Project Director - Capital Project Execution

Tallgrass•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Project Director provides leadership, direction, and project management to ensure projects are completed in accordance with contractual obligations, Federal Regulations, and company standards. The role defines project goals and methods, develops a thorough understanding of customer objectives, contract terms, and corporate policies, and plans, organizes, manages, and controls projects using established policies, procedures, systems, and requirements. The position typically manages a single large or mega project, or multiple complex projects or programs with high-risk elements. It may involve developing new concepts for technical or functional projects, implementing organizational change within project scope, managing work through project leads or other project managers, and serving as proposal manager for large and mega projects. The role requires extensive experience leading engineering and execution of major capital projects, particularly in the natural gas and hazardous-liquid pipeline and facilities sectors. The Project Director oversees project scope, estimating, cost and schedule controls, design and construction, resources, procurement, permitting, and project controls. The position also provides technical direction and oversight to staff and contractors, supports team development and mentoring, and communicates project proposals, plans, and results to business leaders and internal and external customers. The position is primarily office-based, though assignments may involve field work at construction or work sites and exposure to varying, sometimes extreme, weather. The employee must follow safety policies and procedures and may need to work overtime or extended hours during emergencies. A company cell phone must be carried, with availability to respond during both working and non-working hours. A valid driver’s license is required for travel. Employment is contingent on clearing a drug screen and background check; credit reports may also be included for certain positions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction, or project management, or equivalent, from an accredited institution, along with 15 years of relevant job experience.
At least 10 years of experience in a major projects environment, with direct engineering or project management experience on natural gas or hazardous-liquid pipeline or facility projects.
Led at least three complete EPC projects, including one valued at more than $1 billion TIC and one involving innovative or complex execution strategies.
Executed at least one major capital project with TIC of USD 200 million or more.
Extensive experience developing major projects with a development portfolio of USD 1 billion.
Experience managing basic and detailed engineering activities for very large process plants.
Experience executing large midstream pipelines, compressor and pump stations, and marine export terminal projects.
Experience in high-pressure gas and liquid transmission, metering, compression, pump stations, storage, truck loading terminals, gathering, treating, and processing projects.
Full project management skills, including project scoping and estimating using work breakdown structures, cost and schedule control, design and construction management, team building, resource planning, procurement, and permitting.
Basic understanding of midstream and downstream projects.
Prior experience leading project controls and implementing cost and schedule management tools.
Experience leading cost control management and reporting extensively to upper management.
Advanced experience using Primavera for schedule development, tracking, and control.
Strong analytical skills, logical thought processes, and ability to analyze financial and cost data and develop conclusions and recommendations.
Commercial awareness and ability to manage change.
Exceptional verbal and written communication, facilitation, organizational, leadership, motivation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to lead and work effectively with company and contract employees, third parties, people from varied disciplines and backgrounds, and regulatory agencies; resolve conflicts and problems; and mentor team members.
Ability to work independently, accept direction, prioritize work, manage multiple tasks with strict deadlines, and maintain confidentiality when necessary.
Understanding of corporate policies, procedures, practices, and processes as they relate to the Pipeline business segment, its business units, and internal and external customers.
Understanding of basic economic analysis as it relates to project justification.
Working knowledge of applicable regulations and agencies, including DOT, OSHA, and state counterparts.
Familiarity with DOT, NEC, ASME, API, ASTM, and other specifications, standards, and recommended practices used in natural gas or hazardous-liquid transportation.
Proficiency in MS Office applications, which may include Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
Must be able to perform essential and marginal functions, follow work schedules and rules, maintain attention to detail, and behave professionally and respectfully.
Must be able to work in all weather conditions, in confined spaces, and around construction sites and heavy equipment.
Must be able to carry a cell phone and respond during working and non-working hours.
Must clear a drug screen and complete a background check after an offer and before employment; credit reports may be included for certain positions.

Nice To Haves

Registered professional engineer.
Training in project management software and techniques, including project scoping and estimating using work breakdown structures, cost and schedule control systems, design and construction management, team building, resource planning, procurement, and permitting.
Knowledge of natural gas and oil pipeline, plant, and pump station operations.
Experience with FERC pipeline projects.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a large or mega project, or multiple complex projects and programs, to meet contractual obligations and project goals.
Define project goals and develop methods to accomplish them, taking account of customer objectives, contract terms, corporate policies, Federal Regulations, and company standards.
Plan, organize, manage, and control project scope, estimating, cost and schedule, design and construction, team and resource planning, procurement, and permitting.
Manage engineering activities for large process plants and major capital projects.
Lead project controls, cost control, schedule development and tracking, and reporting to upper management.
Coordinate with Commercial to develop project concepts and evaluate project justification and economics.
Provide technical work direction and oversight to staff, contractors, project leads, and other project managers.
Mentor junior Project Engineering Managers and engineering and design team members.
Build and lead multidisciplinary teams, resolve conflicts and problems, and keep projects on target and on schedule.
Communicate proposals, ideas, plans, and results to business segment leaders and internal and external customers.
Manage change and apply corporate policies, procedures, practices, and processes to the Pipeline business segment.
Serve as proposal manager for large and mega projects when needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.