Project Manager (K-12 Land Development)

Primary Areas Of Focus

• Professional Development
• Client Management
• Resource Management
• Proposals & Invoice Management
• Project Lifecycle

Core Responsibilities

• Manage, lead, and oversee all team activities, including production documents, client management, internal team management, and project financials.
• Develop project timelines, including phases, completion dates, and milestones, and establish workflow and project plan.
• Responsible for preparing contracts and proposals, including establishing the scope of work, schedules, and fees.
• Prepare and submit proposals to clients after SPM review; participate in new project interviews.
• Lead project kickoff, coordination, and closeout meetings with internal team members and external design partners (Architects, MEP, etc.).
• Serve as the primary client contact (School Districts, Charter Organizations) to understand goals, ensure the design meets their needs and specifications, and represent the client in public meetings.
• Monitor project health by reviewing project plans, design, budgets, billings, schedule, and progress.
• Delegate project tasks to team members promptly, provide clear direction on tasks and expectations on deliverables.
• Consult collaboratively with the external project team—specifically Architects and Landscape Architects—to achieve project goals.
• Responsible for invoice management, including change orders and additional services.
• Responsible for managing permit submittal processes and coordination with review authorities (Municipalities, County, State Fire Marshal, etc.).
• Provide quality assurance and control; provide direction to technical staff on project issues and general engineering principles.
• Oversee the technical engineering components of the project, including site grading, drainage, utilities, and off-site improvements.
• Increase the team's overall effectiveness by developing staff and aligning individual team member strengths with appropriate project tasks.
• Balance staffing and workload through collaboration with the team and SPM.
• Initiate lunch and learns for sharing new technology, school-specific design standards, or best practices.
• Responsible for completing personal timecards accurately and reviewing/approving associate timecards on time.
• Actively involved in developing future business and building relationships with existing school district clients.
• Communicate effectively internally and externally (inclusive of clients, sub-consultants, and educational agencies).
• Participate in the execution of strategic initiatives and evaluate company practices for continuous improvement.
• Be an ambassador for the firm at industry events and conferences (e.g., AASBO, AIA, or school board associations).
• Achieve a 60-70% Billable Utilization Rate.
• May manage $500k-$1.8M annually in projects and up to 4-8 staff members.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or related Engineering field.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License required.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with land development projects, with a significant portion dedicated to K-12 campus design or educational facilities.
• Proven record of success managing public and private school projects, including familiarity with student drop-off/pick-up stacking requirements and sports facility design.
• Professional knowledge of Microsoft Office, Civil 3D, Bluebeam, and Pipe Networks.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills; high level of emotional intelligence with the ability to interface with school boards and district facility managers.
• Ability to closely monitor project progress from a financial and schedule front with an eye for identifying scope creep.
• Strong understanding of civil engineering design processes, plan set preparation, and obtaining agency approvals (including jurisdictional requirements for school sites).
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a complex matrix environment.
• Valid driver's license and automobile insurance.