Senior Project Manager (Strategic Advisor 2)

Position Description

Do you want to lead meaningful projects that improve the quality of life for Seattle residents—while helping build a more sustainable, equitable city?

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for skilled and mission-driven Senior Project Managers (Strategic Advisor 2) to lead infrastructure projects that protect our city’s water, improve drainage and sewer systems, and build a more resilient urban environment. If you’re someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, design, and hands-on project execution, this is your chance to make a lasting difference.

In this role, you’ll take the lead on SPU’s most complex and high-profile capital projects that address critical challenges like urban flooding, combined sewer overflows, water main replacement, drainage and wastewater capacity, workforce facilities improvement and interagency infrastructure coordination initiatives. These projects don’t just maintain systems — they transform communities. With a focus on equity and SPU’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, your work will uplift neighborhoods, restore aquatic habitats, and strengthen the city’s ability to adapt to a changing climate.

You’ll be part of SPU’s Project Management and Controls Division, a collaborative and forward-thinking team that’s responsible for translating big ideas into sustainable, impactful results. As a trusted leader, you'll guide cross-functional teams, manage public investments responsibly, and keep Seattle’s essential water infrastructure flowing strong.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), checkout the:

• SPU Website
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

We know work isn't only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities (As Appropriate)
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

Job Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of project delivery—initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing—ensuring projects are delivered in scope, on time, within budget, and to defined quality standards.
• Monitor performance and support data-driven decisions using earned value management, critical path scheduling, and cost forecasting.
• Provide technical and strategic leadership aligned with SPU’s infrastructure priorities.
• Create project management plans (PMPs), document project scope, cost, schedule, risk, and team member roles. Monitor and control the project team's performance in executing the plan and report on status to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Utility and City staff and lead diverse and multi-functional project teams, which include internal and external stakeholders, in delivering capital projects through planning, design, construction and close-out phases.
• Facilitate project meetings, maintain action item and decision logs, and manage communications with stakeholders.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with consultants, including scope, schedule, quality, and cost.
• Lead acquisition of environmental, interagency, and local permits and ensure projects comply with appropriate laws, permits, regulations and codes, as well as SPU's protocols for managing projects. Lead the resolution of complex project implementation issues.
• Potentially supervise, coach, and mentor staff (Initially this position will not be supervising but this could change in the future).

• Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Experience: Five (5) or more years project or construction management or related experience.

AND

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Business Administration, Urban Planning or related field OR (a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications: SPU recognizes that not every candidate will have the following desired qualifications. The ideal candidate will have some of the following qualifications and a strong desire to learn the others:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work with people from diverse professional, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Comprehension of capital delivery life cycle: planning, design, construction, and closeout.
• Experience in design and construction management, including contract negotiation, procurement, and resource planning and knowledge of construction practices, building codes, environmental regulations, and safety standards.
• Experience with project scheduling using critical path methods and tools such as Primavera or Microsoft Project and strong problem-solving and risk management skills to identify, assess, and address project challenges.
• Familiarity with municipal, state, and federal regulatory requirements affecting infrastructure projects.
• Experience working with multiple and varied stakeholders including capital project team members, vendors, consultants, permitting agencies, community members, and customers.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and external consultants without direct supervisory authority; skilled in team coordination and conflict resolution.
• Experience planning and facilitating public meetings; capable of translating technical concepts into clear, accessible language and incorporating community feedback into project delivery.
• Demonstrated commitment to public and environmental health, affordability, accountability, and race and social equity in your work.
• Ability to coach employees, encourage teamwork and promote high standards of customer service.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.
• This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. City employees may have the option to work remotely two days per week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather and hazardous construction sites.

License, Certification and Other Requirements:

Additional Information

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The full salary range for this position is: $114,004.80 - $171,069.84 Annually.

How to Apply:

• Submit complete City of Seattle online application
• Upload a current resume, AND
• Upload a cover letter that speaks to your interest and experience as it relates to this position. In your cover letter, please address the following:

• How you meet the qualifications for the position.
• The largest project which you managed in terms of dollar value, complexity, and challenges.

*** You must include both a resume and cover letter. If you do not submit these documents, your application will not be considered. Please ensure that BOTH documents have successfully been uploaded before submitting your application

***

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Adam Sallean at adam.sallean@seattle.gov

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities at www.seattle.gov/util/and check us out on social media.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.