The Senior Project Manager provides strategic, technical, and managerial leadership for complex engineering projects across assigned service areas. This role is responsible for client satisfaction, project performance, team leadership, and business development while maintaining hands-on involvement in key projects. Senior Project Managers lead multidisciplinary teams, manage multiple concurrent assignments, and contribute to firmwide growth through mentoring, market engagement, and continuous improvement of standards and practices.
Responsibilities
• Serve as a principal client contact, fostering strong relationships that support repeat work and long-term partnerships.
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple complex projects, ensuring quality, schedule, budget, and profitability objectives are met.
• Develop and negotiate project scopes, budgets, schedules, proposals, and contracts.
• Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary project teams, including mentoring and professional development of Project Managers and technical staff.
• Oversee project financial performance, staffing plans, and resource allocation across assignments.
• Review and approve technical deliverables to ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and client requirements.
• Perform or oversee QA/QC reviews, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Lead or support business development efforts, including pursuits, RFQs, proposals, interviews, and account growth.
• Represent the firm in meetings with clients, agencies, boards, and stakeholders, presenting technical and strategic information effectively.
• Contribute to firmwide initiatives related to design standards, best practices, staff development, and operational excellence.
• Balance client needs with internal priorities to maintain high levels of satisfaction, accountability, collaboration, and profitability.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the state(s) required to support project work.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant engineering and project management experience depending on service area.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects, leading multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Proven ability to mentor staff, guide other Project Managers, and supervise teams of approximately 5–7 employees.
• Strong business development, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage shifting priorities and multiple concurrent projects effectively.
• Ability to work Monday–Friday with flexibility for overtime as needed.
EEO Statement:
All qualified applicants for Pape-Dawson Engineers will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Pape-Dawson is an industry-leading, future-focused civil engineering and professional services firm. Our engineers, surveyors, planners, landscape architects, environmental scientists, archaeologists, data analysts, and construction management professionals work together to achieve our shared success: designing and delivering award-winning infrastructure and development projects with national impact.
We are diligent, hardworking problem solvers with a passion for making a difference not only through our work, but also through our commitment to being community partners.
Pape-Dawson acknowledges the value of our team members by providing unmatched company culture that encourages personal growth and professional excellence. From social events and training opportunities to volunteer efforts, Pape-Dawson is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive culture where employees feel a sense of belonging and a strong shared purpose.
In addition to fostering an environment that promotes satisfaction and success, Pape-Dawson invests in employees through world-class benefit offerings, including a variety of insurance plan options; generous PTO policy; impressive 401(k) match; education and gym reimbursements; and flexible and remote work opportunities.
