and maintain trusted, long‑term relationships with client executives, elected officials, board members, regulators, contractors, consultants, and community stakeholders.
• Lead executive‑level client meetings, program reviews, strategic planning sessions, and issue‑resolution discussions.
• Anticipate client needs and proactively identify opportunities to improve program outcomes.
• Develop communications strategies that clearly convey program status, risks, financial performance, accomplishments, and upcoming priorities.
• Represent Parsons at industry events, professional associations, community meetings, and client‑facing forums throughout Texas.

Business Development and Growth

• Develop and execute strategic growth plans for water and wastewater services across Texas.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new program management, engineering, construction management, and infrastructure opportunities.
• Lead client account planning and maintain an active pipeline of potential pursuits.
• Develop capture strategies, pursuit plans, teaming arrangements, and win strategies.
• Participate in proposal development, including technical approaches, staffing plans, project understanding, pricing strategies, presentations, and interviews.
• Establish and maintain relationships with owners, utilities, engineering firms, contractors, and industry partners.
• Monitor market trends, capital improvement programs, funding opportunities, regulatory developments, and infrastructure investment priorities.
• Position Parsons for long‑term program and project opportunities through differentiated technical, management, and delivery solutions.

Team and Operational Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, and lead high‑performing program and project teams.
• Establish clear expectations for accountability, collaboration, communication, and professional development.
• Coordinate with regional, national, and corporate leadership to align resources and business objectives.
• Manage staffing plans, utilization, financial performance, and resource requirements across the program.
• Foster an inclusive work environment that values safety, integrity, innovation, teamwork, and client service.
• Support succession planning and development of future program and project leaders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Typically 20+ years of progressive experience in water/wastewater infrastructure, program management, construction management, engineering delivery, or a related field.
• Significant experience leading major water and wastewater programs for municipal, regional, state, industrial, or utility clients.
• Demonstrated delivery of complex capital improvement programs involving multiple projects, stakeholders, funding sources, and delivery methods.
• Extensive construction management experience, including contractor oversight, contract administration, schedule management, cost control, claims, change management, and quality assurance.
• Proven success managing senior‑level client relationships and serving as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrated business development and capture experience, including leading pursuits, developing proposals, and securing new work.
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment facilities, conveyance systems, pump stations, pipelines, storage, resiliency, and related infrastructure.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and geographically dispersed project personnel.
• Strong financial management skills, including budget development, forecasting, earned value, profitability, and performance reporting.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to travel throughout Texas and occasionally to other locations as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, preferably in Texas.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Design‑Build Institute of America certification or comparable alternative delivery experience.
• Certified Construction Manager certification.
• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Experience with Texas municipalities, regional water authorities, utility districts, state agencies, or other public‑sector clients.
• Familiarity with Texas regulatory and permitting requirements related to water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Experience with major program funding mechanisms, including state revolving funds, federal infrastructure programs, grants, bonds, and public financing.
• Experience delivering programs using alternative delivery methods such as design‑build, CMAR, progressive design‑build, or public‑private partnerships.
• Established professional network within the Texas water, wastewater, infrastructure, and construction markets.

Core Competencies

• Strategic leadership – ability to set direction and translate organizational goals into successful program outcomes.
• Client service orientation – commitment to developing trusted, long‑term client partnerships.
• Business acumen – ability to manage program performance while identifying opportunities for growth.
• Construction expertise – strong understanding of field execution, contractor management, and delivery risk.
• Communication – ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, executives, public officials, and community stakeholders.
• Collaboration – ability to lead across disciplines, organizations, and delivery partners.
• Accountability – consistent focus on safety, quality, ethics, financial performance, and commitments.
• Adaptability – ability to manage changing priorities, complex issues, and high‑visibility programs.
• Integrity – demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and professional standards.

Work Environment

This position is based in Houston, Texas, with responsibility for programs and client relationships throughout the state. The role includes a combination of office, field, and client‑site work, regular travel to project locations, meetings, presentations, and industry events.

Pay

Salary Range: $157,500.00 – $283,500.00

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Flexible work schedules
• Holiday schedule