Senior Project Manager

About the role

We are seeking a confident and motivated Senior Project Manager to lead and manage projects of varying scope and complexity within our Engineering Services Group. This role will be responsible for managing client relationships, directing project teams, and ensuring successful delivery of projects on time and within budget. The ideal candidate will be both a strategic leader and a hands-on problem solver with proven experience working in engineering consulting and successfully delivering projects. As an Ayres Project Manager, you will work closely with our highly experienced municipal and site engineering staff in our Eau Claire, Wisconsin and St. Paul, Minnesota office to deliver technically sound, sustainable solutions to municipal, state, federal, and private-sector clients. Join Ayres – a USA TODAY Top Workplace recognized in both 2025 and 2026 – where people-first leadership, collaboration, and professional growth create an environment where great teams do their best work.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering projects from concept to completion, ensuring technical excellence and client satisfaction.
• Act as a strategic partner to clients, building trusted relationships and uncovering opportunities to add value.
• Manage the phases of project delivery: initiating, planning, execution, monitoring & control, and closing.
• Oversee project execution, ensuring compliance with contracts and quality standards, and delivering projects within defined financial performance metrics.
• Partner closely with technical leads to develop a project plan that identifies the resources and time needed to successfully deliver the scope of work.
• Identify and mitigate project risks, proactively addressing challenges and developing mitigation strategies.
• Drive project delivery innovation through new technologies, ways of working, sustainable practices, and creative solutions.
• Serve as primary client contact and coordinate with internal experts and external stakeholders.
• Support business development, including proposals, fee estimates, presentations, and marketing materials.
• Negotiate contracts and change orders within established limits.
• Identify and pursue new project opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• Provide supervision or mentoring for less experienced project managers.
• Champion accountability, collaboration