Position Overview
The Senior Project Manager ensures the successful delivery of complex industrial automation projects, aligning outcomes with both client and company objectives. This role leads cross-functional teams, manages budgets and schedules, and drives risk-aware execution. Beyond managing day-to-day delivery, the Senior PM leverages deep knowledge of automation technologies and project methodologies to foster innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen client relationships.
Primary Job Functions
- Project Delivery & Execution
- Lead and own project delivery for solutions up to $5M in value.
- Manage overall scope, schedule, budget, and quality to ensure successful outcomes.
- Proactively identify, analyze, and mitigate project risks and issues.
- Oversee project change management, including scope adjustments and negotiation of change orders.
- Drive project close-out activities and ensure accurate documentation and audits.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Provide program management leadership for strategic client accounts.
- Mentor, train, and develop Project Managers and Engineers in project execution methodologies.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within project teams.
- Identify and correct project delivery, resource, or workforce gaps.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate with clients and internal teams to define project objectives and deliverables.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and team members throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure clear communication and alignment of expectations at all project stages.
- Maintain high client satisfaction and support ongoing opportunity development.
- Reporting & Governance
- Provide timely and accurate project reports, updates, and communications to stakeholders and management.
- Track and manage project profitability, compliance, and adherence to company standards.
- Support procurement and vendor management, including reviewing purchase orders, pricing, and vendor invoices.
Secondary Job Functions:
- Perform corporate wide project reviews as required.
- Perform estimation duties for assigned areas.
- Assist in the development and implementation of project execution and project management methodologies.
- Subject matter expert on company business system.
- Ability to develop FRS, FAT and SAT documentation.
- Maintains awareness of future opportunities at customer facilities and informs management.
- Leads Project Teams on assigned projects.
- Mentors and trains Automation Engineers on project execution methodologies.
- Ability to perform job functions of mid to junior level project managers
Key Competencies
- Leadership
- Builds rapport, mentors and manages effective teams and work groups.
- Strong decision making skills, situational awareness and ability to perform under pressure.
- Understands others and demonstrates cognitive and behavioral flexibility. (Emotional Intelligence)
- Demonstrates and fosters maturity in judgment, ethics and integrity.
- Functional
- Business/Financial acumen.
- Demonstrates effective organizational, time management and planning skills.
- High level of conflict resolution skills and the willingness to make difficult decisions specific to technology or resource needs.
- Possesses an appreciation of business demands (schedule, scope, budget and customer requirements).
- Ability to analyze and evaluate work processes, work flow and budgets to maintain successful project delivery.
- Foundational
- Demonstrates flexibility/adaptability in changing and challenging situations.
- Demonstrates a passion for the business and its success.
- Clear and concise verbal and written communication.
- Demonstrates a focus on customer service and attention to detail.
- Demonstrates a commitment to continuous personal, peer and process improvement.
- Fosters positive energy, creativity and teamwork across all departments/locations with the goal of furthering the company values and mission.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Project Management and 6 years of Automation or Controls related experience (Electrical, Computer, Chemical, or other Engineering/Technical degree), or a minimum of 8 years of Automation or Controls related experience.
- PMP or equivalent Project Management Certification.
- Proven track record of successfully managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
- Extensive knowledge of project management methodologies and project management software and tools.
- Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide teams towards success.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- 10+ years of project management experience delivering projects to external clients, including budget ownership and accountability.
- Understanding of multiple automation system platforms, such as DCS, PLC, HMI, SCADA and other applicable systems.
- Broad understanding of all components involved in automation systems from end device to control room to enterprise level.
- Knowledge of multiple industry standards (ISA, NFPA, NEC).
- Proficient at reading and interpreting technical documentation (P&IDs, schematics, loop sheets, manuals, etc.)
- Valid driver’s license.
- Reliable personal transportation with valid liability insurance.
- Fluent in verbal and written English.
- Available for after-hour, weekend and holidays.
- Available for overnight travel.