Value Engineering (VMA/CVS) Senior Project Manager

Job Overview

Athena is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager – Value Engineering (VMA/CVS) to lead multidisciplinary projects and help expand Athena's growing Value Engineering practice. This leadership role is ideal for an experienced professional who enjoys managing complex projects while facilitating Value Engineering (VE), Value Analysis (VA), and Value Methodology (VM) studies.

PURPOSE

The Senior Project Manager – Value Engineering is responsible for successfully managing projects from proposal through completion while ensuring all deliverables are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to Athena's quality standards. This position applies recognized Value Methodology principles to improve functionality, optimize life-cycle costs, reduce project risk, and maximize value for clients.

Major Tasks

• Assist with proposal preparation, scope development, and fee estimating, including identifying opportunities to incorporate Value Methodology services.
• Review contracts and ensure project requirements are clearly understood prior to project initiation.
• Develop project execution plans, schedules, budgets, resource allocations, project files, and accounting systems (Vantagepoint).
• Plan, facilitate, and document Value Engineering/Value Analysis (VE/VA) studies in accordance with SAVE International methodology and industry best practices.
• Lead Function Analysis, Creative Phase Workshops, Evaluation Phases, and recommendation development to identify cost-effective, high-performing project alternatives.
• Monitor project scope, budget, schedule, and quality while integrating Value Methodology recommendations throughout project execution.
• Implement Athena's QA/QC procedures and ensure value-driven decision making is incorporated into all technical deliverables.
• Cook up internal staff, consultants, clients, and stakeholders to successfully deliver projects and facilitate Value Engineering workshops.
• Review project invoices, manage project financial performance, and maintain Work-in-Progress (WIP) in accordance with company goals.
• Identify business development opportunities, including standalone Value Engineering studies and expanded project scopes; pursue approval for additional services and fees.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through responsive communication, technical expertise, and exceptional customer service.
• Mentor project team members while fostering collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Aid in developing and delivering internal training related to Project Management and Value Methodology.
• Support the continued growth and strategic development of Athena's Value Engineering practice.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering, project management, and client-facing experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Experience planning and facilitating Value Engineering or Value Analysis studies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to build client relationships and successfully manage multiple concurrent projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Value Specialist (CVS) or Value Methodology Associate (VMA) certification.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent professional registration.
• Experience with transportation, federal, municipal, or other public-sector infrastructure projects.
• Proven business development experience, including proposal preparation and client development.
• Experience mentoring engineers and technical professionals while leading cross-functional teams.