Overview

The objective of this position, is to ensure consistent and quality project delivery, accurate financial forecasting, and strong team performance in alignment with SSOE strategic goals for growth, clients, operational excellence, and people.

 

The Section Managers of the Project Managers, are accountable for the performance outcomes of their team – not just activity. This includes team utilization, project delivery quality, project financial performance, staff development, adoption of best practices, and compliance with both SSOE and client standards. They serve as the primary link between department leadership and project execution, balancing workload distribution, resource planning, mentorship, and client engagement. The role demands proactive leadership: identifying risks early, driving corrective actions, enforcing compliance, and fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development across the section. This Section Manager will also have a primary responsibility to lead high-value proposals and will likely manage some projects as the identified Senior Project Manager role on the project.

 

What We Offer:

• A hybrid work schedule option for this role, providing you with the flexibility to achieve work-life balance while excelling in your career. May be eligible for a fully remote work schedule per company policy.
• Competitive Salary: $140k - $177k / year depending on location, education, experience, and certifications.
• Bonus and Incentives: Eligibility for our annual target bonus/incentive program based on company and individual performance and goals. 
• Ownership Opportunities: As an employee-owned firm, we offer ownership opportunities to all employees at the associate level and above. This senior associate-level role will allow you to become a shareholder of SSOE.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K retirement savings plan (with company matching), professional development and training, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Additional Perks:

• Continuous Learning: Embrace a culture of perpetual learning where curiosity is celebrated, innovative ideas are welcomed, and your career growth aspirations are fully supported.
• Career Stability: A diversity of market sectors, project types, and geographic locations that help insulate your career from economic ups and downs.
• Career Advancement: Embark on a structured career journey with abundant opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Holistic Compensation: A holistic approach to compensation and benefits that supports your physical and mental health, encourages work-life balance, and empowers your career advancement and financial success.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

The following duties are typical of the position, but are not all encompassing. Responsibilities include those required to deliver quality service on schedule and within budget in a team environment.

 

• Periodically spot-check projects for compliance with SSOE and department requirements and best practices. Verify that the Project Managers maintain alignment among scope, schedule, and budget; actively address misalignment of spent progress vs completion progress; and promote proper documentation.
• Assist PMs in developing and fully implementing recovery plans.
• Promote strong and proactive client communication. Promote continuous business development. Proactively engage with the section to resolve client issues.
• Support proposal development through staffing alignments, review of hours/approaches/fees, and reinforce that proposals include a well-fit execution strategy with comprehensive scope definition.
• Assess incoming opportunities and recommend resource assignments based on fit, priorities, and availability. Manage high-value proposals directly. Some direct project management may be assigned.
• Balance workload and assign value-added work when capacity exists. Minimize undue burdens and monitor overtime for team health and capacity. Review Time Analysis weekly: productivity, misallocated time, and under/over-utilization trends.
• Review team capacity across all projects; identify structural overload, gaps, or misalignment of skillsets; propose adjustments or hiring needs.
• Ensure 100% of submitted proposals and awarded projects have a resource plan in Vantagepoint and resolve expired plans within the business week. Ensure resource plans are maintained regularly for all projects; ensure forecasts reflect realistic execution.
• Collaborate with Project Controllers and Finance and identify high-risk or trending-negative projects early for margin erosion and forecast inaccuracies. Validate project forecasts vs actuals and accuracy of ETCs and resource plans.
• Ensure PMs follow up on overdue invoices with clients and send documentation to Finance in a timely manner.
• Confirm all team submissions are complete and on time. Track misses, patterns, and enforce correct time charging behavior. Implement corrective actions for repeated issues.
• Conduct regular 1:1 discussion with team members for in-flight mentoring and coaching to provide recognition; reinforce expectations and priorities; raise team feedback, health, and input for leadership; and drive continuous improvement.
• Assess strengths and opportunity areas of section personnel to identify and prioritize training needs and succession recommendations.
• Monitor and encourage active participation in the mentoring program to support development plans, knowledge transfer, and pipeline of talent.
• Reinforce a culture of accountability and communication standards — ensure accurate coverage planning (calendars, meeting responses, out-of-office messages, preparation for those covering).
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or masters degree in Architecture/Engineering with minimum of eight (8) years related experience or six (6) to eight (8) years direct experience in Lead PM Position managing design-related projects.
• PMP Certification preferred.
• Strong project management background with accurate financial forecasting capabilities.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of project professionals.
• Experience with resource planning tools (e.g., Vantagepoint) and time analysis platforms (e.g., Power BI).
• Solid understanding of project delivery standards and quality assurance practices.
• Demonstrated skills in mentoring, coaching, and performance management.
• Strong communication skills for client engagement, team leadership, and cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to balance workload, identify staffing gaps, and make data-driven resourcing decisions.
• Familiarity with financial metrics (EAC, ETC, % complete vs % spent, margin analysis, EV, WIP).
• Experience in proposal support, scope definition, and business development activities.