Project Manager - Roadway - job 1 of 3

The Project Manager - Roadway position at Olsson entails developing project scopes, schedules, and budgets, along with tracking progress for financial success. This role includes managing complex contracts, leading project execution by coordinating teams, and serving as the primary liaison among all parties. Additionally, you'll monitor project performance, manage change requests, and ensure quality work aligns with project specifications while maintaining relationships with clients.

To qualify for the Project Manager - Roadway position at Olsson, candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and have at least 8 years of experience in highway or municipal design. A registered Professional Engineer (PE) designation is essential. Strong communication skills, team collaboration ability, and experience with software like MicroStation or AutoCAD Civil 3D are also critical for this role.

As a Project Manager - Roadway at Olsson, you will oversee various transportation-related projects, such as urban and rural highways, interchanges, and municipal roadways. Your leadership will be crucial for high-priority projects spanning multiple teams, ensuring their successful deliverables and quality execution.

Olsson fosters professional growth by emphasizing mentorship in the Project Manager - Roadway role. You'll supervise and guide team members in project management best practices, utilizing our dedicated programs and resources. Our engaging work culture and commitment to employee development ensure that you and your team will continue to learn and flourish.

Olsson offers an attractive benefits package for the Project Manager - Roadway role, which includes health care, dental, and vision options, a 401(k) match, and a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles. You can also become an owner through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) after your first year, along with opportunities for bonuses and flexible work arrangements.

When answering this question, focus on a project that highlights your leadership skills and technical expertise. Describe the project's scope, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them, including your approach to timeline and budget management. It demonstrates your project management capability and depth of experience in roadway engineering.

In your answer, discuss the importance of clear and continuous communication. Emphasize your strategy for establishing regular updates, managing expectations, and actively listening to concerns from stakeholders, which helps maintain relationships and project alignment. Providing a specific example can enhance your response.

A solid answer would include identifying potential risks early in the project lifecycle, assessing their impact, and creating mitigation plans. Share any tools or methodologies you've applied successfully, outlining how proactive risk management has contributed to the success of your projects.

Talk about fostering a collaborative team environment, setting clear goals, and providing constructive feedback. Mention your commitment to mentorship and skill development, possibly highlighting an instance when your support improved a team member's performance or project outcome.

Illustrate your negotiation experience by discussing your approach to developing contracts, addressing disputes, and finding win-win solutions with clients or vendors. Highlight specific outcomes where you successfully negotiated terms that benefited the project and organization.

Safety is paramount in roadway projects. Share examples of how you've enforced safety standards on your projects, such as conducting regular safety briefings, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a culture of safety among the team and stakeholders.

Provide details about the project, its initial budget, challenges that arose, and what steps you took to keep the project within budget. Discuss the tools used to track expenses and your communication with stakeholders to reflect changes, showcasing your financial acumen.

Discuss the steps you take to implement quality assurance throughout the project lifecycle, such as regular reviews, setting clear quality standards, and soliciting feedback from team members and clients. Providing a strong example will demonstrate your commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Highlight the tools you use for tracking, such as project management software or Gantt charts, and explain your routine for reviewing progress regularly and making adjustments. Mention how you communicate these updates to stakeholders to maintain transparency.

Your response should illustrate how you effectively collaborate and leverage the strengths of various disciplines within your team. Highlight successful projects that benefited from diverse skill sets and the innovation that arose from cross-disciplinary communication.