Principal Program Manager

At HDR, our 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. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.
In the role of a Principal Program Manager, 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


Preferred Qualifications

- Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration or closely related field


- 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

Keywords: Water, Wastewater, Project Manager, Program Manager, Construction Manager, Pump Station, Pipeline, Treatment, Stormwater, Environmental, Utilities, Design,