Senior Project Manager

Do you want to lead meaningful projects that improve the quality of life for Seattle residents—while helping build a more sustainable, equitable city? Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for a skilled and mission-driven Senior Project Manager under the cities job classification, (Strategic Advisor 2, Engineering and Plans Review BU-P SPU).In this role you will lead infrastructure projects that protect our city’s water, improve drainage and sewer systems, and build a more resilient urban environment. If you’re someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, design, and hands-on project execution, this is your chance to make a lasting difference.

In this role, you’ll take the lead on SPU’s most complex and high-profile capital projects that address critical challenges like urban flooding, combined sewer overflows, water main replacement, drainage and wastewater capacity, workforce facilities improvement and interagency infrastructure coordination initiatives. These projects don’t just maintain systems - they transform communities. With a focus on equity and SPU’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, your work will uplift neighborhoods, restore aquatic habitats, and strengthen the city’s ability to adapt to a changing climate.

You’ll be part of SPU’s Project Management and Controls Division, a collaborative and forward-thinking team that’s responsible for translating big ideas into sustainable, impactful results. As a trusted leader, you'll guide cross-functional teams, manage public investments responsibly, and keep Seattle’s essential water infrastructure flowing strong.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations. This position reports to the Capital Delivery Manager.

An online application including response to the supplemental questionnaire must be fully completed for consideration.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), please visit:

• SPU Workplace Expectations(Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader)
• Strategic Business Plan
• Shape Our Water Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values andRace and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why join us?

We know work isn’t only about what you do, it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free public transportation options
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

• Lead the delivery of complex capital projects across Drainage and Wastewater, Water, and Solid Waste lines of business, encompassing facilities, utility infrastructure, and site development, with a focus on integrating technical systems, environmental requirements, and operational continuity.
• Monitor performance and support data-driven decisions using earned value management, critical path scheduling, and cost forecasting.
• Provide technical and strategic leadership aligned with SPU’s infrastructure priorities. Create project management plans (PMPs), document project scope, cost, schedule, risk, and team member roles.
• Monitor and control the project team's performance in executing the plan and report on status to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Utility and City staff and lead diverse and multi-functional project teams, which include internal and external stakeholders, in delivering capital projects through planning, design, construction and close-out phases.
• Manage complex capital projects across DWW, Water, and Solid Waste systems, integrating real property considerations such as land use, easements, site acquisition, and coordination with adjacent properties, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with consultants, including scope, schedule, quality, and cost.
• Lead acquisition of complex environmental and land use permits, including coordination with regulatory agencies, environmental compliance (e.g., SEPA), and management of environmentally sensitive sites (e.g., wetlands, contaminated soils).
• Support delivery of projects within broader capital programs and portfolios, including coordination with planning, asset management, and capital investment strategies.
• Manage construction in active operational environments, ensuring continuity of services, safety, and coordination with operations staff.
• Potentially supervise, coach, and mentor staff (Initially this position will not be supervising but this could change in the future).

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain the complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, activities, and work location may change as conditions require.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience: Five (5) or more years project or construction management or related experience.

Education:Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Business Administration, Urban Planning or related field OR (a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Or:A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.

Licenses or Certificates:Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

A combination of the following qualifications would be desired, but are not a requirement:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work with people from diverse professional, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Comprehension of capital delivery life cycle: planning, design, construction, and closeout.
• Experience in design and construction management, including contract negotiation, procurement, and resource planning and knowledge of construction practices, building codes, environmental regulations, and safety standards.
• Experience with project scheduling using critical path methods and tools such as Primavera or Microsoft Project and strong problem-solving and risk management skills to identify, assess, and address project challenges.
• Experience leading complex capital projects involving utility infrastructure systems.
• Familiarity with municipal, state, and federal regulatory requirements affecting infrastructure projects.
• Experience working with multiple and varied stakeholders including capital project team members, vendors, consultants, permitting agencies, community members, and customers.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and external consultants without direct supervisory authority; skilled in team coordination and conflict resolution.
• Experience planning and facilitating public meetings; capable of translating technical concepts into clear, accessible language and incorporating community feedback into project delivery.
• Demonstrated commitment to public and environmental health, affordability, accountability, and race and social equity in your work.
• Ability to coach employees, encourage teamwork and promote high standards of customer service.
• PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification desirable but not required.
  

Workplace Environment/Physical Demands:

• This position works in an office location and may occasionally require field visits to other facilities and project sites.
• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Overnight travel may be required.

This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be required to come into the office a minimum of three days per week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their manager.

Application Expectation:

A complete online application must include a cover letter, resume, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire for consideration.

The full salary range for this position is $118,118 - $177,229Annually.

Who may apply:The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Zachary Brown @ zach.brown@seattle.gov.

Employer

City of Seattle

Address

Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website

http://www.seattle.gov/jobs| Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities atwww.seattle.gov/util/ and check us out on social media.