Economic Development Project Manager Jobs in California

Strong communities don't just happen. They're thoughtfully planned and future-ready. We bring life to urban downtowns, suburban hubs, small towns, and rural areas through master-planned communities, mixed-use developments, parks, and recreation facilities. The result: vibrant economic centers, resilient neighborhoods, and welcoming places that feel like home.
If you're passionate about empowering communities, join us to discover a career with endless opportunities to make communities more equitable, resilient, and livable. Our established Community Development group is seeking an experienced Project Manager to support development projects for various private and public clients. In this role, you will contribute to the delivery of preliminary engineering, final design, construction drawings, construction support, and close-out services for development projects. Our team supports a diverse range of public clients and project types, offering motivated Project Managers the opportunity to lead new and meaningful project pursuits. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on our local, national, and global communities.
Your Opportunity
The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in land development projects and will support the Community Development teams from other Stantec offices across the western U.S. These teams support a wide range of clients in the private sector, delivering a wide variety of project types including subdivisions, site development, industrial sites, healthcare campuses, corporate campuses, and commercial developments both locally and nationally.
As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for successfully delivering projects through the initiation, planning, designing, permitting, construction administration, and close-out phases. As a motivated and energetic team member, you will be involved in preparing technical design solutions, including defining project scope, schedule, and budgets; supporting quality management processes; and preparing technical studies and construction documents. You will work with clients and stakeholders to effectively manage engineering tasks and deliverables, with a strong emphasis on quality, communication, and collaboration.
We are eager to grow and develop an emerging leader that will be an integral part of expanding our local team. Join us to be part of a highly skilled team working on the region's most critical projects.
Your Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall project performance and implementation of our project management frameworks.
• Primary point of contact and representative to internal partners and clients.
• Serve as the technical lead for the project team responsible for preparing grading, drainage, wet utility, street improvements, and other civil engineering design documents, as well as hydrology/hydraulic storm water modeling and hydraulic modeling of pipe networks.
• Manage multiple projects with day-to-day project oversight managing the approved scope, budget and schedule.
• Develop, track, update, forecast and modify the project schedule and budget throughout all phases of the project.
• Prepare and communicate project status on a regular basis with the client, project team and Community Development leadership.
• Review and approve all invoices and change orders associated with the project.
• Assist in developing new work opportunities and building client relationships.

Your Capabilities

• Understanding of project scoping, identification of deliverables, tasks, scheduling, resourcing, and project budgeting with a grasp of how these change throughout any project.
• Strong problem-solving skills related to the delivery of infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of design and construction permitting / approval process and requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant design software (AutoCAD Civil3D, locally accepted hydrology and hydraulic programs, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and team oriented.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Local project resume and experience strongly preferred.
• Possess a valid driver's license and good driving record.

Education and Credentials

• Minimum 8 years of related experience in Civil Engineering
• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related degree
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.)

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
About Stantec
Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what's previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and futureproofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what's possible.
Pay Range:
• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas-$117,800.00 - $176,800.00 Annually
• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA areas-$126,400.00 - $189,600.00 Annually
Primary Location: United States | CA | Santa Maria
Other Locations: United States | CA | Santa Barbara
Organization: BC-2042 CommDev-US West
Employee Status: Regular
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: Yes
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 19/03/2026 04:03:28
Req ID: 1004946
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.