South Central Program Management Lead

HDR • Houston, TX

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Management Lead for the South Central U.S. Water Engineering practice is a strategic leader responsible for driving the successful delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary water programs across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. This role serves as a key integrator between clients, technical teams, and regional leadership, ensuring Programs are executed with excellence, consistency, and alignment to client needs and organizational goals. The leader will cultivate high-performing teams by developing talent, strengthening program management capabilities, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. In parallel, this role will deepen client relationships, identify growth opportunities, and position the organization as a trusted partner in solving critical water challenges across the region.
In the role of a Program Management Lead, we'll count on you to:
Assume leadership responsibilities for the management of multidisciplinary infrastructure programs with a high degree of technical complexity and non-technical intricacies
Advise clients on the technical, regulatory, financial, and community facets of infrastructure programs, which are all critical to program success. Leverage lessons learned from other programs and industry best management practices to address the specific needs of each client
Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of program execution. This may involve overseeing a broad range of disciplines including, but not limited to: capital planning, change management, commissioning/asset onboarding, communications, construction management, cost control/estimating, document management, environmental planning/compliance, engineering, equity, financial support, organizational strengthening, permitting, planning/design management, program governance, procurement, project management, quality management, real estate, regulatory support, risk management, scheduling, strategic planning, sustainability and resiliency
Anticipate and identify potential issues and risks that may impact program implementation, and assist the client with problem-solving, issues resolution, risk mitigation, and timely decision-making. Provide strategic advice and thought leadership. Deploy the required resources to address various program challenges and unanticipated events
Develop and implement various plans (program management plans, startup plans and work plans), business processes, and tools to drive efficiencies, emphasize accountability, bring team alignment, and promote transparency
Direct the services provided by multiple large program teams or provide day-to-day leadership on a single mega-project
Promote alignment within the team through effective and regular communications.
Secure the resources required to deliver services specified in the contract scope with a focus on contract compliance
Monitor team performance and establish a robust QA/QC program to meet client expectations
Monitor the financial performance of the program against pre-established financial metrics and adjust as necessary to meet earnings and profitability targets, and control losses
Contribute to the growth of HDR's program management services by (1) building a long-term trusted advisory relationship with clients; (2) looking for opportunities to expand our services to address the needs of existing clients; (3) supporting the pursuit of new program contract opportunities; (4) mentoring and training staff working on programs; and (5) supporting practice-wide initiatives

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration or a closely related field
• At least one of the following licenses/certifications recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered: Professional Engineering License (PE or P.Eng), PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification, AICP Certification, or CMAA Certified Construction Manager (CCM) Certification
• A minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience, with at least four (4) years as a Senior Program Manager
• Experience leading as a Senior Program Manager or serving in a similar role on delivery of three or more programs, each with a capital value of $500 million or more, and. Experience delivering concurrent programs with a total value of $500 million or more qualifies as one of the required programs
• Strong leadership skills with experience building a cohesive team culture and managing team members located in various locations
• Excellent communication skills. Comfortable presenting to client executives and in front of a large audience in a public setting
• Management experience with the implementation of projects or programs using alternative and collaborative delivery methods, including design-build (DB), progressive design-build (PDB), and/or construction management at-risk (CMAR)
• Familiar with the various types of tools used to manage large programs - PMIS, CMIS, scheduling, cost control, document management, risk management, asset management, dashboard analytics, etc.
• Experience working in an integrated fashion within a Program Management Office (PMO) comprised of both consultant and client staff

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration or closely related field
• DBIA certification
• Experience leading the consultant or owner program management team of at least one [transportation/water/resources] infrastructure program(s) with a capital value of $1 billion
• Knowledgeable of other alternative delivery/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's site temporarily

Responsibilities

• Assume leadership responsibilities for the management of multidisciplinary infrastructure programs with a high degree of technical complexity and non-technical intricacies
• Advise clients on the technical, regulatory, financial, and community facets of infrastructure programs, which are all critical to program success. Leverage lessons learned from other programs and industry best management practices to address the specific needs of each client
• Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of program execution. This may involve overseeing a broad range of disciplines including, but not limited to: capital planning, change management, commissioning/asset onboarding, communications, construction management, cost control/estimating, document management, environmental planning/compliance, engineering, equity, financial support, organizational strengthening, permitting, planning/design management, program governance, procurement, project management, quality management, real estate, regulatory support, risk management, scheduling, strategic planning, sustainability and resiliency
• Anticipate and identify potential issues and risks that may impact program implementation, and assist the client with problem-solving, issues resolution, risk mitigation, and timely decision-making. Provide strategic advice and thought leadership. Deploy the required resources to address various program challenges and unanticipated events
• Develop and implement various plans (program management plans, startup plans and work plans), business processes, and tools to drive efficiencies, emphasize accountability, bring team alignment, and promote transparency
• Direct the services provided by multiple large program teams or provide day-to-day leadership on a single mega-project
• Promote alignment within the team through effective and regular communications.
• Secure the resources required to deliver services specified in the contract scope with a focus on contract compliance
• Monitor team performance and establish a robust QA/QC program to meet client expectations
• Monitor the financial performance of the program against pre-established financial metrics and adjust as necessary to meet earnings and profitability targets, and control losses
• Contribute to the growth of HDR's program management services by (1) building a long-term trusted advisory relationship with clients; (2) looking for opportunities to expand our services to address the needs of existing clients; (3) supporting the pursuit of new program contract opportunities; (4) mentoring and training staff working on programs; and (5) supporting practice-wide initiatives

Benefits

• Employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day.
• Fostering a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities.
• Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute.

What This Job Offers

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