Project Leader

Veolia Environnement SA•Midway, TN

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Leader plans, executes, and completes assigned projects in alignment with organizational objectives, delivering on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards. The role addresses project challenges, communicates goals and progress to stakeholders, fosters collaboration and inclusion, and develops practical solutions to achieve defined outcomes. The Project Leader leads site safety and compliance efforts, including maintaining compliance with OSHA, state requirements, Veolia programs, environmental requirements, contract terms, and site procedures. The position is responsible for dependable project execution, problem resolution, resource coordination, and meeting deadlines. Rotational 24-hour emergency on-call duty may be required by the site. The position provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance oversight for project personnel, generally supervising more than 10 full-time equivalent employees. It builds and maintains customer relationships, administers client contracts, manages expectations and scope changes, prepares and presents reports, participates in client meetings, and supports regulatory reporting and public relations as needed. The role also supports business development, contract renewals and extensions, customer feedback, and new business opportunities. The Project Leader manages procurement requirements, including MBE/WBE/VBE contract requirements, and identifies and justifies capital expenditures in partnership with the client. It has full project P&L and budgeting ownership, including forecasting, cost control, pricing, invoicing, collections, financial reporting, and annual budget development. Operational oversight generally includes facilities greater than 10 mgd, several worksites or a single large water/wastewater plant, and project revenue below $10 million. The work is performed approximately 60% in the operations environment and 40% in the office at a project site. The role attends client meetings, works outdoors in inclement weather, drives a company vehicle, and may travel occasionally for training or meetings.

Requirements

At least 6 years of leadership experience, including 4 years leading project teams.
Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
Demonstrated leadership ability and understanding of HR principles.
Experience with P&L ownership, budgeting, and cost control for project sites.
Proven ability to deliver excellent customer satisfaction and build strong customer partnerships.
Excellent written, verbal, listening, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Ability to handle sensitive communications with internal teams and project stakeholders at all levels.
Ability to understand and manage safety, environmental, and health requirements, and commitment to applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
Strong PC skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
Ability to manage facilities and capital equipment, solve problems, develop solutions, build teams, and motivate personnel.
Technical writing and total quality management skills.
Must be able to obtain certifications as required.
Outgoing, self-directed, goal-oriented, creative, organized, detail-oriented, and resourceful, with initiative and sound judgment.
Ability to manage changing priorities and influence cross-functional teams or stakeholders without direct authority.
Ability to work outside in inclement weather and drive a company vehicle.
Ability to attend occasional travel for training or meetings.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field is strongly preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead project planning, execution, and completion to meet organizational objectives, schedules, budgets, and quality standards.
Navigate project challenges, resolve problems, manage changing priorities, and coordinate resources to meet deadlines.
Communicate project goals, expectations, progress, and challenges to employees, clients, and other stakeholders.
Foster an inclusive, collaborative, accountable, and supportive team environment; mentor and develop team members.
Lead safety culture and enforce safety protocols, procedures, PPE requirements, training, and individual accountability; monitor and report safety performance.
Ensure compliance with contracts, OSHA and state requirements, environmental, safety, operating, and emergency response procedures, and company policies.
Manage project personnel, evaluate performance, align employee abilities with job requirements, provide coaching, and address employee concerns.
Maintain client relationships, solicit feedback, address customer needs, manage expectations, and resolve service issues.
Administer client contracts, define deliverables, manage schedules and deadlines, identify scope changes, and conduct routine client meetings.
Support business development, including scope expansions, contract extensions and renewals, prospective client relationships, and evaluation of new opportunities.
Manage contract MBE/WBE/VBE procurement requirements and comply with legal requirements and company policies.
Identify and justify capital expenditures in partnership with clients.
Own project P&L and financial management, including budget preparation, forecasting, cost control, pricing, personnel utilization, invoicing, collections, receivables, and monthly reporting.
Develop and present annual budgets and ensure the project meets or exceeds financial plans.
Oversee facilities generally greater than 10 mgd, multiple worksites or a large water/wastewater plant, and project operations.
Prepare and present progress and special reports; assist with regulatory agency reports and public relations as needed.
Automate processes where possible and capture historical data for future quotes.
Participate in project start-up teams, client meetings, council or neighboring city/town meetings, and award programs.
Serve rotational 24-hour emergency on-call as required by the site.