Project Management Lead

National Renewable Energy Laboratory • Golden, CO

2d

About The Position

The Project Manager Lead position requires excellent communication, decision-making, project management and planning skills with an unquestionably high ethical standard and attention to reputation and management of risks. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with constituents at all levels in the organization, attention to detail, talent development, and commitment to research and facility needs. Major responsibilities include leading teams to deliver complex and high visibility design/construction projects in support of the research mission at NREL’s two campuses: South Table Mountain Campus and the Flatirons Campus as well as leased facilities in Fairbanks Alaska, Washington DC and Denver Colorado. Reporting to the Site Operations Project Management and Construction (PMC) Group Manager, the Project Management Lead has the following responsibilities: Manage a group of 10-20 staff. Ensure project deliverables are being met related to cost, schedule and that the technical scope meets its objectives. Assign staff to projects to ensure the project execution goals are met. Responsible to work with Acquisition Services to procure an appropriate group to Task Ordering Agreement Subcontractors to mee the needs of the Capital Investment Portfolio of Projects. Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise the project management team to ensure the following items are properly managed/delivered in accordance with the NLR Project Management Handbook and Capital Investment Program Guidelines: Communicate accurate and reliable project status and performance issues to internal stakeholders (Project IPT and NREL staff) and other key stakeholders including NLR Leadership and DOE GFO. Achieve the Project Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) within targeted baseline completion schedules and total project costs (TPCs). Lead the development of project cost and schedule baselines and maintain as necessary. Implement an approved EVMS, oversee project performance measurements reported from Control Account Managers (CAMS), and provide monthly progress reports to stakeholders. Identify project issues and adverse trends and ensure the timely development and implementations of effective recovery plan(s) when needed Manage and direct procurements, subcontracts, services, and other financial obligations necessary for completion of the Portfolio of Projects. Utilize project management processes consistent with DOE 413.3b and/or an appropriately tailored version. Develops and maintains all required project documentation (e.g., the Project Management (or Execution) Plans, Risk Management Plans, Transition to Operations Plans, etc. Identify and pro-actively manage project risks utilizing the Risk Management Plan and develop cost and schedule contingency estimates and update the relevant stakeholders. Maintain overall responsibility for identifying the human resources necessary to complete the assigned Portfolio of Projects including direct and matrix assignment of NLR staff. Oversees project closeout including turnover to end user/operations and disposition of documents, records and materials/equipment. Conducts evaluations and documents lessons learned that can be applied to future NLR projects. Develop and maintain a supportive work environment Ensure applicable Laboratory ES&H and QA policies and procedures are followed and implemented on every project. Applicant must demonstrate leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities and possess superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills. Applicant should be self-motivated, decisive, and possess the ability to adapt to change and competing demands. Exemplifying leadership skills through actions and words as well as demonstrating the ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization is an important part of the role. Applicant should be able to read, analyze, and interpret common engineering reports, and construction documents as well as possess the ability to respond to common inquiries from stakeholders, regulatory agencies, or members of the research community. Applicant should possess the ability to effectively present information to executive level management and Department of Energy representatives is a critical requirement. Guides successful completion of high impact project(s) that have a significant impact in advancing NREL's mission and institutional reputation. Knowledge: Expert understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices, and standards. Extensive knowledge of the laws, regulations, principles, procedures, and practices of engineering, project management, or construction discipline relevant to applicant’s area of expertise. Outstanding interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming and communication skills. Experience with multiple project delivery methods including Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build project delivery methodologies including performance-based Design-Build. Knowledge of managing projects for government entities such as DOE and familiarity with EVMS. Problem Solving: Develop solutions to problems of unusual complexity which require a high degree of ingenuity, creativity and innovation. Challenges are frequently unique, and solutions may serve as precedent for future decisions. Discretion: Exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives of assignment. Completed work is reviewed from a relatively long-term perspective for desired results. Controls periodic assessments of project(s)/program(s) performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's in engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, civil, structural), project/construction management, or another related field Degree and 14 or more years of experience in Progressive work experience related to management of projects from initiation through design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout for R&D, commercial, or industrial facilities.
• Recent experience completing large capital asset construction projects under DOE order 413.3b.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI).
• Master's in engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, civil, structural), project/construction management, or another related field Degree and 12 years in Progressive work experience related to management of projects from initiation through design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout for R&D, commercial, or industrial facilities.
• Recent experience completing large capital asset construction projects under DOE order 413.3b.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI).
• PhD in engineering discipline (mechanical, electrical, civil, structural), project/construction management, or another related field and 9 years of experience in Progressive work experience related to management of projects from initiation through design, construction, commissioning, and project closeout for R&D, commercial, or industrial facilities.
• Recent experience completing large capital asset construction projects under DOE order 413.3b.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI).
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Applicant must possess a valid Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from Project Management Institute (PMI) or have the ability to obtain such certification within six months of employment.
• Applicant must demonstrate leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities and possess superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills.
• Applicant should be self-motivated, decisive, and possess the ability to adapt to change and competing demands.
• Exemplifying leadership skills through actions and words as well as demonstrating the ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization is an important part of the role.
• Applicant should be able to read, analyze, and interpret common engineering reports, and construction documents as well as possess the ability to respond to common inquiries from stakeholders, regulatory agencies, or members of the research community.
• Applicant should possess the ability to effectively present information to executive level management and Department of Energy representatives is a critical requirement.
• Expert understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices, and standards.
• Extensive knowledge of the laws, regulations, principles, procedures, and practices of engineering, project management, or construction discipline relevant to applicant’s area of expertise.
• Outstanding interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming and communication skills.
• Experience with multiple project delivery methods including Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build project delivery methodologies including performance-based Design-Build.
• Knowledge of managing projects for government entities such as DOE and familiarity with EVMS.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in managing projects within the Federal Government and preferably Department of Energy and highly technical projects typical of a research/laboratory environment.
• Experience with design and construction of capital assets, preferably under DOE O 413.3B.
• Project Management Professional Certification.
• Professional Certifications in Engineering, Architecture or related fields.
• Expert understanding and application of project management principles, concepts, practices and standards.
• Expert knowledge of technical field and related disciplines. Exhibits an exceptional degree of ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness.
• Outstanding interpersonal, conflict resolution, teaming and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a group of 10-20 staff.
• Ensure project deliverables are being met related to cost, schedule and that the technical scope meets its objectives.
• Assign staff to projects to ensure the project execution goals are met.
• Responsible to work with Acquisition Services to procure an appropriate group to Task Ordering Agreement Subcontractors to mee the needs of the Capital Investment Portfolio of Projects.
• Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise the project management team to ensure the following items are properly managed/delivered in accordance with the NLR Project Management Handbook and Capital Investment Program Guidelines: Communicate accurate and reliable project status and performance issues to internal stakeholders (Project IPT and NREL staff) and other key stakeholders including NLR Leadership and DOE GFO.
• Achieve the Project Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) within targeted baseline completion schedules and total project costs (TPCs).
• Lead the development of project cost and schedule baselines and maintain as necessary.
• Implement an approved EVMS, oversee project performance measurements reported from Control Account Managers (CAMS), and provide monthly progress reports to stakeholders.
• Identify project issues and adverse trends and ensure the timely development and implementations of effective recovery plan(s) when needed Manage and direct procurements, subcontracts, services, and other financial obligations necessary for completion of the Portfolio of Projects.
• Utilize project management processes consistent with DOE 413.3b and/or an appropriately tailored version.
• Develops and maintains all required project documentation (e.g., the Project Management (or Execution) Plans, Risk Management Plans, Transition to Operations Plans, etc.
• Identify and pro-actively manage project risks utilizing the Risk Management Plan and develop cost and schedule contingency estimates and update the relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain overall responsibility for identifying the human resources necessary to complete the assigned Portfolio of Projects including direct and matrix assignment of NLR staff.
• Oversees project closeout including turnover to end user/operations and disposition of documents, records and materials/equipment.
• Conducts evaluations and documents lessons learned that can be applied to future NLR projects.
• Develop and maintain a supportive work environment Ensure applicable Laboratory ES&H and QA policies and procedures are followed and implemented on every project.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement.
• NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component.
• Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree