Associate Project Manager - Construction Consulting

Exponent Inc.•Oakland, CA

12d•$108,000 - $135,000•Onsite

About The Position

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges. We are committed to engaging multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower our clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability. Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. We are currently seeking a Senior Associate for an Associate Project Manager role for our Construction Consulting Practice in Oakland, CA. In this Associate Project Manager role, you will help manage complex large electric transmission projects from pre-construction to close-out and drive them to on-time and on-budget completion. You will manage and control project performance – cost, schedule, scope, risks, and data integrity across utility construction projects. You will also prepare and manage project forecasts, variance analysis, and reporting, providing project performance status and strategic insight to project teams, stakeholders, and leadership.

Requirements

B.S. in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering or similar (advanced degree(s) is preferred)
Minimum of 4+ years of experience in the electric utility industry (preferred), or heavy industrial fields such as oil and gas, chemicals, petrochemicals or large infrastructure projects, in project/construction management, engineering management, risk management, and/or contractor management role(s)
Strong experience in construction project management and project controls
Adaptability to function effectively in a dynamic team environment and work on multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to interact effectively with external clients and internal colleagues
Demonstrated expertise in project control processes, including baseline management, budget and cost management and control, progress tracking and reporting, forecasting, and variance analysis
Strong technical proficiency in using industry standard tools including Primavera P6, Power BI, and others to develop and update, manage, analyze, and assure quality of project schedules
Excellent analytical and critical‑thinking skills with commitment to data integrity, quality assurance, and continuous improvements
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and team leadership abilities, with experience collaborating across cross-functional teams and stakeholder groups
Self-motivated, highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities within a fast‑paced work environment

Nice To Haves

advanced degree(s)

Responsibilities

Planning, executing, and helping manage projects to meet project schedule, cost, and scope
Developing schedules, budgets, and risk management plans
Managing schedule and cost performance, reporting deliverables, and financial forecasts to key stakeholders
Performing change control and implementing risk mitigations
Managing and coordinating project teams and stakeholders (e.g. team members, engineers, contractors, regulatory agencies, environmental, land and permitting, legal, procurement, construction, etc.)
Driving timely progress and solving obstacles on project activities
Overseeing contractor performance
Proactively identifying potential risks and issues and prepare preventative plans
Preparing and providing reporting and information to requests from project stakeholders and executives
Collaborating closely with Project Managers and multidisciplinary teams to plan, manage and monitor, and control project cost and schedule performance, using industry standard tools such as Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Power BI, and other Microsoft Office applications
Performing variance and trend analyses to ensure alignment with baseline plans, project schedule and budget compliance, and project objectives
Evaluating project status through progress monitoring and reporting, managing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying risks and issues early, and providing recommendations for corrective or preventive actions
Performing robust documentation and document management; preparing and maintaining project documentation, including schedule baselines, progress metrics, change logs, RFIs, progress reports, risk registers, action items trackers, issue logs, RACI charts, communication plans, and meeting minutes
Conducting data management and analytics to provide insights to support decision‑making, risk analysis, and continuous improvements
Participating in project meetings, working with project team members and stakeholders, and conducting project site visits to have direct and comprehensive knowledge of projects
Function effectively either by supporting Project Managers or independently managing smaller-sized projects
Contributing to a proactive, collaborative project team culture by promoting effective communication, accountability, and schedule management best practices