Technical Project Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Project Director, Infrastructure (West)
Long Beach, Oakland
Regular, Full-Time
Hybrid
Do you want the opportunity to co-create with our experts on some of the most prestigious infrastructure programs in North America? Can you navigate the dynamic landscape of the market by adapting strategies swiftly, capitalizing on emerging opportunities, and mitigating risks? And are you committed to accelerating growth and promoting innovation? Then, this is the place to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow.
Lead with a team of experienced leaders
We are seeking a highly motivated Project Director, Infrastructure (West) to join our growing North American team in California. In this leadership role, you will manage the design and delivery of complex infrastructure projects across California, including projects within heavy civil, highways, bridges, tunnels, transit and associated civil structures. Our projects are delivered through a mix of traditional and Alternative Project Delivery methods. You will be responsible for assisting with management of multidisciplinary teams as well as managing the delivery of your own tasks in terms of budget, quality, and timelines. Extensive project management and technical skills required.
Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Lead and manage complex multi-disciplinary projects for public and private clients, including Alternative Delivery Methods, Design-Bid-Build, Design & Build, P3, and similar delivery models.
• Oversee all phases of technical project delivery-from conceptual design and preliminary engineering through final design and construction support-including civil and structural infrastructure elements such as alignment studies, structural configurations, utility relocations, grading, and drainage.
• Build and sustain positive relationships with public agency clients and key stakeholders, including Design & Build contractors, third-party utility agencies, and community groups.
• Support business development initiatives with Market Directors by contributing to strategy, positioning, proposal development, interviews, and client engagement for major programs across California.
• Provide leadership to multidisciplinary teams spanning civil, structural, geotechnical, and architectural disciplines, managing teams of 5-25+ staff and subcontractors to ensure adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards on infrastructure programs exceeding $100M in construction value.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for client project managers, responsible for contract management, fee negotiations, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with internal global centers of excellence to leverage specialized expertise and ensure high-quality project delivery while managing local compliance, permitting requirements, and quality management systems.
• Mentor and guide junior project managers and technical staff to encourage professional growth and promote a culture of delivery excellence.

Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future.
Like us, you believe that leadership growth comes from setting a clear and meaningful direction for your team and supporting them in taking ownership of their work. You always delegate responsibility and ensure an open and safe dialogue, and you coach your people to achieve their aspirations through constructive, fact-based feedback. Attracting and nurturing a diverse group of high-potential team members is at the top of your agenda, as is creating an inclusive, caring, and trusting culture in your team.
On top of that, you will have:

• A minimum of 20+ years of experience in transportation infrastructure, including at least 10 years in senior project management roles.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering
• A Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) for California
• Demonstrated ability to work with Design & Build contractors, public clients, and agencies in California, and to manage multidisciplinary design teams.
• Experience delivering projects through Alternate Project Delivery methods such as Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, or CMGC.
• Proficient written and oral communication skills with the ability to engage multiple stakeholders effectively.
• Self-motivation, willingness to adjust, and the capacity to manage multiple tasks in environments with shifting priorities.
• Great organizational, time management, and team-building skills, with demonstrated leadership ability.
• Ability to work effectively with remote teams and willingness to travel predominantly within North America.

A place to work and so much more
At COWI, we work together with our customers to shape a sustainable and liveable world. We do it by applying our knowledge and curiosity - and sometimes even our courage - to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow. We support our customers' transition towards increased sustainability. We strive to lead by example by embedding environmental management, social responsibility and good governance into our business practices and the options we provide to our customers.
We value differences and development and cultivate an environment of belonging and having fun. Because that is what brings out the best in you, at work and at home.
With offices primarily located in the Nordic region, the UK, North America and India, we are currently more than 7,500 people who bring their expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment into play.
What we also offer:
Being part of the COWI community offers more than just a competitive salary. We take care of our people both professionally and personally.
Some of our benefits include:
Flexible working arrangement | Top-up parental and childbirth recovery leave | Fantastic close-knit team with a wealth of knowledge to share | Full time hires get minimum 5 weeks vacation to start | Floating holiday to celebrate employee diversity | Paid sick leave | Annual fitness subsidy - yes, you can use this for a ski pass, yoga, or gym membership | 401K contribution matching with generous company match | Personal and professional development fund | Parking or public transit allowance | Medical, dental, and vision insurance 80% employer-paid premiums | Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance | Referral incentive program| Frequent social events
Base compensation: $240,000 to $277,000 for Long Beach and Oakland locations only. Actual compensation is subject to variations due to education, experience, skill set, and location.
Got more questions?
Get to know us even better at our website, www.cowi.com, where you can learn more about our projects, our strategy, what we want to achieve and what life is like at COWI.
Equal opportunity employer
COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, COWI complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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