Job DescriptionJoin 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 Required10% or less
Driving RequirementsAn appropriate and valid driver's license is required.
Pay Range MinUSD $87,131.00
Pay Range MaxUSD $152,485.00
Additional Pay Range InformationCDM 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 CompensationAll bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
Visa Sponsorship AvailableNo-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position
Agency DisclaimerAll 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.
