Environmental Senior Program Manager

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science, and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people. As an employee-owned company, we strive to cultivate diverse teams and encourage collaboration in an equitable and inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership, and flexibility. That’s how we make a difference to our clients, people, and the planet.

At Woodard & Curran, there’s nothing we love more than a tough engineering challenge. We handle a wide range of water and environmental issues, solving complex problems with creativity and tenacity. That’s how we make a difference to our clients, people, and planet. Our company was founded on a simple concept: provide a safe and enjoyable place to work with opportunity, integrity, and commitment, and we will attract talented people. Those people are at the heart of our firm, solving some of the most pressing water and environmental challenges for our clients.

What’s in it for you: 

Woodard & Curran is offering a unique opportunity to join our Environment Business, which provides high-quality environmental services to private and public sector clients across the nation. You will manage a portfolio of complex environmental projects that benefit our communities. Our client managers, technical leaders, and team of talented engineers and scientists will help you provide exceptional service to our clients. You will be an active participant in our delivery system improvement programs and continuous learning opportunities.

Who are we looking for:

The Senior Program Leader is responsible for all aspects of program management for assigned  Tier 1 client(s) from planning, contracting, implementation, closure, and post-project close-out with a focus on safety, quality, financials, and client satisfaction. Works with the client’s program team, W&C’s client management team, and W&C’s integrated delivery service team to strategize, prioritize, implement, and maintain program initiatives that adhere to organizational objectives. Works collaboratively with and coordinates regularly with client manager(s) to ensure that regular communication occurs to link strategy to deliverables. Develops program assessment protocols for evaluation and improvement, maintains organizational standards of satisfaction, quality, and performance, oversees multiple projects, ensuring program goals are reached while managing budget and funding channels for maximum productivity. Provides support to Project Manager(s) and project teams to ensure consistent and efficient program and project delivery. In addition, responsible for the technical execution of the project and its deliverables . Oversees all business aspects of the program and projects, including risk management, scope, schedule, budget, change orders, project closure, billing, and payment, and ensures consistency across projects and Project Managers supporting the key client(s). Oversees multiple Project Managers with minimal oversight.

Offering Flexible Remote Schedule

This virtual work schedule will support clients in the following locations: New Jersey

Travel up to 10%: local travel

• Annual Program revenue and profitability goal.
• Budget and schedule achieved on managed projects.  
• Meet personal direct hours. 
• Client satisfaction and consistency across the project portfolio.
• Positive feedback from project team participants, including developed partnerships with the client management team. 
• Safety compliance. 
• PQA compliance.
• Support the achievement of client booking goals.
• Ensures that Woodard & Curran’s programs, policies, and processes align with strategic objectives and values.
• Collaborates/communicates regularly with the Client Manager(s) to stay current with client strategies, goals, and client satisfaction. Understands the client’s business strategies, operations, goals, and metrics to incorporate those into our project deliverables and communications. 
• Ensures the client program management and project objectives are appropriately defined, measured, and implemented to comply with company and client processes and procedures and meet current federal/state/local regulations.
• Ensures the company's Project Managers and employees understand the client/program philosophy, the overall program, and subsequent projects are in alignment with client objectives, and projects are consistently delivered with a high level of client satisfaction.
• Oversees the project management of multi-disciplinary W&C Project Managers. 
• Manage all aspects of the program, including communicating expectations and status on project issues.
• Follow and participate in developing the best practices for the W&C project management framework.
• Responsible for communicating with the client and W&C’s client team throughout the project's life cycle, managing expectations, and discussing project updates and changes.
• Responsible for managing all aspects of multiple projects within Practice and between Practices.
• Act as a valued problem solver for clients and W&C teams.
• Perform risk management and contract review tasks.
• Oversee adherence to environmental and safety rules and regulations.
• Ensure adherence to PQA for assigned projects.
• Keep abreast of project management approaches and tools, and recommend improvements to W&C.
• Ensure staff are trained and have the proper tools before performing work.
• Expected to be a subject matter expert on Project Management within the organization.

• Manage program and project teams for optimal return-on-investment, and coordinate and delegate cross-project initiatives.
• Develop and manage project budgets and be accountable for delivering against established business goals/objectives. 
• Support sales and marketing efforts in coordination with the Opportunity Owner and/ or Business Development. 
• Support the Project Manager with contractual issues with the Client, vendor, and subs, as applicable, with support from the Legal Team. 
• Accountable for scope, schedule, and budget delivery to clients. 
• Responsible for developing and maintaining favorable client relationships that lead to future work with existing clients. 
• Advise technical leaders on delivery system issues. 
• Advise Operations, People Leader, and Regional Leader of schedule changes and potential financial concerns.
• Engage in Client, Practice, and Business Center planning, as appropriate. 

• Mentor Project Managers on program and project management methodologies and processes. 
• Lead, coordinate, and review the work of teams of engineers, scientists, technicians, and others, and be accountable for their performance on projects managed.
• Support training efforts of the Project Management Office as requested. 
• Please provide feedback on project work to team members and their leaders as needed and at project end.

• Work with clients to capture their needs and requested delivery dates.
• Support the preparation and delivery of consistent proposals and presentations.
• Support Business Development activities as needed, including sales calls, client and proposal strategies, proposal preparation, presentations, etc. 
• Develop/maintain business relationships with subs and vendors.
• Listen for and identify ways to work with clients on new programs or projects.  
• Maintain communications with the Client Manager on client needs, program, and project progress.
• Provide updates on ongoing programs and projects through the channels our clients prefer, including emails, online real-time dashboards, bi-weekly meetings, and more.
• Analyze, evaluate, and overcome program risks, and produce program reports for management and stakeholders. 

• Plan, track, and manage program schedules and delivery with other internal stakeholders, setting the right expectations around delivery with clients and ensuring they are met.
• Work closely with client manager(s), cross-functional teams, and assigned Project Managers to plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for new initiatives. 
• Ensure Project Managers are developing and following project safety plans in alignment with client and W&C policies. 
• Identify key requirements needed from cross-functional teams, external partners, and vendors.
• Track performance to contract requirements.
• Ensure QA/QC activities are occurring across team deliverables.
• Manage/track scope, project schedule, budget, sub/ vendors, and accounts receivable, prepare and deliver client invoices, and maintain the expected profit margin.
• Ensure project team members are provided with quality guidance, necessary coaching/ training, and clear expectations regarding the client program. 
• Ensure change management throughout the project, provide a point of escalation, and communicate with the client and client management team, as appropriate. 
• Participate in project close-out meetings and document and share improvement recommendations with PMO. 
• Work with other Senior Program Leaders to identify risks and opportunities across multiple projects within the business unit.
• The list of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive, and other duties may be assigned as needed.

• 20 years of professional work experience.
• 15+ years as a Project Manager with a proven track record of successful project management.   
• BS degree or equivalent as a minimum, MS preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, time management, facilitation, organizational, and innovative planning skills.
• Outstanding working knowledge of change management principles and performance evaluation processes.
• Proven proposal writing experience.

Benefits & Wellbeing

Retirement Savings:

• 401(k) Pre-tax or Roth Contributions: The company will match equal to 100% of the first 3% of salary contributed; all employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan and are 100% vested in the value of their own contributions and any employer matching contributions.

Time away from work:

• Vacation time is provided to full and part-time regular employees. Vacation is accrued based on the number of hours worked per week as well as prior years of experience.

• Woodard & Curran offers paid sick time to eligible employees who are absent due to their own non-work related illness, injury, or medical procedure.

• Woodard & Curran provides up to 80 hours of Paid Parental Leave for child bonding in a 12-month period.

• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance from Sun Life to assist with replacing a portion of your income in the event of non-job-related illness or injury. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled and eligible immediately.

Coverage and support for your needs and well-being:

Personal and Family health: Company offers three medical plan options based on geography; plus HSA and PSA plans are available based on eligibility, additional options include dental and vision plans.

The company provides basic employee group life insurance and AD&D benefits; additional voluntary life insurance for employees and families is available through Sun Life.

WayForward powered by Dario: EAP Program combined with personalized mental health and wellbeing coaching.

LiveWell wellbeing program: credit incentive is available, up to $600 annually – nutrition and fitness reimbursement, and access to the Virgin Pulse wellness platform.

Education: Tuition assistance offers eligible employees up to 100% reimbursement of tuition, books, and fees up to $5250 per year for courses related to the employee’s job or planned career development.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement

Woodard & Curran is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans are encouraged to apply. We are committed to ensuring our employment practices are non-discriminatory and based solely on job-related factors. To read our entire Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement, click here. To view the Workplace Discrimination Is Illegal poster and supplement, click here.

If you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to apply, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Woodard & Curran believe that complex teams working together in an equitable, inclusive space provide the best opportunity for achieving our vision of clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people.  Our success is tied to a culture that embraces our differences so everyone can bring their whole, authentic selves to work. When our people are supported to reach their full potential, we provide the most innovative, sound, and effective solutions.

Non-Solicitation Disclosure:

Please be advised that we do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruitment agencies. Any resumes or candidate profiles submitted without a signed contract in place will be considered unsolicited and will not be eligible for any referral fees. Recruitment agencies must have a valid, signed agreement with our company prior to following the submission process to consider potential candidates.