Project Manager - Civil Engineering

SCJ Alliance • Lacey, WA

9d • $145,000 - $164,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

SCJ Alliance is seeking a civil engineering Project Manager and Lacey Team Lead to manage projects, lead a team of 10, and help grow the local civil practice. The role guides projects from early planning through design and permitting while providing technical direction, building client relationships, developing staff, and contributing to business development and practice planning.

The Lacey Civil Team Lead reports to the Civil Business Group Director and leads a team of project managers, project engineers, design engineers, and designers. Some team members report directly to the lead, while others report to managers within the group. In addition to managing personal projects, the lead coordinates workloads and staffing and works with managers on performance, career development, and building team capabilities. The lead also works with the Office Principal and Civil Business Group Director on business development, resource planning, annual budgeting, and training priorities.

The civil practice works on educational, commercial, industrial, residential, and public facilities, as well as municipal infrastructure, stormwater, and roadway design. The role is based in SCJ’s Lacey office, where approximately 60 employees work. Most Lacey staff work onsite three or more days per week; leaders are expected to be present most days, with some flexibility for a hybrid schedule. Travel for collaboration and conferences may occur, and local site visits are needed as projects require. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

SCJ Alliance is a 100% employee-owned firm. Its stated mission is “Serving our clients, communities and each other with creativity, knowledge, insight and perspective.”

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or equivalent.
• Professional Engineer license.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience, including project management.
• Experience in site civil or land development design and permitting.
• Ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, contracts, and client expectations.
• Leadership experience with responsibility for direct supervision and mentoring of technical staff.
• Ability to provide useful feedback, address performance concerns, and support employee development.
• Demonstrated ability to win consulting work through client relationship development, successful project pursuits, and repeat business.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including leading meetings and presenting to clients and other stakeholders.
• Practical problem-solving skills and judgment to move work forward independently while knowing when to involve others.
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or Civil 3D.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Vantagepoint and/or Mosaic; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Establish project objectives, scopes, budgets, schedules, and work plans; coordinate design and permitting; manage changing needs; and keep clients and project teams informed.
• Guide site civil design, resolve engineering challenges, and provide quality control and peer review of calculations, plans, and other deliverables.
• Build client relationships, understand client priorities, facilitate meetings, manage expectations, and address concerns early.
• Secure projects for the civil team by developing client relationships, expanding existing client work, and leading pursuits, proposals, interviews, and presentations.
• Partner with the Office Principal and civil management team to build a project pipeline aligned with team expertise, capacity, and growth goals.
• Oversee contracts, subcontractor agreements, project budgets, and scope changes while considering client relationships and the firm’s long-term success.
• Lead and develop staff by setting expectations, delegating, providing feedback, conducting performance evaluations, and supporting career development plans.
• Coordinate team workload, staffing, and forecasting with the Office Principal and other offices; match project needs with staff skills and capacity, clarify priorities, and address competing demands.
• Hold regular group and project meetings, communicate clearly, share knowledge, and encourage collaboration across offices and disciplines.
• Work with principals on annual budgeting and training needs and ensure team members complete required training.
• Model sound judgment, respectful communication, accountability, company policies, and best practices.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Company-provided life, AD&D, travel, EAP, and short- and long-term disability insurance policies.
• HSA and FSA options.
• PTO, paid holidays, and floating holidays.
• 401(k) plan and employee stock ownership plan, with annual ESOP contributions on behalf of eligible employees at no cost to them; participation and vesting are subject to plan requirements.
• Reimbursement for eligible licensing and professional organization expenses.
• Dog-friendly office.
• Leadership training, participation in strategic planning, and hands-on team management to develop leadership, business development, and financial management skills.
• Community involvement opportunities and a charitable matching program.

What This Job Offers

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