Sr. Project Manager

About the Role

The Senior Project Manager (PM) leads project teams and plans, directs, and coordinates activities of large-scale, energy efficiency, capital improvement, and major maintenance-focused construction projects supporting large energy asset operations. Ensures projects are completed safely, with high quality, on-time, and on or under budget. Manages all aspects of project phases from conceptual through pre-construction to completion.

Acts as the primary liaison with clients, plant operations and maintenance staff, and supports the development of subcontract and procurement documentation, including scope of work, equipment/material lists, and specifications. Negotiates subcontract and procurement scope, terms, and conditions. Maintains and monitors safe working conditions, identifies and corrects unsafe work areas, and enforces safety compliance.

Typical projects include plant improvements for efficiency and reliability, infrastructure failure repairs (e.g., steam system breakdowns due to weather events), and coordination with contractors, engineers, and customers for equipment replacement and outage staging.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review project schedules, cost estimations, bills of materials, budgets, scopes of work, and supplier quotes.
• Lead, plan, direct, and coordinate all project activities to ensure goals and objectives are achieved within established timeframes and budget constraints across disciplines, including clients, vendors/contractors, plant management, operations peers, internal legal, and procurement departments.
• Manage all field resources and personnel, ensuring professional project execution from construction through project close-out.
• Coordinate shop drawings and submittals, develop and process change orders, respond to Requests for Information (RFIs), track project progress and schedules, prepare and track invoices, and manage financial planning, cost forecasting, and schedule management.
• Manage interface with local plant management, operations, and maintenance staff.
• Review and interpret schematic, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural drawings.
• Apply broad technical knowledge across mechanical, electrical, and controls systems for facility projects spanning multiple technologies.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills and resolve challenging situations requiring tact and collaboration to maintain cost-effective operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related work experience in construction project management, energy plant management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing and coordinating subcontractors and collaborating with plant management, operations, and maintenance staff.
• Expertise in construction project management methodologies, with experience managing projects in alignment with construction contracts and a strong understanding of engineering and construction documents and processes.
• Strong understanding of plant infrastructure, including boilers, chillers, gas turbines, related auxiliaries, and control systems.
• Demonstrated project budgeting, cost tracking, and cost estimating experience, including preparing estimates and value engineering.
• Ability to climb, walk long distances, and lift 50 lbs.
• On-site work at Pearl River operation.
• Proven track record in attracting, managing, and developing technical and administrative resources, personnel, and contractors.
• Valid driver's license.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, project scheduling and tracking software (e.g., Primavera), and work order systems (e.g., Maximo).
• Effective written and oral communication, presentation, report generation, and technical writing skills across disciplines.
• 5–10 years of relevant experience managing plant improvement, repair, and upgrade projects across various systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7 years of experience managing construction projects and/or energy asset operations.
• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline (electrical, mechanical).
• Experience in project management of multi-capital projects supporting facility and asset improvement in collaboration with O&M teams.
• Experience working on Design-Build contract projects.
• Registered Professional Engineer preferred.
• PMP certification or ability to achieve within 1 year.

Schedule

Shift: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM; flexibility due to occasional outages or weekend work.

Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance: Coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.
• Dental Insurance: Plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment.
• 401(k) Plan: Opportunity to invest in the Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Eligibility begins on the first of the month following at least 1 calendar year of employment.