Senior Project Manager

Overview

Join us as we Rise to the Challenge

At KCI, we’re building an enduring community that provides unparalleled value to our employee-owners. We make our mark designing and delivering our world-class solutions, so we invest deeply in supporting and developing our team. We reward integrity and commitment, and when we do well, you do well. Our employee’s have the freedom to innovate, unlimited growth, a voice that matters, a lifestyle that works, and skin in the game. Achievements are shared and celebrated. As a team, we are motivated to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us. 

THE COMPANY

KCI Technologies, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. KCI is recognized as an industry leader, employing cutting-edge technologies, management practices and strategic growth initiatives. Employee ownership fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, encourages technical expertise, and shapes strategic planning.

KCI is currently ranked #53 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 design firms in the nation.

KCI BENEFITS INFORMATION

We offer a competitive compensation package, family friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring and resources you need to advance in your career.

We understand that you have choices, and we know that together we will make a great team!

KCI is committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

KCI Technologies, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Duties, Responsibilities & Other

The Senior Project Manager is the highest level in KCI’s Project Management career path, responsible for overseeing highly complex projects or multi-project programs. This role provides strategic oversight and direction, often managing multiple project teams and guiding Project Managers to achieve cohesive, large-scale outcomes. The Senior Project Manager is instrumental in ensuring seamless coordination across numerous stakeholders, balancing competing demands, and driving projects to successful completion. With an expert grasp of project dynamics, this role requires strong leadership, deep organizational acumen, and the ability to navigate high-stakes projects from inception through delivery.

The key responsibilities of this role include:

Duties, Responsibilities & Other

• Obtain utility contact and facility owner information
•  Obtain, evaluate and provide recommendations to client regarding prior rights claims
•  Prepare Utility Conflict Matrices (UCM) to determine utility impacts and costs responsibilities.
•  Review utility plan or records, Work with utility owners to address utility conflicts.
•  Lead and/or facilitate internal and external meetings regarding utility specific activities
•  Coordinate with DOT's and local municipalities as required
•  Ensure that DOT's requirements for utility certification are met.
•  Experience in an engineering, surveying or Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) related field a plus.
•  Assist Utility Practice Leader in developing and maintaining relationships with existing and new clients including travel as needed
•  Perform other duties as assigned.
•  Normal office environment with field site visits for work related tasks including field data collection, field meetings (with and without client) or other required field duties as required.

Preferred

• At least five (6) years of NCDOT Utility Coordination experience on various transportation projects. Other state or municipal utility coordination experience will be considered.  Six to Ten years’ experience preferred.
•  Excellent written and oral communication skills.
•  Must possess strong organizational skills and be extremely detail oriented
•  Candidates must be capable of working on multiple projects in a dynamic, fast-paced team-oriented environment.
•  Proficiency with NCDOT Highway Construction Plans reading.
•  Familiar with NCDOT processes and standards, especially Utilities Accommodations Manual (UAM).
•  Experience providing drafting assistance, revision, and QA/QC of Relocation Designs from Utility Owners.
•  Assist with report preparation. Experience with report preparation a plus.
•  Field Visits to identify/assess/document existing utility facilities.
•  Position requires travel within North Carolina for both field and office meetings. These are typically day trips but on occasion may be overnight.
•  Valid driver’s license for traveling to project locations or client meetings.
•  Adhere to KCI Technologies internal safety policies, as well as all other company procedures, initiatives, policies, and directives.
•  Pre-employment drug testing is required as a condition of employment.

Software

• Proficiency in MS Word and Excel required
•  Adobe Acrobat (Professional) and/ or Bluebeam Revu
•  Working knowledge and ability to markup documents, make/ respond to comments
•  Google Earth
•  Working knowledge to import KMZ files and manipulate symbology. Proficiency preferred.
•  Working knowledge to create pdfs and images from platform.
•  Microstation (CADD)
•  Working knowledge and at least two years of experience working with on NCDOT projects. Four years’ experience/ proficiency preferred.
•  Working knowledge with reference files, levels, level manager and NCDOT workspaces. Proficiency preferred.
•  Working knowledge of NCDOT SUE CADD Standards & Workspace. Proficiency preferred.
• Working knowledge of Open Roads software.

• Business Development/client management ability.
•  NC811 design ticket creation experience and knowledge of NC811 utility One-Call laws, processes and policies.
•  Experience working on or managing multiple complex projects with utilities. Design-Build experience a plus.
•  Experience working with NCDOT Utility Agreements and encroachment permits; and preparing NCDOT utility reports, special provisions and relocation schedules.
•   Involvement in industry organizations such as ACEC, UCC, ASCE and/or APWA is a plus.

Project Management Leadership and Execution:• Manage all aspects of the project(s), including technical staff, subcontractors, and suppliers, to ensure timely and successful project completion.• Develop and communicate the Project Management Plan for the project, outlining project objectives, scope, schedule, budget, quality standards, and safety protocols.• Effectively manage the project scope, ensuring alignment with client expectations and project requirements.• Maintain project schedules, proactively identifying and addressing potential delays or conflicts to minimize impact on project timelines.Define and refine requirements through a project lifecycle.• Monitor project budgets and expenditures, implementing cost-control measures as needed to ensure projects remain within budgetary constraints.• Uphold high-quality standards throughout project execution, overseeing quality assurance processes and ensuring adherence to industry standards and best practices.• Employs strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage shifting priorities, demands and timelines.• Serve as the primary point of contact for the client, maintaining open communication and addressing client concerns or inquiries in a timely and professional manner.• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and project team members to drive project success and foster a collaborative working environment.• Identifying and mitigating risks for project(s) and project team(s).• Knowledge and experience with different project delivery methods and how to deliver successfully.

Training, Development, and Compliance:• Mentor Project Managers at lower levels to assist in their training and development.• Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.• Ensure projects fulfill Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.• Provide input to develop project-specific safety plans and implement project safety plans to ensure compliance with all Federal, state, and local safety rules and regulations.

Financial Management and Reporting:• Responsible for negotiating contract terms, scope and fees with a client/subconsultant.• Responsible for developing project schedules from inception to completion. Should be able to recognize areas where tasks can be done concurrently to optimize schedule.• Develop contracts for clients/ subconsultants.• Report monthly proposal/business development results to Practice Leader.• Achieve or exceed budgeted individual utilization target (70%-80% typical).• Chart and provide project performance results.• Deliver all projects on time and within budget while fully meeting the scope.• Operate within specified (corporate or project) budget parameters.• Prepare and submit monthly project completion report.• Prepare inter-practice agreements and/or outside subcontracts as required.• Prepare monthly progress reports for all projects and be able to discuss in monthly Project Review Meetings.• Responsible for project cash management (WIP/AR) and providing comments to Finance and Operations monthly.• Set-up new projects and provide weekly new project data to the practice leader.• Search for ways to improve efficiency while lowering project cost.

Business Development and Marketing:• Responsible for participating in project opportunity evaluations, consultant selections, and the preparation of qualification/experience statements.• Responsible for identifying new business opportunities, coordinating and participating in project presentations to clients and other external groups, developing and organizing proposal teams and promoting KCI’s capabilities among existing and prospective clients.• Assist project closeout with an overall project write up and pictures of completed project for marketing/resume use.• Be involved in at least one industry and/or community organization.

Project Execution and Technical Oversight:• Fully manage all required project management and technical deliverables required in contract scope of work.• Compare field data to design plans.• Conduct site visits and gather data, including measurements, sketches, notes, and photographs as needed.• Prepare all phases of designs and/or deliverables submitting for approval.• Read and interpret technical documents required for project execution.• Make determinations on issues/challenges during project implementation or development.• Maintain knowledge of current State and/or Municipal policies, procedures, and guidelines.

* Essential Duties and Responsibilities are the basic job functions that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Qualifications

Education and/or Skills Required: • Bachelor’s Degree in related field (AEC Industry) and minimum of 6 years of related professional experience, or 10 years of equivalent professional experience.• Experience should include a track record of expanding project management duties.• Proven experience in project management roles, with a focus on managing larger-scale projects or programs.• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders.• Proficiency in project management software and tools, with the ability to develop and maintain comprehensive project plans and documentation.• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to project management, quality assurance, and safety protocols.• Effective problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement solutions in a fast-paced environment.• Strong negotiation skills to manage contracts, scope changes, and stakeholder agreements effectively. • Strong understanding of accounting principles to effectively manage project budgets, financial reporting, and resource allocation.

Education and/or Work Experience Preferred:• Master’s Degree in related field (AEC Industry)

Certificates, Licenses, and/or Registrations Required:• Ability to complete the KCI PM Training and Contract Risk Training along with passing the PM Board within 6 months of start date.

• Pre-employment drug screening is a condition of employment. Background and motor vehicle checks may be required based upon position.