Municipal Water Services Project Manager

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery of municipal water projects—from early planning through successful completion. If you excel at coordinating multidisciplinary teams, building trusted client relationships, and keeping complex projects on track, this role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve. 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. 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 judgement 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; elevate 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. Minimum 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). Domestic and/or international travel may be required; frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position. Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. Preferred Qualifications Professional Engineer License CMAR - Contract Management at Risk Skills and 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. 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 is 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, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Amount of Travel Required: 15% Work Location Options: Hybrid Work Options may be considered for successful candidate. #J-18808-Ljbffr