Project Manager - Vertical

Job Duties

• Deliver assigned capital projects from pre-planning through construction and close-out, ensuring alignment with approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards using several delivery methods.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage project scopes of work, schedules, resource plans, and cost estimates in coordination with clients, consultants, and project teams.
• Lead consultant procurement efforts, including contract negotiation, staffing coordination, budget oversight, and ongoing consultant performance management.
• Manage and coordinate internal and external project delivery teams to produce final deliverables, including engineering reports and constructible plan sets.
• Ensure all project deliverables meet client expectations, departmental standards, regulatory requirements, and permitting guidelines.
• Implement proactive risk management strategies to identify, mitigate, and resolve issues impacting project scope, schedule, budget, or performance.
• Coordinate closely with CIP Inspections & Quality Assurance staff, inspectors, design engineers, consultants, and contractors throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Conduct pre-construction site walks and field coordination to resolve design issues, utility conflicts, and construction-related challenges.
• Review and recommend approval of change orders related to changed conditions, constructability, cost reasonableness, and viable technical solutions.
• Maintain oversight of assigned project portfolios; provide regular updates, reports, and briefings to senior management, client stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Lead and mentor assigned staff, including Project Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Graduate Engineers, consultants, and subject matter experts; oversee training, workload distribution, performance, and adherence to County policies and procedures.
• Cookordination effectively with County departments, elected officials, external agencies, and the public to support transparent and successful project delivery.
• Support emergency response, disaster recovery, and continuity of operations efforts as required.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or similar fields.
• Experience: Minimum of 4 years of proven experience managing vertical projects; candidates should submit a list of projects and/or a portfolio of representative work when applying.
• Licensure: A valid driver’s license (Texas upon hire).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Demonstrated ability to lead negotiations with consultants, regulatory agencies, and diverse stakeholders to secure resources, resolve issues, and support successful project outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of building materials, systems, and construction methods, with the ability to evaluate constructability, quality, and long-term operational impacts.
• Working knowledge of applicable building codes, permitting processes, and regulatory requirements related to vertical construction projects.
• Proficiency in reviewing and coordinating construction drawings and technical documents; familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) and related project documentation tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively coordinate across multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze construction plans, cost estimates, schedules, and technical specifications to support informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and team-building skills, with a practical, solution-oriented approach to project delivery.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to changing project conditions, and maintain high performance in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity Of Operations Requirement

• In accordance with Harris County’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols.
• The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:
  • Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
  • Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
  • Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
  • Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

Preferences

• Education: Hold an advanced degree in architecture/engineering from an accredited university.
• Experience: Commercial construction experience in the field.
• Familiarity with the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and federal agency/jurisdiction review.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): LEED-APPMPLicensed by the Texas State Board of Architectural Examiners, OR, licensed by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, or have the ability to transfer license within 6 months of arriving in Texas.