Project Manager, Development

Plains is an industry‑leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing, and marketing solutions for crude oil. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Plains operates an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage, and gathering assets across the United States and Canada. The company is seeking a Project Manager for its Midland, Texas office. This regular‑full‑time role reports to the Senior Manager, works closely with Plains’ business units to define project scope, develop preliminary designs, cost estimates, schedules, risk registers, and execution plans, and provides technical consultation to ensure alignment with operational, industry, and regulatory requirements. Limited travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Business Development and Execution to establish scope and scope alternatives for projects in the initial phase that meet customer needs.
• Facilitate project planning sessions to solicit input from departments within Plains and incorporate that input into project scope and scope alternatives for estimates.
• Develop unclassified estimates, associated risks, and schedules to support new business opportunities, incorporating lessons learned into estimate development.
• Support Business Development in achieving a go/no‑go decision with executives.
• Provide Class estimate development services to the Expansion Projects Team, solicit input from non‑technical teams, develop associated risk registers, schedules, and basis of estimates, and review Class estimates with feedback.
• Utilize the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) on estimates to measure completeness of project scope definition.
• Maintain a project benchmarking database, assess cost and schedule trends, and translate findings into action items to ensure ongoing project competitiveness.
• Perform contingency modeling on Class estimates and support the use of escalation tools.
• Maintain a project portfolio prioritization model to support recommendations for projects that align with Plains’ strategic priorities.
• Ensure project designs and constructed assets comply with regulatory requirements, specifications, and operating practices.
• Scrutinize scope and design change requests for validity, justification, and impact on EBITDA, reliability, and operations, obtaining approvals for deviations.
• Provide project services such as Project Lookbacks, Contingency & Escalation Modeling, and Construction Quality Management System (CQMS) session facilitation.
• Develop and maintain Plains’ cost estimating practices and basis, establishing industry benchmarks.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in an applicable discipline; professional engineering designation and eligibility for registration in Texas.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in pipeline and oil or gas processing, including design, construction, and project management.
• Familiarity with labor, safety, and environmental regulations; working knowledge of U.S. codes and standards for pipelines and hydrocarbon‑processing facilities.
• Knowledge of AACE and PMI best practices in estimating and project management.
• Knowledge of cost estimating systems, benchmarking tools, and risk modeling practices.
• Strong leadership, decision‑making, conflict resolution, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Project and other project scheduling tools.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize workload, and coordinate diverse stakeholders and contractors.
• Cleared criminal‑history (background) check and satisfactory reference checks.
• Compliance with company Drug & Alcohol Policy, including pre‑employment testing.
• Valid state driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and insurers.
• Authorized to work in the U.S.; position not eligible for employment‑based visa sponsorship.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, prescription, and vision coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Paid time off.
• Additional employee programs and competitive compensation.