Manager, PMO

ESP Associates • Raleigh, NC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Manager within the PMO, you will lead a team of project managers and project controllers to build the processes, standards and tools that bring consistency and predictability to how our team delivers projects to our clients. You will also provide strategic leadership for the delivery of complex engineering programs and major projects for public-owned and investor-owned electric utilities. This role is responsible for overseeing large project portfolios, ensuring successful execution and financial performance, and maintaining strong client partnerships. You will track and report project performance across portfolios – scope, schedule, budget, and quality – while developing people, metrics, and systems that provide leading indicators and improve how we run projects. This role blends hands-on people management with process ownership; you’ll mentor and develop project managers while also shaping the PMO framework – templates, reporting tools, training and controls – that the broader team relies on. You will serve as a leader within the organization, guiding multidisciplinary teams, mentoring project managers and engineering staff, and supporting business development efforts to expand services with existing and new clients. The PMO plays a key role in shaping project delivery strategy, strengthening client relationships, and contributing to the continued growth of the company.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or related engineering discipline (preferred)
• 15+ years of experience managing engineering or infrastructure projects
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale utility programs or complex infrastructure projects
• Proven ability to oversee multiple projects and large multidisciplinary teams
• PE registration or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (required)
• Previous experience with utility or engineering consulting firms strongly preferred
• Experience in transmission line engineering and project management (preferred)
• Strong leadership, client relationship management, and business development skills
• Proven ability to manage large project portfolios and drive financial performance
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to mentor and develop senior staff and project managers
• Some travel is required

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of project managers, providing day-to-day guidance, workload balancing, and professional development.
• Provide leadership and guidance to project managers, project controllers, surveyors and multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Support the development and improvement of project management processes, standards, and tools across the organization
• Develop and track meaningful project metrics and reporting to give leadership visibility into performance and trends
• Support project setup, change order development, and documentation and configuration controls
• Coordinate with engineering leadership, Accounting, and Project Controls to maintain accurate financial reporting, invoicing, and forecasting
• Ensure effective coordination with Accounting and Project Controls to maintain accurate project financial reporting, invoicing, and forecasting
• Provide strategic oversight into project portfolios, ensuring successful delivery of scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety performance
• Provide executive-level reporting on program performance, risks, financials, and strategic opportunities to both clients and company leadership
• Oversee financial performance and profitability across assigned programs and project portfolios, including risk management and recovery strategies when necessary
• Conduct project reviews and audits to ensure consistency and quality across the team
• Lead complex project negotiations, contract discussions, and major program planning efforts
• Lead the execution of large-scale engineering programs and major projects for public-owned and investor-owned electric utilities
• Coordinate with engineering leadership, operations, and executive management to align project execution with company goals and client expectations
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities with existing and prospective clients in collaboration with marketing and business development teams
• Lead or support the preparation of major proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates for large projects and programs
• Represent the company in industry meetings, client strategy discussions, and major project reviews

Benefits

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days)
• PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays
• VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date)
• Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days)
• Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (Employer Paid)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Education Reimbursement Opportunities
• Flexible and Dependent Benefits Plan
• Referral Bonuses

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager