Atkins has been providing infrastructure planning, engineering, construction, environmental consulting, urban planning, architecture, and program management services to public and private clients across the United States for more than 50 years. Globally, Atkins is the largest UK-based engineering and design consultancy and one of the world's largest design firm with nearly 18,000 employees worldwide. We have the depth and breadth of expertise to respond to the most technically challenging and time-critical infrastructure projects and the urgent transition to a low-carbon economy.
Atkins seeks an energetic and highly motivated self-starter to join our Atlanta, GA Public & Private group as a Project Director.
Major Function/Role
Under general direction, manages complex and unconventional technology or delivery systems for a single significant project within a defined technical specialty. Projects typically involve high levels of regulatory agency involvement or very complex technical requirements. Typical projects might include construction management engagements, significant design-build or design-build-operate-maintain undertakings, major and unique structures, major wastewater treatment facilities, etc. Provides leadership, direction, and technical guidance to senior project managers and project managers within assigned area of responsibility to ensure that quality management and technical services are provided to clients and that operating performance targets are met. Mentors senior project managers and project managers associated with sophisticated and unconventional projects. Projects of this magnitude generally involve net revenues totaling between $2.5 million to $5 million annually and require specialized expertise.
Major Function/Role
Internal Staff Leadership
Assists management team in identifying staffing needs based on future workload and manpower projections for project staffing. Reviews managers’ recommendations to recruit, hire, transfer, or terminate project staff; approves/disapproves or endorses recommendations, and presents to senior management for approval as required by established authorization guidelines.
Reviews and makes decision on recommendations for salary offers for new hire candidates, as well as salary and position adjustment actions for project staff, subject to senior management review and approval. Recommends personnel actions as established by authorization guidelines.
Conducts semi-annual performance reviews and annual career planning sessions with project staff within assigned projects. Provides staff with ongoing performance feedback and counsel to promote improved performance and career development.
Helps staff identify and pursue technical and professional development activities consistent with their career development goals and project objectives/needs.
Advises project staff concerning company policies and procedures; monitors and enforces compliance.
Project Management
Assists project staff in developing work plans; reviews and approves schedules, budgets, project milestone dates, and work products.
Oversees financial performance of projects; assists project staff in identifying potential problems to ensure remedial actions are promptly taken to avoid financial losses and client dissatisfaction. Monitors and enforces compliance with established quality control standards, ensuring that appropriate quality assurance activities are being performed throughout the project. Reviews QC plans and periodic QA compliance audits.
Assists assigned project staff in facilitating work sharing with other operating units.
Secures resource support from other operating units. Establishes work sharing commitments and negotiates outsourcing budgets with technical managers.
Marketing and Client Maintenance
Develops, implements, and monitors annual and strategic marketing plans for targeted projects; participates in the development of Strategic Plan.
Actively pursues, investigates, and evaluates new or expanded opportunities for associated projects and services within the firm by maintaining contacts with current and prospective client decision makers; identifies and works toward the resolution of client relations problems.
Reviews proposals and selects interview teams; reviews and recommends project marketing budgets subject to approval by senior management.
Maintains visibility and professional courtesy by actively participating in civic and professional organizations and encourages project staff to do the same.
Maintains regional/national prominence and recognition through published technical work and/or presentation of papers at national or regional technical conferences.
Contracts and Financial
Conducts contract negotiations with clients and sub-consultants.
Develops and recommends operational budgets for approval by senior management. Reviews and makes decision on proposed project budgets. Monitors monthly performance against budget to ensure project profitability.
Manages the project as a profit center; controls G&A costs; reviews and manages revenue stream.
Approves purchase requests for capital items as specified in the Authorization Matrix.
Manages accounts receivables and client billings; reviews and makes decision concerning final write-offs and past due accounts receivables as specified in the Authorization Matrix.
Performs such other duties as the supervisor may from time to time deem necessary.
Job Duties
Approves project budgets.
Makes approval decisions on exempt personnel overtime, local convention attendance, and professional license payments.
Reviews and approves/disapproves staff recommendations for staffing and salary actions, out-of-town seminar/convention attendance, go/no-go project opportunities, purchase requests for capital items, and final write-offs on past-due accounts, as specified in the Authorization Matrix.
Accountable for project team productivity, project profitability, and results against budget and marketing plan.
Typically gives direct supervision to two or more senior project managers, project managers or technical professionals, indirectly supervising their staff groups. Project teams typically consist of 25 to 50 people.
Responsible for performance management and career development of assigned internal staff.
Interfaces with senior technical professionals, technical managers, and administrative staff and managers as necessary.
Represents firm to clients. Represents the client to regulatory agencies, public officials, sub consultants, and the general public. Maintains contacts with key clients, decision-makers, and prospective new clients.
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in field of practice. Graduate degree preferred. Management coursework and/or MBA a plus.
This level may be achieved by technical professionals or managers with twelve years of experience since B.S. or eleven years since M.S., with at least three of these years in the Senior Project Manager position with highly complex project management responsibility.
Special Skills
Excellent technical and interpersonal skills, public speaking and persuasive ability; very strong financial management, team management, and leadership skills; ability to manage and coordinate efforts of various projects to produce budgeted profits and overall results. Possesses specific expertise to the extent that the individual is regarded as a regional or potentially national expert in a specific discipline, contract delivery method, particular type of project, planning process, design method, or modeling technique. Personal computer proficiency is required.
Professional Registrations
Professional registration in field of practice is required, if available, e.g., P.E., A.I.C.P., R.A., or R.L.A. Certification as a “Project Management Professional” (PMP) or “Certified Construction Manager” (CCM) required within one year of assuming this position.
Atkins offers its employees a robust rewards package which includes: a competitive salary; a broad benefits package including medical/RX, dental, vision, life, disability, legal, hospitalization and other valuable voluntary options; generous time-off programs; flexible work schedules; 401(k) with employer match; professional and career development opportunities through our corporate university, as well as a highly-regarded tuition reimbursement program; and an unmatched culture focused on client-service, quality, and tireless pursuit of excellence in all we do. Atkins is a drug free workplace.
Please view Atkins Equal Opportunity Statement here:
http://careers.atkinsglobal.com/File.ashx?path=Root/Documents/north-america-welcome-new-employee/Equal_Opp_Stmt.pdf
