Principal Program Manager

HDR•Portland, OR

166d

About The Position

HDR is seeking a seasoned Principal Program Manager to serve as a trusted advisor to WSDOT and regional partners, leading complex, multi-year transportation programs from strategy through delivery. The role guides planning, environmental, design, construction, and specialty support services; advises on policy, regulatory, financial, and community considerations; and leads large multidisciplinary teams to deliver resilient and equitable outcomes for the Pacific Northwest. The position calls for an executive-caliber communicator with experience leading major corridor programs and alternative delivery, and the ability to integrate highways with innovative technology and emerging mobility to improve network performance, safety, equity, and long-term value. The Principal Program Manager leads program governance, develops program plans and processes, directs execution from early planning through design and construction, and oversees quality, financial performance, and compliance. The role also advises on risk and delivery strategy, supports stakeholder and public engagement, guides funding pursuits, and grows HDR’s program management practice through client relationships, new pursuits, and staff mentoring. Regular travel and, if needed, commuting to a client site are expected.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
At least one certification or license recognized by the licensing board for the position location: Professional Engineering License (PE or P.Eng), PMI Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP), AICP Certification, or CMAA Certified Construction Manager (CCM).
At least 10 years of program management experience, including at least 4 years as a Senior Program Manager.
Experience leading as a Senior Program Manager or in a similar role in delivering at least three programs, each with a capital value of $500 million or more. Concurrent programs with a total value of $500 million or more qualify as one required program.
Strong leadership skills, including experience building a cohesive team culture and managing team members in various locations.
Excellent communication skills, including comfort presenting to client executives and large public audiences.
Management experience implementing projects or programs using alternative and collaborative delivery methods, including design-build (DB), progressive design-build (PDB), and/or construction management at-risk (CMAR).
Familiarity with tools used to manage large programs, such as PMIS, CMIS, scheduling, cost control, document management, risk management, asset management, and dashboard analytics.
Experience working in an integrated fashion within a Program Management Office (PMO) comprising consultant and client staff.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
DBIA certification.
Experience leading a consultant or owner program management team for at least one transportation infrastructure program with a capital value of $1 billion.
Knowledge of other alternative delivery or contract models, such as public-private partnership (P3), design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM), and engineering procurement construction (EPC).
Willingness to travel regularly and, if needed, commute to a client site.

Responsibilities

Lead multidisciplinary infrastructure programs with significant technical, policy, funding, community, and interagency complexity.
Guide program governance by clarifying roles, decision rights, escalation paths, and reporting cadence, and promote transparent, defensible decisions.
Direct services provided by large HDR and subconsultant program teams or provide day-to-day program leadership, alignment, and accountability.
Advise WSDOT on technical, regulatory, financial, and community aspects of complex programs, tailoring guidance to client needs and political context.
Anticipate technical, supply chain, permitting, community, and cost risks; lead issue resolution, mitigation, and timely decision-making.
Apply lessons learned and industry best practices, and provide thought leadership on delivery strategy, innovation, and resiliency.
Develop and implement Program Management Plans, startup plans, work plans, business processes, and toolsets.
Establish and optimize program functions, including governance, planning and design management, permitting, environmental compliance, QA/QC, cost control, estimating, scheduling, document management, procurement, project and risk management, construction management, commissioning, communications, change management, equity, sustainability, resiliency, strategic planning, financial and regulatory support, real estate, organizational strengthening, and capital planning.
Plan, direct, and monitor program execution from early planning through design and construction, including alternative delivery and non-traditional procurement.
Secure and deploy resources to address challenges and unforeseen events, and adjust delivery strategies as conditions evolve.
Promote team alignment through effective communications, clear performance expectations, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Establish and oversee a robust QA/QC program to ensure technical excellence and maintain client confidence.
Monitor financial performance against established metrics, manage earnings and profitability, control losses, and ensure contract compliance.
Track KPIs for scope, schedule, cost, quality, safety, equity, and risk, and drive corrective actions as needed.
Shape public and agency engagement strategies with client leadership, aligning messaging, timing, and outcomes.
Present to and coordinate with federal, state, and local officials, regional partners, advocacy groups, and the public; communicate technical information as clear, actionable narratives.
Guide grant strategy and support funding pursuits for sustainable, long-term program financing.
Grow HDR’s program management practice by building client relationships, expanding existing services, supporting new pursuits, mentoring and training staff, and contributing to practice-wide initiatives.