Municipal Water Services Project Manager

Company Overview

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Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

Join our Kansas City team as Water Project Manager with the technical depth to lead complex water infrastructure projects from concept through delivery. This role blends hands‑on engineering judgment with full project management responsibility—owning scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client outcomes.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams delivering sustainable water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that serve communities and meet rigorous regulatory and environmental standards. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys technical leadership, client engagement, and accountability for project performance.

What You Will Do 

• Define project scope, objectives, schedules, budgets, and execution plans.
• Develop detailed statements of work and work breakdown structures; secure alignment and approvals from internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Identify potential project risks, evaluate impacts, and implement proactive mitigation strategies throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, project management standards, contract requirements, and safety protocols.
• Manage project financials, including cost tracking, forecasting, and overall profitability.
• Lead the client billing process—reviewing invoices, ensuring accurate and timely billing, and following up on outstanding payments.
• Review and approve subcontractor and vendor invoices to maintain timely and accurate payment to external partners.
• Provide continuous oversight of project execution, monitoring performance metrics, identifying risks, and escalating issues when necessary.
• Manage scope changes using established change‑management procedures; adjust plans, resources, and schedules to maintain project success.
• Work closely with safety teams to review project scope and implement effective site‑specific safety plans.
• Respond promptly to findings from internal and external audits and ensure corrective actions are properly implemented.
• Apply sound engineering judgment in evaluating technical approaches, design criteria, construction methods, and project alternatives.
• Offer clear direction and guidance to drafters, designers, engineers, field staff, contractors, and other project team members.
• Develop and manage project staffing plans; identify resource needs, coordinate with internal teams, and oversee procurement of subcontractors and vendors.
• Communicate project deadlines, expectations, and deliverables clearly to all team members; assign tasks and monitor progress.
• Provide coaching, performance feedback, and support for project staff; escalate performance concerns to management and HR when appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships—delivering high‑quality, on‑time outcomes and managing expectations effectively.
• Ensure client satisfaction through strong communication, thorough planning, and consistent follow‑through. Perform additional duties as needed to support successful project delivery.

 Please note, this role requires a specialized project management background, related to water services engineering. We are looking for a Civil, Mechanical, Environmental or Water Resources Engineer with a minimum of 7 years of overall experience with a minimum of 4 years of experience as a Project Manager for water services.

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Skills & Abilities

• Strong experience with modern project management practices, including budgeting, scheduling, project planning, risk management, and quality assurance.
• Proficiency with project management software and a solid understanding of finance and accounting principles that influence project performance.
• Deep understanding of project drivers, goals, risks, and opportunities, and the ability to translate them into actionable plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with staff at all levels, clients, and vendors.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to build trust, facilitate collaboration, and lead productive discussions.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and a high volume of requests while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and general computer applications used for project documentation and reporting.
• Highly organized with strong time‑management skills and the ability to balance priorities in a fast‑paced environment.                                                                                                                                 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 7 years of engineering experience with 4 or more focused on Project Management.
• PMP (PMI), CCM or DBIA certification is required (within 12 months of hire or promotion onto the Approved Project Manager list).
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer LicenseCMAR - Contract Management at Risk

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less
Driving Requirements

An appropriate and valid driver's license is required.
EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.
Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position
Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.
Pay Range Max

USD $152,485.00
Pay Range Min

USD $87,131.00