Job Information

Salary Range: $95,00 - $110,000

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more! 

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

The Senior Engineering Project Manager is responsible for leading the delivery of small to large capital investment projects from inception through closeout and in-service, ensuring scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, and regulatory requirements are met. This role provides senior-level project leadership across Indiana-American Water’s water and wastewater production, treatment, pumping, storage, and network assets, and drives effective project governance through the Company’s Capital Program Management (CPM) processes and project management information system. The Senior Engineering Project Manager coordinates internal stakeholders, Asset Owners/Operations, Technical Services, Supply Chain, Safety, and external consultants/contractors to deliver projects that meet capital investment objectives and business operations needs.

Key Accountabilities

• Plans, monitors, and controls scope, schedule, and budget for multiple concurrent small to large capital investment projects and programs of moderate to advanced scope and complexity.
• Drives efficiency in project delivery and effective management of schedules and costs through disciplined forecasting, change control, and the monitoring and use of delivery metrics (e.g., unit costs, target costs vs. actual, schedule and cost performance).
• Delivers assigned capital projects in accordance with Company policies, procedures, and CPM governance from planning and design through construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Partners with Operations/Asset Owners to define operational requirements, manage outages and operational impacts, and ensure Asset Owner involvement throughout project development, delivery, commissioning, and handover.
• Coordinates with internal and external Technical Services functions to apply Company standards and requirements; ensures appropriate quality assurance/quality control and compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory criteria, specifications, and standards.
• Coordinates with technical services, property/real estate, and other internal teams, as well as external governmental agencies, to obtain land acquisition, easements/rights-of-way, permits, certificates, and other approvals required to execute assigned projects and programs.
• Leads contracting and procurement strategy in coordination with Supply Chain, including scope development, bid packages, contractor selection recommendations, contract administration, and change order negotiation.
• Develops and maintains project risk registers and mitigation plans; proactively 
• identifies constructability, safety, environmental, regulatory, property, and stakeholder risks and escalates issues as required.
• Assists with project commissioning, training, documentation, and turnover to Operations, ensuring required handover checklists and commissioning/handover documentation are completed and stored in AW PMIS prior to placing assets in-service.
• Provides clear, timely communications and executive-ready reporting on project status, forecasts, risks, and delivery metrics; supports audits and rate/regulatory inquiries by maintaining complete, defensible project documentation.
• Mentors and coaches Project Managers and project team members by sharing best practices, reviewing schedules/cost forecasts, supporting problem solving, and promoting consistent application of CPM governance and standards.
• Drives continuous improvement in project delivery by standardizing tools, templates, and lessons learned; contributes to development of best practices, delivery metrics, and training materials across the Engineering organization.

Knowledge/Skills

• General knowledge of Engineering, Project Management and construction management practices related to planning, design, construction and operations for water and wastewater resource management facilities, engineering and utility economics and contract administration and construction technology.
• Working knowledge of regulatory developments, new technology and current trends in water quality, water treatment, developer services and other related water resource management disciplines.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations
• Knowledge of employee relations, applicable safety and environmental regulations, federal and state water quality and design regulations and technical standards.   
• Strong process, project, and program management skills.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., analytical, technical, problem solving).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., fluency in report writing and presentations).
• Effective interpersonal skills (e.g., persuasion, negotiation, listening, cooperation, tact, diplomacy, problem solving, internal consulting).
• Leadership presence (e.g., ability to deal effectively and maintain collaborative relationships with Company senior management and other key internal and external stakeholders).
• Ability to influence the organization to drive operational work and resource planning activities.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively solve routine and non-routine issues, developing possible solutions to problems and challenges.
• Ability to execute with urgency, while also maintaining project management discipline and stakeholder engagement.
• Financial analysis skills, including budget management, business modeling, and basic accounting knowledge.
• Strong contract administration skills, including bid package development, change management, and claims awareness.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop other project managers through coaching, review of project controls, and sharing lessons learned.
• Strong risk management and stakeholder management skills, including facilitation of cross-functional decisions and escalation of issues.                                             

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• With a Bachelor’s degree, 6+ years’ experience leading delivery of water and wastewater utility capital projects across planning, design, permitting, and construction; demonstrated experience managing multiple projects with significant schedule and cost accountability.
• Consideration will be given for advanced degrees and/or relevant certification(s) in lieu of minimum years of experience. 

Certifications & Licenses

• Engineer-in-training (EIT), Professional Engineer (PE), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification strongly preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License

Travel Requirements

Periodic travel with overnight stays as required; generally, less than 20% of total time is anticipated away from office.

Work Environment

Primarily office with occasional local / overnight work in the field. While performing the duties of this role, frequently works in construction environments, near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions and could include a work environment where possible exposure to physical hazards, weather extremes, wet and/or humid conditions and chemicals exist. The ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment is required. Occasionally works at elevated levels, in confined spaces and in a construction environment. Use of respiratory protection may be required in certain instances. There may also be instances of potential noise exposure.